Tension from Outdoor Cats or Scary Event

Cats see, hear, and smell things that people may not notice. For example, a neighborhood cat spraying a bush in the corner of the yard, a scary-shaped shadow, a dog digging in a garbage can, or the smell of a cat from your friend’s house who rubbed on your shoes. If your cat feels threatened, they can show “protective behaviors” which could include hiding, avoiding a certain location in the home, or trying to increase the distance between them and another cat, which could lead toward growling, hissing, swatting and/or biting in an attempt to escape or fight off the perceived danger.

Even bonded cats (previously good friends) can become distrustful after such an encounter (even if it is caused by an outdoor cat), leading to hissing, growling, and even fighting. Sometimes, a startled cat may react towards a person instead of another cat, especially if the person is blocking the other cat, an exit, or the direction the cat wants to run.

Here’s what you can do to help your cats rebuild trust after a scary event:

Interrupt the Interaction

• If you see tension rising, safely intervene by placing a large towel, pillow or even a large piece of cardboard between the cats to block visual contact.
• Carefully pick up the calmer cat and place them in a quiet, safe room. Close the door and allow both cats to calm down. This may take a long period of time, so you will need to bring items into the room such as a litter box, food, water, a bed, and a place to hide.
• Never interact with cats who are hissing, growling, tail flicking, urine marking, or showing other signs of tension because cats who cannot access the cat they are directing their behaviors toward may readily redirect their frustration onto the closest target (cat, person, etc.).
• Always have items (balls, play toys, puzzles, etc.) scattered around the home and treats readily available. These can be used both as distractions and rewards.

Separate Relaxation

• Avoid interacting with the cats when they are separated beyond providing food, water, and a litter box in their separate rooms. Wait until they return to their usual behavior before attempting a reintroduction. See the Step-by-Step Guide to introducing cats.

Reintroduction Techniques

• For information on re-introducing your cats, read more on decreasing tension here.

Restoring Trust with Humans

• If a human was the target of the aggression, that person can help rebuild trust by using a feline synthetic pheromone spray, such as Feliway Classic® spray, on their clothes.
• Allow the cat to completely relax before initiating any interaction, such as offering food or playtime with a favorite toy.

Seeking Professional Help

• If tension remains after a night of separation (hissing, slinking, chasing), consult your veterinarian for a full re-introduction program, as if the cats were meeting for the first time.
• In some cases, medication might be necessary to help the cats overcome their fear.
• Early intervention is key. Ignoring the initial tension or letting it escalate can make the problem much harder to resolve and permanently damage your cat’s relationships with other pets and people in the home. If you feel unsure or overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance from your veterinarian.

Remember, patience and a calm approach are crucial for helping your feline companions feel safe and secure once again.