Subtle Signs of Cat Conflict

It's difficult to miss the overt signs of cat conflict. The hissing, swatting, growling, wailing, and chasing are some of the most recognizable and obvious signs of cat tension. However, how many of us are missing our cat’s subtle signs?

Subtle signs of cat conflict include behaviours like staring, hiding, tail twitching, leaving a favorite area when another cat enters the room, and blocking (one cat sitting in a doorway to main resources, blocking peaceful access). Because these are silent behaviours and because most cat parents don’t recognize them as conflict behaviours, tension between cats can go unnoticed by human family members for extended periods and continue to build until they erupt into physical conflicts.

It's important to understand that subtle signs of conflict should not be taken any less seriously than overt signs. If and when any of these behaviours are noticed and happen consistently, we need to begin looking at ways to help our cats reduce tension. This can be done by adding more resources and spreading them out around the home, increasing playtime, training, and enrichment, doing those fun activities separately and on a schedule, feeding cats in separate spaces at mealtime, and giving everyone time in their own spaces.

Recognizing both overt and subtle signs of cat conflict is crucial for maintaining a harmonious household. By being attentive to these signs and being proactive, we can help our kitties live more peacefully together.