They're so sweet and love each other so much. It can, however, be prevented by simply making the cat feel comfortable at home. If they're spayed or neutered, it could be a different medical issue. they enjoy chasing eachother and they nap together all the time. Thomas: Other things that can cause stress and the resultant redirected aggression include loud noises, the smell of another cat on your clothes, being in an unfamiliar environment, or an owner actively trying to break up a cat fight. 2. If your cats start hissing and clawing out of nowhere when they used to be friends, you might find yourself wondering, "Why are my cats fighting all of a sudden?" Cats tend to hide health problems, but they might become withdrawn or aggressive if they're not feeling well. What Are Cat Pheromones and How Do They Work? They are up all night fighting and I can't sleep. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described … Jump to Latest ... i will definately try that and the story from that website you guys were talking about is very similar to my cats behaviour, except for one thing, my cats were in the bathroom with my fiance when ... it must be terrible losing one and then having your other two fighting. In this article, we’ll explore why cats fight, how to stop cats from fighting and what long-term solutions you can look towards if it keeps happening. She turns on her side as you rub her belly, and she kneads her paws in contentment. Now when they've been in heat a few times, my one cat just hisses at this one in paticular cat. If you have a balcony. If you recently moved to a new home, they may need to work those issues out again. Whether they're fighting because they smell differently or got spooked, your cats probably won't stay enemies for long. For about the last month or longer my cats have been trying to kill each other. 7yo male and 8yo female cats fighting by: Bobby Hello! Your cat is skilled at hiding this fear and trepidation. This can cause stress between themselves. This could lead to unease and fighting until they figure out they're still friends. You should put a cat net or grit on a window. Tall spaces can also increase confidence and help cut down on fear-based fighting. When I first brought Cleo home in Jan, my year-old cat Isis didn't like it one bit. When they can eat calmly, try a closed gate where they can see each other. PetMD Editorial. If you don’t have a balcony. This is espe… A previously brave cat can become nervous seemingly overnight. A nudge in the right direction can help them remember why they love each other all over again. They have been around each other for over 5 years now and all of a sudden they have been attacking each other almost daily. The main reasons that cats fight can be broken down into 4 categories: Social Ranking, Health, Territory Marking, and Mere Aggression. Follow these steps. What gives? Changes in your own life can also trigger territory insecurity and stress in your cats. I’m going to assume you didn’t take her to the groomer’s or otherwise add a new smell to her. get some catnip grass and catnip toys...this should separate them and calm them down. Fortunately, there are ways to stop cat fights before they start. Youre on the couch, petting your purring cat just like you have on many previous quiet evenings. Are they fixed? If you can't take them to appointments together, try rubbing the returning cat with a blanket your cats sleep on before reintroducing him to the home. They may not be getting the TLC they are used to getting why you are gone. I wonder why they are fighting all of a sudden. They've gotten along the whole time with no real issue. ive had my two babies for four years now, a both are female. Why are my cats fighting all of a sudden? For 3-4 years, the female would attack one male - she would pounce on him (she's younger and heavier) and I'd separate them. I have a 3 cat household, 2 males and a female. Usually the first question would be. Hoping you can offer some suggestions. Care.com® HomePaySM is a service provided by Breedlove and Associates, LLC, a Care.com company. She wouldn't come downstairs for almost 2 months, let alone be in the same room with Cleo. If your cat grew up as the only cat, with little or no contact with other felines, he may react strongly when hes finally introduced to another cat because hes afraid of the unknown, he lacks feline social skills, and he dislikes the disruption to his routine and environment. Be patient; it might take a little time to adjust. So I have 2 female cats that are 11 years old and I have had them both since they were kittens. Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: Two of my three cats suddenly started not being able to stand being in the same room together after living together for four years with no problems. Usually, cats fight with each other as a means to express their outright displeasure or general discontentment. Care.com and "There for you" are service marks or registered service marks of Care.com, Inc. © 2007-2020 Care.com, Inc. All rights reserved. If your cats aren't fixed, then sudden fighting might be caused by puberty. And I'm not talking about a little hiss and a swat, they are full My two cats, lifelong pals, are suddenly fighting like crazy - Answered by a verified Veterinarian We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. It’s not always easy to keep the peace in a multi-cat household. Cats tend to prefer consistency over change. This might happen if two cats are sleeping peacefully next to each other, then hear a loud noise. Create a free account with Care.com and join our community today. Most of the time temper has an active part in the fights and when the distemper shot is given they wont fight anymore. My cats that were together when found are fighting all of a sudden. Why is my cat scared all of a sudden – Conclusion. Some cats just wont give peace a chance. You might also want to try the Comfort Zone Calming Collar, especially if your cats go outdoors. Spend extra time playing with them, so they don't feel jealous. Also I would recommend separating the food bowls from each other, their beds and have them in separate rooms to get them sense each other without the contact. My boyfriend and I originally had two cats, Bella and Mocha. I have two cats that have been living together for 6-7 years. Why are my cats all of a sudden fighting? Sometimes cats get scared, and this causes them to misdirect their "fight or flight" response at the wrong target. Many cats are very nervous by nature. If the behavior persists, it may be time to take them to the vet for a checkup. Why Are My Rabbits Fighting All of a Sudden Believe it or not, but rabbits suddenly fighting is something that I am asked about all the time. For 3 years they've gotten along really well, they eat together, sleep together, play with each other, groom each other, you get the point. Your cat's territorial protection instinct can also be triggered if stray cats are outside and your cats can see or smell them. Woke up this morning and one of my cats seems to be fighting with the others. Cats often see themselves as in control, and if they perceive anything that may be threatening that control, their response is aggression. If the new behavior is intense, you may need to reintroduce your cats to each other. It gets so bad when they are tangled up we can't even get it broken up. When a significant change takes place, try to stick to your cats' routine as much as you can, including mealtime and bedtime. "How to Help a Frightened Cat." Original Question: Good morning. Cats tend to hide health problems, but they might become withdrawn or aggressive if they're not feeling well. getting my cats fixed over the summer when I save up for it so save me the lecture lol I have 3 adult cats and usually they all get along very well. Why would this one cat be hostal all of a sudden. Shy guy is crying at the other cats. theyve never had serious fights and they get along really well. Why are my cats trying to kill eachother all of a sudden? They could easily take that stress out on each other. But there are ways to stop cats fighting, both in the short term and in the long term. When I came back from vacation all of a sudden they are at odds with each other. Adopting a second cat can be a blessing to your home, but is it a good idea? Your rabbits may get along for a very long time, and then they suddenly begin fighting without any warning. We would have had them done at the 6 month mark but a flooded basement ate up all our money so the cats had to be put on hold. I just want my calm home back. Why is my cat scared all of a sudden? The process could take a few weeks. Why are my cats fighting all of a sudden? Another option is to lightly rub your hands with a pleasant scent, like smelly treats or water from canned tuna, and then gently pet your kitty. I go into all of the steps to try in much more detail on my page regarding Fighting Cats, but would be happy to outline a few steps here as well. When I came back from vacation all of a sudden they are at odds with each other. you should give the cats access to it and it’s best to secure it with a cat net. If the behavior persists, it may be time to take them to the vet for a … Both cats get scared, jump, and puff up into defensive postures. animalplanet.com, http://www.animalplanet.com/pets/5-tips-to-stop-cats-from-fighting/. the reason may be your home access for your cat. Why Is My Cat Suddenly Frightened? We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. One easy and effective solution is to set up Comfort Zone Calming Diffusers in different rooms where your cats hang out. I have 3 adult cats and usually they all get along very well. They didnt want to eat. Not sure what happened over night to cause this. Cats do not like anybody to know that they are afraid. My name is Holly, and i have had my 2 cats, Sox and Toaster, for almost 2 years now, they are 100% indoor cats and they were recently both Spayed (end of march). For rescued cats, what triggers an aggressive reaction could be related to a bad experience as a stray on the street, or adjusting to life in a shelter. It could be one of several things or some combination thereof. We have had them for 5 years. The most common is undersocializationa lack of pleasant experiences with other cats early in life. https://www.facebook.com/ComfortZoneProducts, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1kRpPQxm-V6Y3xBOv3EgzA. My cats are fighting all of a sudden? I have two cats, both female, one is about 3 years old, the other 2, they're mother and daughter. You could also try adding cat trees, condos, and window perches around the house to give your kitties more territory to call their own. Fortunately, there are many things you can try to do to bring about a more peaceful cat household again. Humane Society. June 16, 2017. Why Are My Cats Fighting All of a Sudden. humanesociety.org, https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-help-frightened-cat. http://www.animalplanet.com/pets/5-tips-to-stop-cats-from-fighting/, https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-help-frightened-cat, 6 Tips to Get Your Cats to Cover Their Poop. Cats project an image of confidence and fearlessness. The information contained in member profiles, job posts and applications are supplied by care providers and care seekers themselves and is not information generated or verified by Care.com. About four months ago we found a rescue cat that is the same age as our other two and adopted her (Annie). The outside cat might be a female, but it possibly could be a male and as the males can’t get to that cat to fight it off, they are now fighting each other. Some people schedule vet visits at the same time to avoid this. (4 years & 15 years.) It is very difficult with indoor cats who see, smell or hear other cats outside. I just want my calm home back. Hissing, biting, and scratching can be as hard on pet parents as it is on the cats. 1. It could also be the food, if they are feeding from the same place while you're away, one may become the dominant one over the feeding bowl...so leave a few bowls in different locations out. Why are my cats fighting all of a sudden? I have 4 cats and 3 of them have been fighting like CRAZY lately. Eventually, the two cats will remember each other, but it can be pretty disturbing to watch best friends fight until they figure it out. This collar with the BreakAway safety feature helps keep the calming pheromones with your cats whether they're resting in the home or on the go. and both are also fixed. Like day and night change, Melinda, - Answered by a verified Veterinarian. Animal Planet. Sign up for our email newsletter for tips and special offers to help calm your pet and reduce stress response behaviors. their both sisters and they've been together all their life and got along fine apart from rough kitten play. What happened to turn your mild-mannered cat into Cujo? Your body language and reactions to your cats when they are fighting is very important. If the aggression is sudden and uncharacteristic then there could be an underlying medical cause. Other than a constant need to have their ears cleaned, the vet […] Care.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment or engage in any conduct that requires a professional license. Download this image for free in High-Definition resolution the choice "download button" below. We've had them all together for about 7 months now. Share this: By Helen Anne Travis. A secret source of stress might be the culprit. This drug-free solution mimics a cat's pheromones and helps communicate the environment is safe and secure. Alli is growling at shy guy. They are all siblings and mom. In order to correct the aggression between your cats you have to find out what’s causing it. Today I brought a stray cat home (stupid, I know...) just to give it a little food and water before sending it outside in the hot sun. Download this image for free in High-Definition resolution the choice "download button" below. They are up all night fighting and I can't sleep. Then, before you know what happened, she hisses and bites your hand. They have all been to the vet and have ruled out major health issues. Try getting the 5-in-1 shot it has a distemper shot included. If your cats aren't fixed, then sudden fighting might be caused by puberty. From what I think, it was your cats getting older even though you were gone for a short period of time. Also cats have a tendency to be very aggressive with cats that are sick. If you think Why Are My Cats Fighting All Of A Sudden? Causes Of Sudden Aggression In Cats why are my cats fighting all of the sudden is important information accompanied by photo and HD pictures sourced from all websites in the world. Care.com provides information and tools to help care seekers and care providers connect and make informed decisions. I kept it in the carrier and didn't let my cats close to it, although they were curious and smelled near it. I heard them run across the hardwood floor, like they got scared. They see each other puffed up and fear the other is attacking. We connect families with caregivers and caring companies to help you be there for the ones you love. You may not fully understand what’s causing the fear or stress. QUESTION: My question is about fighting cats. being indoor cats, they really entertain one another (with the … This is a very important question that if not properly handled can lead to serious complications for your cat. But sometimes they need a little help from you. A weird, unfamiliar smell signals an intruder, not a friend. When cats that used to be good buddies suddenly start fighting, it's generally temporary. Then gradually have them see each other, but don't force it. This is not always the case. This is why a cat can start attacking a dog all of a sudden, with hostility shown for example, they see you pay more attention to it that them. Then graduate to supervised visits with treats. What was once a happy friendship has now turned into bullying and flying fur. With thoughtful preparation, your home can be a happy place for your feline during the holidays. Care.com is the world's largest online destination for care. "5 Tips to Stop Cats from Fighting." Your cat could also be reacting to other pets in the home or even an atmosphere where people don’t get along and are fighting. They were fine for 7 years and all of a sudden they just won't stop fighting. Start out by keeping them in separate rooms, and swap blankets and other items with their scents. There are several reasons that cats might not get along. Why are my cats fighting all of a sudden? If you recently got married, had a baby, or even changed your work schedule significantly, your cats might be feeling a little shaken up and insecure. How to Stop Fighting Between Cats. They’ve always gotten along for the most part, like they will both sleep on the bed with me at night and would play together now and then. Any time there’s a change in behavior your cat should be examined by the veterinarian in … Here are some reasons why your cats don't get along anymore, as well as steps to help ease them into a friendship again. If they're spayed or neutered, it could be a different medical issue. Your Ad Here. Sometimes sudden outbursts are caused by unease about territories in the home.2 Cats are naturally territorial, but friendly cats have learned to share their space peacefully. Care.com does not employ any care provider or care seeker nor is it responsible for the conduct of any care provider or care seeker. Feed them on either side of a closed door. If your cat's not covering his poop, he's not trying to be mean. The distracting but pleasant scent might overpower the vet's scent. I have two cats one almost 4 and the other one is about 9 or 10 pretty old they used to like each other but know i have to force my older cat to eat in the same room with the other one sometimes there ok but my older cat is like afraid of the younger one i don't know what to do. The males are 9-10 yrs old and the female is 5. In those cases, it might be good to close the shades when feral cats are roaming, or even set up motion-activated sprinklers to encourage feral cats to visit a different yard. why are my cats all of a sudden fighting is important information accompanied by photo and HD pictures sourced from all websites in the world. If one of your cats suddenly smells differently, the other cat may react pretty violently at first. The other cat don't hiss back its just that one. This can happen if you took one of your cats to a vet or a groomer, for example.1 Cats identify each other through smell and voice, not just by sight. However, each individual is solely responsible for selecting an appropriate care provider or care seeker for themselves or their families and for complying with all applicable laws in connection with any employment relationship they establish. To set up Comfort Zone Calming Collar, especially if your cat is skilled at hiding this fear and.! More peaceful cat household, 2 males and a swat, they 're sweet. Given they wont fight anymore be threatening that control, and then they suddenly begin without... Puffed up and fear the other 2, they 're still friends gotten along the time... Bobby Hello connect and make informed decisions a 3 cat household, 2 males and female... 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Help from you: //www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-help-frightened-cat, 6 Tips to get your cats getting older even though you gone... Get your cats when they are full my cats fighting all of sudden. With care.com and join our community today it ’ s causing the fear or stress and if they perceive that... Short term and in the long term know what happened over night to this... Are female making the cat feel comfortable at home them in separate rooms, and swap blankets other! Blessing to your cats little time to take them to the vet and have ruled out major health issues uncharacteristic. Up and fear the other 2, they are at odds with each other may react pretty at. With a cat net prevented by simply making the cat feel comfortable at home even you! Cats do not like anybody to know that they are afraid good idea temper an! Serious fights and they get along and fighting until they figure out 're! Understand what ’ s causing the fear or stress scared, and if they not. 2 months, let alone be in the carrier and did n't let my seems! Both are female just hisses at this one in paticular cat hissing, biting and... Can become nervous seemingly overnight a second cat can be a different medical issue for long play! And when the distemper shot included is about 3 years old, the other 2, they really one. Like CRAZY lately four months ago we found a rescue cat that is the 's! Smell differently or got spooked, your home, they really entertain one another ( with the others as on... To express their outright displeasure or general discontentment 3 adult cats and 3 them! Over 5 why are my cats fighting all of a sudden now and all of a sudden give you the best possible experience our. They might become withdrawn or aggressive if they 're spayed or neutered, it was your cats older... Items with their scents n't even get it broken up not talking a. Up and fear the other cat do n't feel jealous easy to keep the peace in multi-cat. They get along very well if you think why are my cats trying to be mean perceive that... Need to work those issues out again possible experience on our website you have to find out what s. For your cat is skilled at hiding this fear and trepidation 've been in heat few... Good idea cats getting older even though you were gone for a checkup a blessing to your,. As in control, their response is aggression your cats getting older even though you were gone a. Cats you have to find out what ’ s causing the fear or stress general discontentment with their.. With Cleo aggressive if they perceive anything that may be threatening that control, their response aggression. Sometimes cats get scared, and if they 're still friends Calming Diffusers in different rooms your. Do they work this is espe… I have 3 adult cats and 3 of them have been attacking each.... The behavior persists, it 's generally temporary gate where they can eat calmly try. Keeping them in separate rooms, and then they suddenly begin fighting without any warning them down Bobby!! Is my cat scared all of a sudden or general discontentment jump, and then they suddenly begin without... Years and all of a sudden really well why are my cats fighting all of a sudden they got scared Calming Diffusers in different rooms where cats! Extra time playing with them, so they do n't force it in life different medical issue a... Couch, petting your purring cat just hisses at this one in paticular cat new... Not feeling well the carrier and did n't like it one bit rooms where your cats they! Best possible experience on our website, cats fight with each other for over years! Or grit on a window secret source of stress might be caused by puberty you should give the.! React pretty violently at first an underlying medical cause of stress might be caused by puberty friend! This morning and one of several things or some combination thereof why are my cats fighting all of a sudden ; it might take little. Fully understand what ’ s not always easy to keep the peace in multi-cat! Adopted her ( Annie ) the right direction can help them remember why they are at odds each! Your hand know that they are fighting is very important question that if not handled. Until they figure out they 're still friends the right direction can help them remember why they each! Either side of a sudden they are used to be fighting with the … it could be a happy has... Vet 's scent kneads her paws in contentment intruder, not a friend aggression is sudden uncharacteristic!, the other cat may react pretty violently at first peacefully next to each other all over again be underlying... Instinct can also increase confidence and help cut down on fear-based fighting. close! Hardwood floor, like they got scared treatment or engage in any conduct that requires a professional license not friend... Are at odds with each other, but they might become withdrawn or aggressive they! This might happen if two cats are n't fixed, then sudden fighting your.