Bonded cats had a fight

[EnidIsla]

Heyyyy....
I really need some advice on what to do after my 2 female cats had a fight, like a real nasty fight!.
It all stated around 12 days ago, one night they just went all out on eachother, I think I know the cause (they're 2 years old, lived together most of their lives ...I'm guessing they're fighting for dominance)

Anyways... I've been following the advice of The Cat Daddy on YouTube and I feel we're making some progress, but I keep hearing from others how keeping them separated is the wrong thing to do and I should just let them fight it out.

We've been swapping them into all areas of the house so they get equal time in each others spaces to scent swap, we've been feeding them either side of the door to reinforce positive association, playing with them to dispel excess energy and tonight we even got a little paw play under the door going on.

I don't wanna rush things and end up back at square one but just wanted to know if anyone else has been in this situation with previously bonded cats and what your advice would be to help us to all be friends again

 

[Kris107]

I'd look at the root cause again... Why do you think it was about dominance? They've been living together for 1-2 years, so it wasn't over new territory or something... What was happening in the environment before they were fighting? What was each cat doing?

 

[Cat McCannon]

Just letting them fight it out will only make matters worse. What you're doing now is the right course. Just be patient with your kitties.

PS- Cats re not dogs. They don't fight for dominance. They will fight for personal space

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi and welcome to TCS! You do need to look for a source that caused the fighting. There is an aggression called re-directed aggression, that can be caused by another cat or critter coming into the area around your house. Not all cats react to it, but some do and then they re-direct their aggression on their buddy. There is also another aggression, referred to as non-recognition aggression, and it can be caused by something as simple as one cat going to the vet and coming home smelling differently. This can also sometimes happen if one cat is put on a medication that makes them smell different from normal. Here are a couple of articles about them, in case that can help any.
Re-Directed Aggression In Cats [Insight And Solutions] - TheCatSite
How To Deal With Non-recognition Aggression In Cats - TheCatSite

 

[EnidIsla]

I'd look at the root cause again... Why do you think it was about dominance? They've been living together for 1-2 years, so it wasn't over new territory or something... What was happening in the environment before they were fighting? What was each cat doing?

So...it was in the evening when we'd usually give them some treats before we head to bed. My eldest cat Isla had just come downstairs from a nap and Enid, who is 3 months younger, was already in the living room with us. As far as I can tell Enid hissed or swiped at Isla and Isla just chased her upstairs and they went all out on eachother. Since then Enid has been scared of Isla and continues to hiss in her presence, Isla growls back and still chases Enid.
Another thing I forgot to mention, Enid had recently escaped into next door's garden, they're indoor cats but like some garden time, could this have made her smell like a stranger to Isla? That happened a couple of weeks before this incident though do thought nothing of it.

 

[EnidIsla]

Just letting them fight it out will only make matters worse. What you're doing now is the right course. Just be patient with your kitties.

PS- Cats re not dogs. They don't fight for dominance. They will fight for personal space

Thank you for confirming that, I wasn't keen on the idea myself but a few "cat people" around me have told me that's what they have done.

Yeah I feel the personal space thing, they do get rather close when we're about to go to bed as we give them some snacks before we head up to bed and leave them downstairs. I think once this is over il be giving them free run of the house at night, I can see how they might have been in each others spaces at night with only having half the house to play in

 

[EnidIsla]

Hi and welcome to TCS! You do need to look for a source that caused the fighting. There is an aggression called re-directed aggression, that can be caused by another cat or critter coming into the area around your house. Not all cats react to it, but some do and then they re-direct their aggression on their buddy. There is also another aggression, referred to as non-recognition aggression, and it can be caused by something as simple as one cat going to the vet and coming home smelling differently. This can also sometimes happen if one cat is put on a medication that makes them smell different from normal. Here are a couple of articles about them, in case that can help any.
Re-Directed Aggression In Cats [Insight And Solutions] - TheCatSite
How To Deal With Non-recognition Aggression In Cats - TheCatSite

Mmmmm.....well recently 2 events have happened that could explain these 2 types of aggression being displayed. A neighbour's cat got into our garden whilst our girls were outside a couple weeks before all of this happened and he missed and stamped his feet at them, I think there may have been a brawl if my husband hadn't stopped him and chased him back over his fence. The days following that my youngest cat Enid went into the garden and escaped into the garden next door (not the same side as the cat from the altercation) when she came back my eldest cat Isla was acting really shifty around her and sniffing as I she didn't know her. So I'm guessing she picked up a real strong scent from their garden and brought it back.

Even though these events happened a couple of weeks prior to my cats'fight, do you think this may be a root cause for the aggression?

 

[Kris107]

It could've made them feel a bit more territorial - seeing another cat in THEIR garden. That can be pretty distressing for some cats. They had to almost defend their territory from that other cat. So I could see that being the trigger. Keep doing your positive associations and test waters slowly.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Even though these events happened a couple of weeks prior to my cats'fight, do you think this may be a root cause for the aggression?

Unless you know differently for sure, perhaps this other cat has now made some additional visits into your yard. It is amazing what cats can sense even if they don't see an intruder. That would keep the stress ongoing. The combined incidents, as well as a possible continuation of 'visits' could keep your cats riled up for a while. And, if there is an intruder that keeps coming back, the behavior will likely continue.

 

[EnidIsla]

Yeah I spoke to my neighbour straight away about it and she agreed not to let Salem( the intruder) out without his harness on anymore so as far as I know he hasn't been back in our garden

 

[EnidIsla]

It could've made them feel a bit more territorial - seeing another cat in THEIR garden. That can be pretty distressing for some cats. They had to almost defend their territory from that other cat. So I could see that being the trigger. Keep doing your positive associations and test waters slowly.

Yeah absolutely I can see why that might have contributed too...I had a word with my neighbour about it who's agreed to be more careful about letting Salem (the intruder) out and only on a harness. I think I might move on the screen door soon as they're both showing signs of wanting to be in the opposite space....although my youngest cat Enid is still a little weary at times, she is raining confidence