Cats may be small, but they can inflict a lot of damage if they get into a fight. Some wounds are obvious, while others may go unnoticed, hidden by their coat. Bite wounds often become infected due to the bacteria in a cat’s mouth that can contaminate the wound. If left untreated, they can pose serious health risks. So what do you do if your cat has been in a fight and how do you prevent fights from happening in the first place?
Why do cats fight?
There are a number of reasons cats get into fights, many of which relate to their natural feline behaviour. Here are some common reasons cats fight:
Territory – cats are territorial animals and can get in a fight with another cat to protect their homeland. It is common for cats to fight directly outside their home when they feel another cat has invaded their space. If your cat likes to wander, they may cross paths with another feline that wants to defend their territory. Un-neutered male cats are very territorial and will not only defend the land around their home but will continuously try to expand the boundaries of their territory. This means they can be constantly fighting to keep out intruders as they expand their space.
Intruder - fighting can result when you introduce another cat into the family. A cat that has had a bad experience with another cat early on in life may struggle with another cat in the household. Similarly, if your cat has grown up as the only cat in the household, they may find it difficult to accept a new cat into their already established territory. Personality clashes can also occur. Cats prefer consistency over change, so a disruption to their routine and environment can be difficult for them to accept. There are a number of steps you can take to help settle new pets into your family. For details click here.
Possessions - cats have an instinctive urge to mark their territory by leaving their scent. This is often done by scratching or rubbing their head or body against items, areas and even family members. Cats that live together can get in a fight to protect their food, toys or their favourite place to relax. If you have more than one cat in your household, make sure they each have their own personal items. This includes bed, food bowl, water bowl, litter tray and favourite toy. Its also important to provide plenty of private hiding spaces so each cat can get their own personal space.
Rough play - sometimes when cats play it can get a little rough. Normally cat play is harmless, however sometimes this can escalate into a fight which can inflict harm on both or one of your cats. If this happens, distract your cats by clapping your hands or stomping your feet loudly to safely stop them fighting.
How to break up a cat fight
It can be distressing to see or hear your cat in a fight. Whether it’s between your own cats or with another cat in the neighbourhood, never use your hands, feet or body to separate them. Cats can get quite worked up when they start fighting which may result in you receiving some nasty bites or scratches. Here are a couple of quick ideas using common objects or sounds to distract, intervene or separate the cats:
Make a loud noise - by clapping your hands loudly, shaking their favourite toy, slamming the door or stomping your feet to try and divert their attention.
Blocked vision – try throwing a towel, blanket or jacket over both cats. They may stop fighting if they cannot see each other anymore.
Common cat fight injuries
Sometimes it can be obvious when you cat has been in a fight if they are visibly hurt or distressed. However, other times the signs are subtle or may be hidden under their coat. While every cat is different, common cat fight injuries include:
Bite wounds, scratches or punctures
Lameness
Crying or growling
Difficulty jumping or moving around
Tender areas
Self-grooming painful areas
Abscess (pus filled pocket) forming on the skin
Loss of appetite
Lethargy
Fever
What happens after a cat has been bitten?
When a cat bites, its sharp teeth can easily puncture your cats skin. This can leave a small, deep wound. These bites seal over quickly, trapping bacteria beneath the skin. Often, there is no sign of the bite so it can go unnoticed for several days until pain and swelling occurs as bacteria rapidly multiplies under the skin and the tissue surrounding the site becomes infected.
At this point the cat can often develop a fever. They may also become lethargic or lose their appetite. In areas of loose skin, an abscess can develop (pocket of pus). These can be quite painful for your cat and often they will not let you touch near this area. In areas where the skin is tighter such as the foot, leg or tail, a widespread infection of the tissues beneath the skin can develop. This type of infection is called cellulitis. Both abscesses and cellulitis can make your cat extremely ill.
Occasionally, cat bites can result in septic arthritis (infected joint), osteomyelitis (bone infection) or pyothorax (infection in the chest cavity).
What to do after a cat fight
If your cat is involved in a fight it is important to know how to look after them once the fight is over.
Remove your cat from the situation - the first thing you should do is take your cat away from the other cat involved. If the fight was with another cat in the neighbourhood, gently carry them home. If it is between two cats in your home, separate them into different rooms. Take them somewhere comfortable that you can offer calm and check them over for any injuries.
Calm them down - this can be quite a traumatic event for everyone involved so offer your cat some comforting, soothing words and gentle pats to help them and you recover.
Check for injuries - you will need to check over your cat for any bite wounds, scratches, punctures or tender areas. Look over your cat’s entire body visually, then if they will let you gently check them over with your hands. Pay close attention to their skin and check areas that are commonly hurt such as their ears, tail and legs.
Take them to the vet – to protect your cat from infection, take your cat to the vet if they have any injuries, especially a bite wound. It is always a good idea to have your cat looked over by your vet if they have been in a fight to make sure they are ok and that there are no internal issues or hidden puncture wounds that you may not be aware of. Your vet can give your cat a thorough check-over, clean any bite wounds and address any other issues. They may also offer an antibiotic to prevent infection.
How to prevent cat fights
One of the best ways to stop your cat from getting into fights is to work on ways to prevent it happening in the first place.
Spay or neuter your cat - this will reduce the desire for male cats to fight to keep out intruders from their continuously expanding territory around their home. It will also eliminate the desire for female cats to roam while on heat.
Keep them indoors – confining your cat to your home, especially during the night when cat fights are most common is a great step towards preventing cat fights in the neighbourhood. Consider installing a cat enclosure for cats that love the outdoors. Placed in a weatherproof area, they allow your cat to experience the wonders of the great outdoors, while keeping them safe and sound.
Vaccinations – make sure you cat is not at risk of serious diseases if they ever do get bitten by wild or infected animals by vaccinating them. Keep their vaccinations up to date, including their annual booster shots. If you are unsure about your pet’s previous vaccinations or when their next vaccination is due, give us a call on 03 8784 4444. It’s never too late to start a vaccination program for your pet.
Places to hide – make sure all cats in your household have plenty of vertical spaces and hiding spots. This will allow them to escape or hide if they feel threatened or scared. It will also double as a quiet place for them to retreat when they want some time to themselves.
Plenty of cat supplies – if you have more than one cat in your household, make sure they each have their own personal items. This includes bed, food bowl, water bowl, litter tray and favourite toy. It is also important to provide multiple litter trays throughout the home for each cat. Generally, you need one litter tray per cat, plus an extra one.
Feed multiple cats separately – it is much safer to feed multiple cats on other sides of the room or in separate rooms if they are possessive. You can also wash and place their food bowls out of reach once they finish their meal.
Understand body language – there are some common signs to look out for that a cat feels angry, threatened or frightened and is ready to snap. These include growling, hissing, flattened ears, arched back, fur standing up, thrashing tail or tail tucked between legs. If you notice any of these signs from yours or another cat, remove your cat as quickly as possible to avoid a fight.
Play and stimulation – keep your cat happy by fulfilling their natural hunting, chasing and fighting instincts through play. Use a wand or laser toy for your cat to run, jump and chase after, bubbles for your cat to swat with their paws, or a mouse toy for your cat to pounce on and wrestle with. Try to take some time out each day to play with, cuddle or pat your cat. Vary it up and try to find a range of toys and activities that engage your cat’s interest.
We hope that your cat never gets involved in a fight. There are a number of steps you can take to keep your cat safe and prevent fighting both in the neighbourhood or inside your home if you have multiple cats. If you require behavioural advice, veterinary care or emergency support, call us on 03 8784 4444.