My ongoing amazement that cats don't kill each other

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Brian Link - 22 Oct 2004 06:12 GMT

Actors:
    Tiger: 11 yr old, friendly farm cat, outliving several cats.
    Louis: 2 yr old Bengal purebreed, Tiger's best friend
    Henry: 1+ yr old stray, loves people, hates Tiger & Louis
Background:
    Henry adopted 4 months ago. Sequestered.
Tonight:
    Henry in kennel for 2+ hours without complaint.
Scene:
    Henry accidentally sequestered in basement with Tiger.

I was settling down for a long winter's nap, when I heard screaming
from the basement.

The door was flung open, and I charged downstairs with the broom,
immediately sensing what had happened. I saw Henry and Tiger in a
death-grip, and slammed the broom between them. Suddenly, Louis (who
had followed me downstairs to defend his "brother") and Henry were
locked in a death-grip, amidst howling and shrieking.

I was able to grab Henry and carry him up to the bathroom upstairs..
then move the cats out of the basement. I then popped Henry downstairs
and proceeded to inspect everyone. Plenty of cat-spit on everyone, but
no wounds.

I thought for sure someone was going to the all-night pet clinic, but
inexplicably all survived with no injury.

Man, it sucks to love cats.

BLink

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kaeli - 22 Oct 2004 14:13 GMT

> I was able to grab Henry and carry him up to the bathroom upstairs..
> then move the cats out of the basement. I then popped Henry downstairs
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> I thought for sure someone was going to the all-night pet clinic, but
> inexplicably all survived with no injury.

It's not unusual for cats to fight, yet not injure each other.
It looks very scary to us and sounds horrible, but if they're just having
dominance or territory squabbles, more than likely they won't hurt each other
(they might give YOU a heart attack, though *LOL*). A bit of blood from a
bite doesn't mean much, either, especially if it is on the muzzle (thinner
skin there) - teeth that can do so much damage can accidentally cut when they
didn't mean to. A claw might catch when they didn't mean it, too. Or one
might bat at the other's face and hit a tooth, cutting themselves.

The redirected aggression between the brothers that you mentioned is also not
abnormal.

So, don't worry, you have normal, albeit a bit pissed off, cats. :)
And on the brightest side, if they didn't do any damage, they didn't mean to
- they don't hate each other as much as you think. *heh*

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--
~kaeli~
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
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Priscilla Ballou - 22 Oct 2004 16:28 GMT

> So, don't worry, you have normal, albeit a bit pissed off, cats. :)
> And on the brightest side, if they didn't do any damage, they didn't mean to
> - they don't hate each other as much as you think. *heh*

Indeed. I have three adult cats, one female and two males. Benjie was
one of the original two in the house, and Sebbie was rescued/socialized
a couple of years later. Benjie likes to play hall monitor and boss
Sebbie around, but every once in a while Sebbie remembers that he's
bigger than Benjie and starts objecting. They've gotten into what looks
like a deathgrip on the kitchen floor, screaming and apparently
fighting, but when I speak to them sternly or put down their dinner,
it's broken up with only a little fur in the air to show for it.

It may be time to hand out the Oscars.

Priscilla

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Barb - 22 Oct 2004 18:45 GMT

So if my cats should spot a strange cat walking about near their house or
deck they can become so enraged that they end up beating up on each other.
The screaming and the bushed out tails and fur are a frightening sight.

--
Barb
Of course I don't look busy,
I did it right the first time.

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Priscilla Ballou - 22 Oct 2004 22:32 GMT

> So if my cats should spot a strange cat walking about near their house or
> deck they can become so enraged that they end up beating up on each other.

That's precisely correct. Or they could turn on you. Displaced
aggression can be really scary.

> The screaming and the bushed out tails and fur are a frightening sight.

Yup. Back slowly out of the room and let them calm down before
approaching. It may take a day or more, depending on what set them off.

Priscilla

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teri - 23 Oct 2004 02:34 GMT

>I was settling down for a long winter's nap, when I heard screaming
>from the basement.

Sorry to hear it isn't getting any better. Seems like it has been
longer than 4 months doesn't it?
Teri

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