How to Handle Territorial Aggression in Cats

Is your cat acting up or otherwise being aggressive? Here are a number of the explanations why this happens, and what you'll do to assist. 

Territorial Cat Behavior

Territorial behavior in cats can happen in several ways, for a variety of reasons. Cats are more territorial than dogs naturally, and they also can be more solitary. Territorial behavior in cats usually involves urine marking, stalking, or attacking another cat.

Territorial behavior is often more serious in cats than in dogs because cats see their territory differently, often viewing newcomers as invaders or intruders, whether it’s a replacement cat within the household or neighborhood cats outside. Cats also are a touch pickier — your cat may tolerate one cat but not another. Intact male cats are often particularly territorial, so it’s important to spay and neuter pet cats.

Even friendly, social kittens may become territorial once they mature. To avoid this, it’s best to socialize your kitten from 3–12 weeks aged by getting her won't to a spread of situations, even those outside the house, like getting to the vet or groomer.

If your cat displays sudden signs of territorial aggression, especially out-of-box elimination, consider a visit to your veterinarian to rule out any health issues that can be causing the behavior. Spay or neuter any intact pets in your home. This alone can go an extended way toward eliminating aggression. One intact pet can find yourself affecting all the pets in your household.

Definitely don’t let your catfight other cats. Unlike dogs who are sometimes ready to work things out, the more cats fight, the more severe the matter can become. Squirt-fighting cats with water and use a whistle to distract them. Never attempt to pull them apart otherwise you may get hurt, and never punish them for territorial behavior or they'll become more aggressive. If the matter is ongoing, you'll get to separate the cats while you're employed out the matter with professional help.

Adding a replacement cat to a household can take tons longer than adding a replacement dog. The cats got to be kept separate for a period. you'll switch the new and resident cats’ bedding so that they can smell one another, and allow them to sniff under doorways or with the new cat during a carrier.

Friendly social cats will probably be more accepting of every other while more independent cats or those that are the sole cat within the household may take quite a while. Sometimes it just doesn’t compute and therefore the cats need to live separately, but it’s often well worth the effort to undertake.

Getting Professional Help

Effectively helping a territorial cat become calmer and more social depends on the owner, the cat, and therefore the situation. Early socialization and positive reinforcement to reward desirable behavior can go an extended way toward developing a well-behaved cat.

Adult cats with territorial issues should be taken seriously as these behaviors can address aggression. If you've got trouble resolving your cat's issues on your own, seek advice from a knowledgeable trainer or behaviorist. they will often help get things back on target for you and your cat — so you'll both live together in a happier home.