Cats are often more difficult for owners to read than dogs Determining whether cats are getting along or not can be tricky. So here’s a summary of some useful cat body language signs to look for will help to determine whether cats are friends or foes!

Cat play involves various behavioural patterns from fighting, predation and mating. This means it can be difficult to always determine what their true motivations are. Also, even if one is playing the other cat might not be enjoying it. What starts as play might end up in a less enjoyable encounter. What any individual cat or human might find playful, another might not interpret the same way. A cat in a vulnerable position, or one who is timid or insecure in their interactions may interpret play behaviour as a threat.

Looking out for playful signs will help to determine whether your cats are playing, or maybe not.

So you’ve read up on body language and now you’re observing your cats interacting you think they might be falling out. What do you do?

In the moment, it’s tempting to jump in and physically move one of the cats. This can put you at risk, and could spark a full fight that the cats may otherwise have navigated around. If the cats can learn to avoid a full fight now then they should find it easier next time. Their coping strategies will become more ritualised. So, if your cats are posturing at each other, you may want to step back and monitor them. See if they can come to an agreement on their own.

If the cats don’t seem to be swiftly working things out, or things are escalating or would normally escalate in this situation, then try distracting the initiating cat away. This is generally the cat who is more “offensive”, or confident looking. By calling them away and keeping them thoroughly distracted the other cat gets away, avoiding escalation.

If you call the “defensive” cat, then them moving may trigger an attack from the more offensive cat. If there is a risk that either cat may escalate, or they cannot be distracted away, then slowly slide a towel, pillow or large piece of cardboard between them. Block visual contact and allow them to move away from each other.

Make sure your cats each have plenty of space, resources (food, water, resting areas, scratching posts, litter trays, access to you), appropriate play, enrichment, access outside if safe, and make sure you have plenty of hidey holes and shelving for your cats to avoid each other in each room they have access to.

If the fighting is causing you or your cats worry, then seek out a professional who can help you.