humans are liable for any damage caused by the animals, compulsory for all dogs to be microchipped in the UK, I think my dog is having a midlife crisis (so that makes two of us). Some states have “strict liability” laws that make owners responsible for damage caused by their dogs, even if they weren’t negligent or didn’t know that their animals had dangerous tendencies. She learns that it is much more worthwhile for her to come to you than to fight with the other cat. Will our nervous beagle ever grow out of urinating in the house? My cat never leaves my backyard and is mostly inside the house anyway. Opaque “wallpaper for windows” works well in this situation. Do not allow them to paw at or smell each other through a door. A cat may be aggressive toward one cat (usually the most passive), yet friendly and tolerant with another. It takes time for cats to learn how to behave aggressively, so it will also take time to teach them that you do not want them to behave that way. Then you and your cat will both be happier. Separating the aggressive cat from the other cat. QUESTION: My question is about fighting cats. An obvious answer might be to keep cats indoors, and in some parts of the world, this is seen as the only acceptable way to keep cats. The attack happened in my daughter's garden. Is there anything I could do? “Yes, it's my cat, but it's not my fault” just isn't good enough. I know well, the urge to name someone who is so malignant that they would hurt an innocent animal, but I dare not publish his name online as I am sure there would be retaliation from him, towards my cats, my … People either love or hate cats, and there isn't much middle ground. However, I will say that the attacks by the youngest cat seem more playful while the 6-year-old actually seems angry at her. Aggression is the second most common feline behavior problem seen by animal behaviorists. Since a cat will find it much more difficult to guard four food bowls rather than one, aggression is much less likely to occur if you provide more bowls. When your cat rubs his or her cheeks against a wall, chair, or your leg, pheromones are left behind. If your cats suddenly start fighting when they previously lived together without altercations, the first step is to take them both to your veterinarian for medical evaluation. Of course, responsible cat owners with indoor only cats aren’t the issue. The cats will be left with nothing to fight over. He/she may try to flee or attack, depending on the circumstanc… To comment, visit Pete's Facebook page: Pete the Vet. Their owners seem to be able to put there hands up, as if saying “sorry, but it's not my fault”. Fear aggression may be exhibited in a combination of offensive and defensive responses. Well my cat got stressed out after a few seconds and started screaming (the same when she used to attack me) and started hissing at my other cat. Over time, move the cats closer to the door, until the cats are able to eat side by side without behaving aggressively. When your cat comes, give her a special treat or play with her with her favorite toy. I yelled at them and waved my arms. Your cat sees another cat outside the window and because he can’t attack that cat, he attacks you. Cat Aggression Toward Other Cats: Steps for Changing Aggressive Feline Behavior, Community Cats Program Handbook: Administration, Community Cats Program Handbook: Operations, Cat Body Language: Communication and Expression, Cat Scared of Noise: How to Help Fearful Cats, How to Socialize Very Shy or Fearful Cats, Cat Scared of Strangers: How to Calm Anxious Cats. It's no wonder that some people feel so angry about cats. What if another person’s dog attacked and injured your dog, cat, or horse? It would clearly be intolerable behaviour. You are teaching your cat that when you give the cue “come,” she is always rewarded. If they beat up a passing cat (as a tom cat does in a cat fight), the RSPCA would be called. What gives? Read more on how to stop cats from fighting. If they must be in adjoining rooms, place a barrier at the bottom of the door. ©2019 Best Friends Animal Society. Nonrecognition aggression occurs when one cat is uncharacteristically aggressive toward a companion cat after a period of separation. If one cat keeps attacking a particular cat, the first step is to separate the cats from each other completely — in separate areas of the house. My cat came back later with a bite wound that needed expensive treatment. Cat owners: it's time to stand up and be counted. If they kept to their own territory, it wouldn't be so bad. You can do this by paying close attention to the warning signs of anxiety and aggression, which include dilated pupils, growling, a direct stare at the other cat, tense body posture, and a swishing tail. The neighbor said the alleged attack happened 2 nights ago. Make sure that you always reward her when you call her and she comes to you. They have been together for a few months now and seemed to get along, even when we moved to a new house. How to keep your dogs calm on Bonfire Night, Young love and exotic creatures: confessions of a 1970s Notting Hill vet, Pet Subjects: How can we persuade our collie to accept our new kitten?Â, Pet Subjects: How can we prevent our cat from being attacked by a rival?Â, Pet Subjects: How can we stop a neighbouring cat from intimidating ours?Â, Vets to check microchips to save healthy dogs. If the cats are fighting over access to and attention from you, you can teach them that this behavior is not rewarding, that it drives away your attention instead. And what makes this all far worse, is that they do this in other people's gardens. The other cat … Should cat owners be reprimanded when their cats kill birds? ... 2019 at 3:09 am. Cats have a remarkable ability to polarise public opinion. Cats that have access to the outside are able to fulfill more of their natural behaviours, so they're more content, and they suffer less from stress.Â. Pet Subjects: Why are our normally friendly dogs so stressed about another family pet? If you are unable to recognize the early signs of an altercation, do not attempt this technique. If a medical evaluation reveals no abnormalities, the following recommendations may help your cats to resolve their differences. Pet Subjects: My shih tzu smells awful and scratches until he bleeds. Teaching a cat to come is fairly simple. Are you trying to figure out how to handle cat aggression towards other cats? At every mealtime, when you start going toward the area where the food is located, say “[kitty’s name], come.” Your cat will soon associate mealtime with the word “come.” After one week, start saying “come” at random times during the day. However cats don't always enjoy being kept indoors: while they live longer lives (protected from traffic hazards and other outdoor risks), indoor cats suffer from more stress related conditions. Learn More. The owner knew of the cat’s violent behavior and let the cat roam free without constraint, resulting in the cat scratching someone on their property. This means that those sharing their homes with a cat need to provide a suitable environment and suitable diet; to satisfy the cat’s need to be able to … Remember that mild aggressive displays, such as hissing and then walking away, can be normal when two cats have not seen each other for several weeks. If one cat keeps attacking a particular cat, the first step is to separate the cats from each other completely — in separate areas of the house. But when cats do these things, somehow it's acceptable. Thanks God I wasn’t far to run and help my son. Pet Subjects: Why has my cat lost so much weight? Start by allowing the cats some access to each other. Wait a while before you try again and when you do, start with the food bowls further away from the door. , Reader Q&A 2 This week, our Litter Box Mentor , Cat Coach Marilyn Krieger , answers reader Renee’s question about why her cat Izzy is intimidating her other cat, Skittles, in the litter box…and what Renee can do to restore peace. Instead, stop moving and reacting to the cat. Keep each room of the house equipped with special toys and treats. If you'd hit the cat with your car, you wouldn't be liable for the vet's bill, so I don't see why your cat (supposedly) attacking this other cat would make you liable. The more frequently you are able to do this exercise, the more quickly your cats will progress, but aim for a minimum of twice daily. It may be tempting to get frustrated at your cat for this behavior, but remember that your cat is probably acting out of grief (though issues like urinating … I’m going to assume you didn’t take her to the groomer’s or otherwise add a new smell to her. A Cats Right to Roam Excuse – There is a misconception by many cat owners that because cat law says that ‘a cat has a right to roam’ then they (the owners) cannot be held responsible for whatever their feline pets get up to.. That’s right, many a cat owner couldn’t care less about your scratched car bonnet or the real health risks of cat … To be liable, you have to have a duty to do something to protect the cat which wasn't invited onto your property. They stopped fighting and both went over the fence as I went to pick up my cat. I have a 3 cat household, 2 males and a female. If you have a cat that you know irritates your neighbours, you really should take responsibility for this. others responsible for a cat to ensure that a cat’s needs are met. The youngest cat and the oldest cat sleep all wrapped up in each other frequently so I don’t know why it keeps happening . For 3-4 years, the female would attack one male - she would pounce on him (she's younger and heavier) and I'd separate them. If a human hopped over a fence with an air gun, and began to pick birds off a neighbour's bird table, they'd be arrested for cruelty to animals. Narrow your eyes and 'cat smile' if you want more feline affection, How a stray cat called Nala won the heart of a burly Scottish cyclist and became a social media star. So, rather than to ignore the issue – I am taking a strong stand. We rely on advertising to help fund our award-winning journalism. Well yesterday, there were 2 street cats fighting on the street in front of our house and as can well imagine, cats literally scream and screech. You never want to retaliate and hit your cat out of anger. My daughter's cat was attacked a week ago by her neighbour's cat which ended up with a vets bill of over £200. They have five potential weapons (their teeth and all fou… I'm a cat lover, but I'm aware of the irritation that cats sometimes cause others. She turns on her side as you rub her belly, and she kneads her paws in contentment. The cause of this type of aggre… If these techniques do not solve your cats’ problem, please seek the help of your local shelter, a veterinarian, or a behaviorist. :mad:This time my daughter witnessed the cat … The fearful cat may initially attempt to avoid the fear stimulus if that is an option. It's time for cat owners to accept culpability. In some cases, a grieving cat may misbehave.You may find your grieving cat urinating outside of the litter box, knocking things over, and becoming very vocal. Pet Subjects: Why does my kitten keep sneezing so often? 2. Do not allow them to paw at or smell each other through a door. What's wrong with him? If you wait too long, the cats will be so aroused and upset that your presence will no longer be important; they will fight despite the fact that you are no longer in the room. The poor thing was terrified … Then, before you know what happened, she hisses and bites your hand. Situate each cat on either side of a door adjoining two rooms and let them smell each other through the crack at the bottom of the door. Q. She said my cat came onto her property and attacked her cat, so I am responsible for the vet bills. It’s a good idea to spay maternally aggressive cats to prevent future litters and future aggres… Medical problems can cause a cat to be in pain, grouchy or confused, which increases the likelihood for aggressive behavior. The diffuser is plugged into the wall and lasts a month.). Worse again, imagine if one of your neighbours sneaked into your garden, and squatted in your flowerbeds instead of using an indoor toilet. When you see these signs, get up from what you are doing and leave the room. My cat is just over a year old and every night he wakes me up around 3-5 am by clawing at my legs under the blanket. If they must be in adjoining rooms, place a barrier at the bottom of the door. I'm a cat lover, but I'm aware of the irritation that cats sometimes cause others. Providing the playful cat with enough exercise can eliminate the problem. It's the fact that they leave their own homes, head over the fence, and trespass in other people's back yards to do their dirty business. How dare they! Youre on the couch, petting your purring cat just like you have on many previous quiet evenings. (The spray is used in locations where cats rub, like the edge of a couch. Because of its calming effect, this product is sometimes effective in helping to reduce aggressive events. Before you reintroduce the cats (see below), create a plan for how to minimize the triggers that cause fighting. It may even make the cat's prey instinct kick in more, spurring it on to bite down harder. All Rights Reserved. After two to three weeks of feeding exercises with no aggression, you can start allowing the cats direct access to each other, with your supervision. When the cat had attacked a dog without provocation and the dog owner was injured in the process. Read about cat behavior modification techniques. You will know for sure whether your cat does or does not have rabies and your vet will recommend some remedies for the problem behaviour your cat now has. Next, think about the “triggers” that might be causing the fights. The neighbor was very upset and took the cat to the emergency vet. Experts Weigh In , Good Stuff! This occurs when a cat feels that an intruder has invaded their territory. Practice several times per day. But last week when I came home from work, the two … Reacting strongly can increase the cat's stress and interest in attacking you. If the cats attack each other after seeing another animal outdoors, block visual access to the outdoors. Then just last evening the same cat attacked my daughter's cat again and opened up the wounds, inflected by it, again. Dogs are not just for lockdown: pet prices continue to rise, The good dog guide: everything you need to know before getting a 'lockdown puppy'Â. Ideally, though, you should confine them in separate parts of the house where there is no opportunity for contact. There are three aspects of cats' behaviour that people despise: first, they kill wild birds in back gardens, second, they attack and injure other people's cats, and third, they dig and defecate in gardeners' seed beds. Am I legally responsible for paying the emergency vet bills, even though it was a stray cat? It is very important to make certain that you are providing each cat with enough exercise and playful interaction. Pet Subjects: Why has my African grey parrot lost his appetite? Cats have glands in their cheeks that produce pheromones, chemical substances that can help to relieve anxiety and that provide information about the cat producing those pheromones. Some cats respond very well to the use of a synthetic pheromone spray or diffuser, products that you can buy in pet supply stores. If your cat attacks, it’s important to remain calm and not let the attack rattle you to the point that you want to lash out and hurt the cat. Although cat aggression is sometimes taken less seriously than dog aggressionperhaps because cats are smaller and dont pursue people to bite themaggressive cats can be formidable. The cat who attacks was in a one-cat home until we put them together, but she … read more We urge you to turn off your ad blocker for The Telegraph website so that you can continue to access our quality content in the future. He should have pet insurance or keep his cat indoors if he doesn't want to deal with the consequences of his cat being allowed to roam freely. I worry about what happens to my oldest cat whenever I am … In Australia, in particular, the protection of native wildlife is a priority that trumps the right of cats to enjoy freedom. After calling the cats to you, play with them individually or give them each a food reward. We have 5 cats from 2 different homes. Best Friends Animal Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, operates the nation's largest sanctuary for homeless animals; provides adoption, spay/neuter, and educational programs. Provide each cat with food, water, a litter box, a comfortable place to sleep, and regular interaction with you (playing and/or petting). Oftentimes, fights occur when one cat wants to play and the other cat doesn’t. “Yes, it's my cat, but it's not my fault” just isn't good enough. The cat is alive, but appeared to be badly injured. You are teaching them that good things happen in each other’s presence. When Dogs Injure Other Animals. Next, feed each cat a small bowl of special food (such as canned food or a small amount of tuna) within about five feet of the door. It could be one of several things or some combination thereof. All of a sudden, my 10-year-old female calico and my 5-year-old male tabby (both of whom are neutered) have started attacking my 1-year-old female. It is crucial that you leave the room at the first signs of anxiety. Another technique you can use to prevent a fight is to teach the cats to come when called. Take your cat to the vet, for goodness sake. Yet if any action is taken against the cat by an aggrieved owner, the law would be fully on the side of the cat. There are many ways to keep cats out of gardens, but there are occasions when it could be more appropriate to use systems to keep cats inside their own gardens. In the UK, only around 10% of cats are kept permanently indoors. European culture generally accepts that cats should be allowed access to the outside, as they've had for thousands of years, but perhaps it's time to rethink responsibilities. i am currently being charged with a dog attack and face putting my beloved German shorthair down because she attacked a cat…she was not trained to kill or harm other animals it is her instinct to hunt prey….now i have a fenced yard where she is kept and exercized and she has never tried to dig her wayout … I would dispute that you do. Let's say you saw the cat strolling across your backyard and allowed, or even encouraged, your dog to attack it. She has not taken the cat to the vet for treatment yet. Maternal AggressionA female cat with a litter of kittens may hiss, growl, chase, swat or try to bite another cat who approaches, even one with whom she was formerly friendly. The males are 9-10 yrs old and the female is 5. For example, after one cat returns home from a veterinary visit, the cat that stayed home is aggressive toward the returning cat, who may flee, freeze (hold still), or fight back. If the cats primarily fight over resources, such as access to food or resting places, provide them with abundant resources. Where this is the case, owners are more responsible for the damage that their companions cause, so that an owner of an aggressive cat needs to take steps to prevent it from escaping Cat owners are generally not responsible for the ‘normal’ behaviour of cats because the law accepts that cats tend to wander into other … From 2016, it will be compulsory for all dogs to be microchipped in the UK: what about including cats, as is already done in parts of Australia? Problems often occur when a new cat is brought home, a young kitten reaches maturity, or a cat sees or encounters neighborhood cats outside. Q: A while back you had some advice about pesky pets, and suggested a motion detector sprinkler for cats. Her cat is declawed and is outside 24 hours a day. Part of the law requires a ‘responsible person’ (see Definitions) to provide for the needs of an individual cat. Pet Subjects: What is causing my tolling retriever's over-amorous behaviour? The other day, a cat came over the fence and attacked mine. These recommendations will also be helpful for cats who have been introduced to each other recently and are not getting along. One will not stop attacking another one, although all other relationships are fine. It's time for cat owners to accept culpability. Move over dogs and cats, chickens are becoming our new favourite pets. Pet Subjects: Can a cat happily live indoors all the time? While inter-cat disputes are accepted by most owners as inevitable, on rare occasions the consequences can become serious – particularly in those cases where frequent injuries are inflicted by one particularly assertive individual. If the cats show warning signs of aggression, close the door immediately and remove the food. Aggression is a form of communication and is not necessarily bad as long as the cats are simply listening to each other’s communication, and are not fighting with each other. I am the one who feed him in the morning, but most days I will feed him, go back to bed, and he still attacks! Be patient. And the pesky cats from next door are destroying my … The cat owner may be liable … For example, your cats may fight when both want attention from you, or they may become territorial and fight over preferred resting places, or they may fight when they see another cat outdoors. After the cats are eating for a few seconds, open the door between the rooms. This will take away all the fun the cat gets from the attack. She also called animal services. In the UK, dog owners are responsible for their pets: humans are liable for any damage caused by the animals. It's different with cats: they are seen in the law as independent free agents, on their own. Should I Seek an Attorney if a Cat Has Attacked Me? Am I liable for veterinary bills if my cat attacks someone else’s cat? Well, I tried that without success. After you have decided what technique to use to prevent aggressive incidents, it is time to reintroduce the cats to each other. Pupil dilation is common. Fearful cats will typically hiss, spit, growl, pilo-erect (fur stands up), flatten their ears against the head and show a low or crouched body position. My dog escaped from our yard and attacked a stray cat that the neighbor often feeds. The event with my cat being attacked was such a shock, the village didn’t feel so safe for us anymore. He does not go near the other person in bed, only me. In most cases, providing them with adequate playtime and social interaction and learning how to head off aggressive incidents will resolve the problem. This can instill a sense of fear in your cat that can potentiate future attacks by your cat, now out of fear of you, and aggression. Maternal aggression usually subsides once the kittens are weaned. Keep a box handy containing special toys or treats that your cats really like. If the cats show warning signs of aggression, distract them, redirect their attention toward you, and take note of when and why the behavior occurred. So what can be done? Today my 4 years old was watching TV while the cat was sleeping, he screamed and the cat got very aggressive and attacked him badly. She just informed us of this last night. What happened to turn your mild-mannered cat into Cujo? My Cat Scares My Other Cat in the Litter Box! The rules vary from state to state. When you see signs of anxiety, you can call them to you and reward them for their good behavior. I do not believe that I am liable for several reasons: (1) My cat has never bitten anyone before; (2) My neighbor told 2 people that she threw dirt iton the cats face to try and get her to leave (this seems like provocation); and (3) It is common knowledge that cats are unpredictable when handled by strangers (she did not call … Pet Subjects: How can we prevent neighbouring cats from using our garden as a lavatory?

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