Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Cats fighting

Advertisement

Expert: Dear Tabbi - 11/11/2008


Question
HI
We have a small common housecat thats been spayed.
Around the family she is very affectionate.
She enjoys going outside (she's not on a leash) in the summer.
Problem is there are three other neighborhod cats that come oround,two of which are a problem.
One is  black I just broke up what looked like a vicious  fight to the death.IT would have killed or injured mine if I hant heard the shreaking and gone outside.
Another big gray one is not as aggressive but still a problem.
The third just comes and looks but is not aggressive.
The black and grey ones have actually run into my house chasing after mine?
Whats up? Why are they so agreesive against mine?
Also,you would think mine would be afraid to go out after that but after a few hours she wants out again!?

Answer
Bud,

Your cat may be instigating the fights by trying to defend her territory. Cats also can play/get acquainted by what looks like very rough confrontations to us, but it's not to the cats.

Since she is not timid about going outside again then it can be a dominance issue that is not settled yet.

Are the intruders neutered? Even though she is spayed there may be a cat in heat in the neighborhood that the cats can smell and if the black cat has a strong male mentality then he is possibly trying to mount her and she's not having any part of it and fighting him. That would also account for him chasing her into the house. "Come here my little pretty" (smile).

I am attaching a link to an article about keeping cats of your yard.
(copy and paste), or type the whole link into your address bar)

http://www.sfspca.org/behavior/cat_library/catsoutofyard.pdf

Also here is an article about invaders in your yard:

http://www.celiahaddon.co.uk/pet%20problems/cats/deterring%20invaders.html

Your kitty may be small girl but she's mighty and has a lot of heart. Is she a calico? It is similar to their typical behavior....a very territoral alpha girl.

I hope this helps,

Tabbi  

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

Education/Credentials
***********

Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.