Signs of Cat Fights

For reasons of territoriality, mate competition and food, cats will sometimes fight with each other. Most interactions between cats who don't like each other consist of posturing and threats, but when two or more cats get into a full-blown fight, it is a sight to behold. Cats are vicious in battle, and injuries are common.

  1. Noise

    • The sound of a cat fight is unmistakable and usually happens at night. If you hear a guttural growl or a single shriek, these are usually signs of cats "negotiating," or attempting to intimidate each other. When they actually begin to fight, the sound is an ear-splitting and sustained combination of shrieks, hisses and high-pitched yowls. Anyone who has been awakened by these sounds under her window will remember them. If you have a cat who is outside at night and you hear these sounds, get outside as quickly as possible to break up the fight and minimize the chances of injury.

    Hiding

    • After a fight, many cats will be intimidated or frightened and will want to hide. This is a common reaction to stress among animals and may or may not indicate actual injury. If you find your cat under a couch or in the basement and refusing to come out, inspect him to make sure he isn't injured, but otherwise leave him alone for a day or two to get over the stress. Cats will usually come out after the stress has passed and carry on with their lives as though nothing has happened.

    Fur

    • A fairly dependable sign of a cat fight is the presence of fur on a lawn or in the street. Unless someone has been grooming her pet in this location, cat or dog fur spread around on the ground is usually the aftermath of a fight. Cats fight mainly by clawing at each other, and this can result in the removal of substantial amounts of fur. This isn't serious unless a cat's claws actually connect with the other cat's skin, in which case injury can occur.

    Injury

    • The most common injuries that result from cat fights are scratches or puncture wounds to the face, front limbs and base of the tail. These may be difficult to see, particularly if you have a long-haired cat. If you know your cat has been in a fight, inspect him very carefully by riffling through his hair with your hands and looking for blood, punctures, scratches or areas where he responds to your touch as if he is in pain. If you find a wound, keep a very close eye on it, because the bacteria in cats' mouths and claws will often lead to infection.