Stopping a Kitten Fight

Witnessing a kitten fight can be quite terrifying. The hissing. The body posturing. The kitten biting. An angry kitten can be frightening to witness.

The problem comes when kittens are unfamiliar with each other. They don’t know what to expect from each other and they do not trust one another. Kittens can fight for many reasons. Keep reading to learn the most common causes of kitten fights.

Causes of a Kitten Fight

Keep in mind, kitten culture is different from human society. Kittens love their space and will fight to maintain what is theirs.

• Personality Conflicts

  If there are two or more kittens in the same household, there are bound to be some personality conflicts. Just like humans not all kittens will like each other. A shy kitten may be the perfect target for an aggressive kitten. An elder cat may be targeted by younger, more dominant cats and kittens.

• Territorial Behavior

  Kittens go to great lengths to establish their territory. They spray urine, scratch, and rub to release their personal scent on objects. This is let other cats know, “This is my space”. When one cat violates another cats territory fights can happen. Give each kitten your own its own personal space. Set up individual litter boxes and beds.

  Also, try to raise your kitten as an indoor cat. A kitten will be less likely to get into altercations with other felines if it stays inside.

• Sick Kittens

  Illness can cause some kittens to become aggressive or have little tolerance for being bothered. Rabies is the most well-known disease that can alter a kitten’s personality. With rabies, kittens can become extremely aggressive against felines and humans.

  Head injuries can also cause changes in behavior. Pain is another cause of aggression. Think about it. Do you like to be bothered if you have a bad headache or tooth ache? Give your kitten some space. If you notice any major behavioral changes in your kitten, see your vet for evaluation.

• Lack of Socialization

  Kittens that were not given adequate time to socialize with their siblings and mom cat can become overly aggressive as they get older. They may not know the rules of cat society and get into frequent conflicts with other cats.

  The best time to adopt a kitten is after 12 weeks of age. This gives kittens time to learn kitten culture and rules. Yes, baby kittens are cute. But, give them the best chance at life by waiting until they are older to adopt.

• Not Altered

  Kittens that are not spayed or neutered can become quite aggressive. Unaltered male cats will fight each other to establish territory so that they can mate with female cats. To prevent male kittens from fighting, get them neutered. Altering often has a calming effect on cat behavior.

Kitten Fight Tips

• Give each kitten its own space in your household.
• Provide separate litter boxes and food bowls to prevent territorial behavior.
• Don’t leave your new kitten unattended with older established cats in your home.
• Don’t reward bad behavior. Don’t coddle the victimized cat.
• Don’t overtly punish the aggressor.
• Use toys, loud whistles, and other loud noises to distract kittens if they get into spats.
• If separating and breaking up a kitten fight, use a towel to drape over the aggressor to disorient them.
• Use calming scents like lavender and synthetic pheromones to sooth your kittens’ frayed nerves.
• Introduce a new kitten gradually to your resident pets.
• If kittens are bleeding or severely hurt post-fight, take them to the vet.
• Try calming music to relax kittens. Classical is always a favorite choice.

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