🐈⬛ My Cat Is Attacking the Other Cat
Fear, Territory, and the Illusion of Toughness
Puffy tail, ears and whiskers flat: this cat is afraid.
Cats don’t do power. They do survival. When one cat attacks another, it almost never comes from confidence — it comes from terror wearing a leather jacket.
You see it and think, “Why is he being such a bully?” But he’s thinking, “Why is everyone trying to kill me?”
The tough act is camouflage. Fear cats don’t start fights because they want to dominate. They start fights because their brain is screaming RUN OR DIE — and sometimes the “run” part just… doesn’t download correctly.
Fear-Based vs. Redirected Aggression
Redirected aggression happens when your cat sees something threatening — like another cat through the window — and attacks the nearest moving object (usually your leg).
Fear-based aggression, though, is internal. It’s the cat’s nervous system going DEFCON 1 when it perceives social or environmental instability.
Here’s how you can tell the difference:
Redirected Aggression
- Triggered by external stressors (stray cats, loud noises, vet visits)
- Sudden, explosive attack
- Cat returns to normal quickly
- Looks angry, but isn’t sure why
Fear-Based Aggression
- Triggered by internal anxiety (social insecurity, trauma)
- Chronic tension, low growls
- Cat stays hypervigilant and defensive
- Feels terrified, not dominant
The “I’m Terrified, So I’m a Badass” Problem
Cats have one of the most efficient fight-or-flight systems in nature. The problem is, some cats get stuck on “fight.” They go into crisis mode so often that they forget what safety feels like.
When a new cat enters the home — or even if an existing cat starts acting weird — your anxious cat sees instability. Instability equals danger. Danger equals aggression.
This is why introductions fail: because humans rush the timeline, skip the slow scent work, and expect two apex predators to just vibe.
“Dear Humans,
Stop assuming the cat who hisses first is the problem. They’re not plotting. They’re panicking.
Your “bully” cat might be terrified of losing their food, their space, or you.
You can’t punish fear out of a cat. You can only build trust back into them.
Also — stop yelling “NO!” at them. All they hear is, “See? Even my human hates me now.””
The Behaviorist’s Truth
When one cat bullies another, it’s easy to assume malice — but most “alpha” behavior is just fear in costume. Terrified cats hit first because they think it’ll save them.
And yes, you can train courage — that’s what behaviorists do. Confidence building isn’t optional; it’s the backbone of recovery.
For the aggressor, it rewires panic into predictability. For the cat on the receiving end — the one who’s learned to hide, freeze, or flinch — confidence work is everything.
Both cats need to feel in control again. Safety isn’t a state; it’s a skill.
The Defensive Cat’s Playbook
A defensive-aggressive cat’s world is built on overreaction. You can spot it in three moves:
Freeze — body low, pupils blown, tail twitching like a live wire.
Fake Confidence — puffed fur, slow blink replaced by murder eyes.
Preemptive Strike — attacks before the other cat even looks at them.
Your job isn’t to dominate or scold. It’s to convince them they don’t have to be afraid anymore.
“Dear Humans, Again,
Separate them. Don’t wait “to see if it settles.”
If one cat is hiding under the bed while the other prowls like a landlord collecting rent, the situation isn’t “dominance.” It’s trauma.
You’ll need to:
1. Create two safe zones.
2. Swap scents daily.
3. Feed them separately on etiher side of that barrier.
4. Praise neutrality like it’s world peace.
If you can’t do it alone, call a professional. We’re fear translators.”
The Healing Phase
Reintroduction isn’t about tolerance. It’s about rebuilding a nervous system.
Fear-based cats need gentle exposure, short positive sessions, and constant proof that nothing bad happens anymore.
The victim cat — the one who’s been cornered, chased, or jumped — needs help too. Confidence work restores autonomy.
They both have to believe they’re safe — and that takes time, strategy, and zero shortcuts.
If your cats are locked in a fear loop, it’s not your fault — but it is fixable. You don’t need dominance theory. You need a behavior map.
Start by booking a consultation through In-Home Cat Behaviorist San Antonio or Worldwide Cat Behavior Help and let’s rebuild peace with precision.
Fear is loud. But safety — that’s what changes everything.
