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Cats attacking each other...

post #1 of 4
Thread Starter 
This is about my sisters cats, rather than mine.

She has 2 sister kitties (had three but one died a few months back) and any time another cat is around outside their house, the girls start fighting like they are trying to kill one another. She actually has to crate them or separate them for several hours after the visitor is gone because they will really hurt one another. Its the only time they actually fight...Any ideas why? It doesn't even matter if its a male or female outside, they instantly lose it on each other and its actually pretty scary...and annoying for the neighbors, I am sure.
post #2 of 4
That phenomena is common and actually has a name, "misdirected aggression" or "redirected aggression." They are upset about the intruder and take it out on whomever is nearby - can even be a human.

I don't think there is much to do about it except keep the intruders away with repellents of some kind. Or, not let the kitties in the house see them. Somehow.

Robin
post #3 of 4
Yes, good old RA. Cats can be really ridiculous sometimes.

That has happened here in the past. A feral cat will go by the window, or even worse, their outside enclosure, and all heck breaks loose.

The only way to avoid is, like basketservent said, keep them from seeing the "intruder".

Even a loud noise can set cats off. Anything out of the ordinary that suddenly scares them.
post #4 of 4
Thread Starter 
Ah, so it has a name. Even better...I guess trying to keep them from seeing would be an obvious solution. Not necessarily an easy one though. Could be the middle of the night and one is watching outside. Its funny how it sets them off like that. None of the cats we have give a meow if there is any "intruders" outside. Thankfully her girls take it out on each other instead of her and her husband.
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