Cat Fights: How to tell when they're serious
Source: ansik
Anyone who owns one or more cats will be used to watching them wrestle on numerous occasions with other felines. Sometimes this is serious and sometimes it is just playful, but how can we, as humans, tell the difference between a fight that can end in a serious injury and one that just results in a nasty look, a few hisses or a few soft paw swipes? The first thing to know is that there are actually three types of cat fights.
Play Fights
All cats have the tendency to play fight with one other, whether they are kittens or fully grown adults. This can apply to any two animals whether they were born together or are simply friendly felines living under the same roof. These types of fights are actually beneficial as they provide your animals with the exercise that they need, especially if they are indoor cats. In these circumstances, it is very rare for anyone to get hurt as it is all in good fun.
Dominance Displays
When playtime is over, two friendly cats may have episodes where one tries to assert dominance over the other. This is all part of the territorial nature of cats and is typical for all breeds. Whether your animals live indoors or roam around the neighbourhood, they will often get into these types of displays. Pet owners will not have to worry though as the worst that should happen here is an arched back and a few hisses before the submissive one turns tail and retreats.
Serious Fighting
Sometimes, these dominance displays can take a turn for the worse when the cats get too close and the claws and teeth come out. In these cases, it is because one animal has encroached on another one's territory and both cats refuse to back down. If your cat is in a serious fight, here are a few signs to watch out for:
- Puffed Out Fur: This is one of the easiest ways to tell if a fight is going to end badly before it even begins. The fur on a cat's arched back and tail will puff out, making it look bigger in an attempt to threaten the enemy and convince them to flee.
- Bared Teeth: In a real fight, cats will show their teeth and they will not be afraid to use them. These can cause serious injuries that draw blood and can get infected if left untreated.
- Extended Claws: As well as teeth, cats will also use their claws as weapons if they get into a fight over territory or supremacy. In these cases, their swipes will actually draw blood rather than just being playful taps.
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