Cats can be fiercely independent and territorial creatures. Many neighborhood cats can coexist peacefully, but some are more dominant. If your cat has started to act a little differently, you may be wondering if there is an aggressive cat in the area causing trouble.
Spotting the signs of cat bullying is important, as it will allow you to take the steps you need to protect your cat. Here we list everything you need to look out for.
1. Unexplained Injuries or Scratches
One of the most obvious signs your cat is having trouble is unexplained injuries. If they do have scratches, these will most commonly appear on the face, ears, or back. For bite wounds, these are most common on the tail or hindquarters. They may also have a limp or generally be sore.
Subtle signs can be hard to spot, and it’s a natural instinct for cats to not show pain. This is because, in the wild, pain can make an animal seem vulnerable to potential prey. Without obvious injuries, look for signs such as flinching or avoiding certain movements.
2. Reluctance to Go Outside
If you have a cat that is usually eager to explore the outdoors but suddenly stops, this could be a bad sign. This is often a sign of fear as a bullying cat can be lurking nearby. Cats have keen senses, so they may be able to smell or hear the other cat before they even see it.
There may be other signs too. Hiding under the furniture when a door is opened is one of them, as is pacing near the door but not going out. Another is running back inside immediately after stepping out.
As with all of these points, it’s important to consider there may be other reasons. It may have had a negative experience with a different animal or perhaps some other traumatic experience. Injury or illness can also change their behavior in this way.
3. Changes in Toilet Habits
Outdoor cars will often use garden areas as toilets. This can sometimes be to relieve themselves, but at other times, it can also be territorial marking. If your cat is using the litterbox more often, it may no longer feel safe doing their business outside.
If your cat feels threatened, it may also start spraying inside the house to try and reclaim their territory. This can make them feel more secure, but they’ll hopefully stop it once they become less anxious.
On top of spraying, they may also exhibit other territorial behaviors in the home. Scratching furniture more than usual can happen at this time, as can rubbing up against objects more often. These are all signs your cat is trying to reestablish dominance.
4. Sudden Behavioral Changes
Stress and anxiety from being bullied can have a big impact on their mood. One sign is increased aggression, either in general or with other pets. Withdrawal, sudden skittishness, and increased clinginess are also signs to look out for.
Changes in appetite can happen. Your cat may start eating less, or only when they feel completely safe. If your cat is losing weight and there is no obvious other reason, it could be emotional distress from bullying.
Some cats can also be more vocal when they are anxious or distressed. They may start meowing at the door, crying at night, or making strange noises. This could be them trying to alert you to a problem. Also, listen to sounds of fights or hissing that may be coming from outside.
Signs of a Bully Cat Nearby
Along with looking at the behavior of your cat, it’s also a good idea to watch other cats in the area. If you see a larger and more confident car in your garden, then it may be scaring your cat. It may also be using your garden as a litter box.
You want to see if any fights are breaking out when your cat is outside. Dominant cats also may want to come into another cat’s home to steal food and assert dominance. It may be worth checking in with neighbors to see if they have experienced any problems.
It May Not be Bullying
Two cats tussling in the garden may seem like bullying, but it may not be as sinister as that. This could be local cats establishing a hierarchy. A dominant cat may be asserting its space but doing so without turning to full-on violence.
Play fighting can also be a natural cat behavior. Here they usually have their claws retracted and have no injuries. If you think that your cat has been fighting, then it may have been playing if there are none of the negative signs we mentioned above.
Other Reasons Your Cat May Not Want to Go Outside
Another aspect to consider is there may be other reasons your cat doesn’t want to go outside. It may be naturally more timid and anxious. It may be fearful around other cats because that’s their personality, rather than something physical happening.
As we mentioned, the behavior may also be caused by medical issues or pain. This could be the likes of arthritis, dental pain, or digestive problems. A vet check-up is always a good idea if you see sudden behavioral problems without an obvious cause.
Other reasons can be an environmental stressor, such as construction noise or a neighbor getting a new pet. Cats are sensitive to changes in their environment, so may become cautious if something significant happens.
What to Do If Your Cat Is Being Bullied
If you do suspect your cat is being bullied, there are a few things you can do. It may be best to keep them indoors, at least temporarily. This will allow you to monitor their changes in behavior more closely and if there is bullying, give them a break from it.
You can also secure your garden or yard. You can keep your cat safe by using a catio or trying to keep other cats out. Methods for this include using scent-based deterrents on your borders, outward-facing cat sensors, blocking entry points, or installing cat-proof fencing.
It may also be a good idea to speak to the owner of the cat. They may not know about the problem, or they could simply provide more information on the cat’s behavior. You can also let them know the steps you’ll be taking to safeguard your cat in a non-confrontational way.
