Although they aren’t quite as gregarious and social as dogs, cats have a long history of having a reputation for being lonely. However, they can coexist peacefully in the same home as dogs. They could form bonds that are even stronger. One of the behaviors you could occasionally see if you have numerous cats at home is one cat slapping another cat. Why do cats frequently act in this way? Do they disagree with each other? Or is the matter at hand something else?
Why Do Cats Slap Their Paws?
A cat might swat another cat for a variety of reasons. You can learn why your cats are slapping each other by observing their other actions and body language. Even though there are some less desirable reasons why cats slap one another, it is a common behavior for them.
Starting the game
In order to start a game, playful, energetic cats may hit one other. Slapping cats will have performative cat-like body language. They will have their whiskers up and be concentrated on the situation at hand. Their claws will be drawn back to prevent injury to the other cat during the slap. You won’t hear the cat hissing, yowling, or howling at you while it slaps you. From all of these linguistic cues, another cat can deduce that the slapper wants to play.
Nasty tendencies
Cats are obligate carnivores, thus they must eat protein from animals. Cats acting aggressively will seem tense. In fact, this is used by a lot of modern technologies. Feather wands, jingle balls, and laser pointers prey on your cat’s predatory instincts. Cats may start to lash out at their housemates or you if they don’t have a good outlet for these inclinations. Your cat may be acting out of a repressed need to hunt if it slaps another cat in good fun but you still think it’s a little over the top.
Illness and pain
If a cat is in pain or not feeling well, they may slap another cat to get them to stay away. Chronically unwell or painful cats have a propensity to be more guarded with other indoor animals.
They can be concerned that accidentally aggressive animals would harm them. Cats, like dogs, might not always show external signs of arthritic changes. In fact, a study indicated that 61% of cats over the age of 6 had arthritic changes that could be seen in at least one joint on an x-ray and 48% of cats over the age of 6 had changes in several joints.
It’s crucial to stress that x-rays, not changes the owners had noticed, were utilized to diagnose the arthritis in these cats. It’s possible that a senior cat masking signs of arthritis pain when at home appears to be performing normally. Cats may be wounded, which may help to explain why they become grumpier as they age.
Aggression between cats and a lack of resources
Once more, although it’s not always the case, cats and other animals can live in harmony. There can occasionally be tension when cats live near to one another. They might be slapping each other because intercat aggression, a habit that occurs when cats live together and fight frequently. Their ears will lie flat on their skulls, and their faces will be taut, pressing their whiskers back against their faces. Since they are also tiny little predators, they have a high prey drive. Cats who slap each other to start a game communicate significantly differently from cats who slap each other to express intercat hostility. They’ll be vocalizing and making the customary screams, growls, and hisses of the “crazy cat.” Because each cat is different, intercat aggression can be a complicated behavioral problem. However, violence can also be brought on by a lack of resources in the home. Along with typical objects like litter boxes and water dishes, resources can also include things like toys, beds, and vertical spaces like cat trees and shelves.
Advice on How to Stop Cats Shaking Each Other
Although it is acknowledged that cats slap each other frequently, this does not mean that you should promote it in your cats. There are ways to lessen the possibility of cats smacking each other.
If your cats are slapping each other out of instinct and play, setting up regular and regulated playtimes for them can help. If a cat has set aside the same twenty minutes every day to hunt and pounce on its favorite wand toy or follow the elusive red dot, it may be less likely to swat its friends while playing. It is essential to remember that the thrill of the pursuit includes catching the prey at the end of the hunt. If your cat likes to play with laser pointers, consider concluding each session by throwing them a kicker toy they can leap on and “kill” with a bunny kick. Laser pointers prevent this from happening.
It is possible to ensure that no illnesses are forming that could harm or disturb your cat by keeping up with its regular exams. Cats frequently experience nervousness when they go to the vet, which makes it difficult for the veterinarian to adequately examine them and look for any signs of arthritis. With the help of a video you capture of your cat moving about or leaping up on objects, the vet can determine whether or not your cat has early arthritis. As your cat ages, think about starting them on a joint supplement. Your veterinarian might make a recommendation for the best item for your cat.
Although there are certain things you can do to reduce the stress in your cat’s home life, intercat conflict isn’t always easily resolved. An excellent way to start is by making sure there are enough litter boxes. Most behavior specialists recommend having an extra litter box for each cat you have in your home. Ideally, you should have three litter boxes if you have two cats.
Additionally, rather than concentrating them in one space or on one floor, experts advise spreading out your litter boxes across your home. You can lessen intercat aggression by constructing more vertical rooms in your home. Particularly in high traffic places like hallways, cat trees and shelves can give cats a more fitting outlet for their annoyance and lessen the stress of residing in limited confines.
Cats frequently fight one another. However, it might indicate a number of different things, and stopping it might need a number of different strategies. If you are concerned about your cat’s ongoing discomfort or want to find out how to improve the relationship between your cats, talk to your veterinarian.
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