If you have more than one cat at home, you need to be careful about play that can turn into occasional fights. Whether it's over possession of an object or to mark territory, cats living in the same house can get strange from time to time. Animals in the wild or roaming the streets can also fight over the female cat. This can happen at home too, but it's rare if the cats are male.To help owners, Paws of the House will give some tips on how to prevent, recognize and separate a cat fight.

Cat fight: see why they can fight

Cats are territorial animals, and in order to keep their kingdom protected - this includes litter boxes, water fountains, bedding and even their owner - they can become aggressive. Anyone who thinks that this quarrelsome temperament is exclusive to males is mistaken. Females can also be just as aggressive as males when defending their territory. Another reason is that the cat feels threatened in some way,either by another animal or human.

Cat fighting sounds: recognize when your cat is about to attack

• Stare;
• Arched back;
• Shaggy coat;
• Loud, repeated grunts.

Cat fighting: know what to do during the fight

The last thing a human has to do during a cat fight is to get in the middle of it, even if it's to get one of them away. The important thing is to get their attention away from the fight, and there are a few ways to do that:

• Throw a jet of water;

• Clap your hands or hit an object that makes noise near them;

• Throw a toy of theirs in the middle.

As soon as you separate the fighting cats, wait for them to calm down separately and once they have behaved, give them a treat to relate to the good behavior. Do not offer the treat during or right after the fight, this may make them think that the reward is because of the fight.

Cat fights: learn how to prevent them

For those who already have a cat and want to get another, the ideal is to make the adaptation gradually and provide all the accessories separately. Bed, scratcher, pots and beds should be individual at that first moment. If you have more than one male cat in the house and notice that aggressive behavior is frequent, the most effective way to prevent fights between them is castration. In addition to the improvement in thebehavior, neutering cats is very beneficial for their health, as it prevents infections and tumors in the reproductive organs.

If you notice that the aggression is beyond what would be considered normal, contact your veterinarian so that he can analyze the case individually and recommend the best treatment.