Top 10 Products I Used to Help Reintroduce Fighting Cats
- Rachel
- Oct 8, 2024
- 11 min read
Updated: Mar 12
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Information accurate from October 2024. All photos are my own and previously unpublished.
Dealing with inter-cat aggression has been a learning curve in many ways and, at times, a costly one too. Not just in money but in time, effort and sanity!
Throughout this site you'll find numerous articles on aggression between my boys and cats in general, from how it started to each stage of the reintroduction process. I've spent a lot of time trying different products and remedies, some of which I've mentioned previously, and wanted to share everything in one place.
Note that just because these things worked for me doesn't necessarily mean you'll have the same success. All cats are different and will respond to different things. Hopefully, this article will offer some ideas and advice to point you in the right direction - and don't forget that you can adapt things to suit your cat's preferences and requirements.
If you haven't already done so, I recommend checking out these posts before continuing to get more of an idea on my situation and if it resonates with your own; as well as an in-depth look at some of the processes and techniques I used along the way. The earlier you can intervene, the more chance there is of a positive outcome.
Related posts:
None of the following recommendations are meant to replace veterinary care or medical treatment. You should always take cats for a health check-up to rule out underlying illnesses or conditions that could be causing your cat pain or suffering.
Top 10 Products I Used to Help Reintroduce Fighting Cats:
Remedies
I'm kicking off with pheromone diffusers because it's the easiest and most effective remedy that you want to begin when cats start showing signs of stress or associated behaviours. Stress is a number one culprit when bonded cats start fighting, and pheromone diffusers can take anything from 1-4 weeks to see the full effects.
I tried several well-known brands in the UK, including the big one, Feliway - but there really was no match for Comfort Zone. Made for use in single and multi-cat homes, Comfort Zone emits an analogue of feline pheromones to tackle all common signs of stress and conflict between cats in the same household. This includes behaviours such as scratching, urine spraying, excessive vocalisation, overgrooming and fighting.
I use two diffusers to cover upstairs and downstairs, as well as a third one in my bedroom where the cats spend a lot of time. This does bump up the cost, but it's still cheaper than the leading brand and makes a great budget option. Refill packs are even better value for money, and you can always tell when a vial runs out because the hissing starts all over again!
YuMove contains a unique combination of ingredients to help maintain calming pathways in the brain and support relaxation. Similar to diffusers, it can be used for stress-inducing events such as fireworks, changes to the environment; moving home and new pets or people. It's most effective when given daily, with easy-opening capsules so powder can be sprinkled over food.
Related post: Signs of Stress in Cats, Causes and Treatment
I will mention that my fussy felines won't eat anything that smells even slightly abnormal, and YuMove does have a strong fishy aroma. However, it's easily administered in a syringe with a drop of water (if your cats are willing).
While this didn't stop the fighting by any means, it did help Simba to chill out so he was less reactive to Drax's bullying. Even though they're no longer at war, it doesn't take much for tension to resurface and there's still a way to go as far as rebuilding the trust goes. I've found that YuMove helps in this respect, but I stopped giving it to Drax as he doesn't have the same anxiety issues as his brother.
Main ingredients:
Lemon balm promotes relaxation, soothes stress and encourages calmer behaviour.
L-Tryptophan is an ammino acid which is involved in the production of serotonin, helping to reduce stress.
B vitamins play an important role in supporting a cat's overall health and brain function.
The combination of natural GABA and L-Arginine helps to maintain calming pathways in the brain and support relaxation.
Fish protein supports a cat's brain and helps calming signals to find the right spot.
Also available from the YuMove brand are products designed to support joint care and healthy digestion for cats and dogs. Always consult with a veterinarian before giving pets supplements.
I bought these calming treats on a whim because they were on special offer, but I didn't expect them to have much of an effect. The product description claims they help to reduce the symptoms of distress and unwanted behaviour such as scratching, constant meowing, spraying and fighting.
Treats contain a mixture of herbs, including:
Melissa - calming and soothing with muscle relaxing properties.
Lavender - calming scent and properties.
Rosemary - reduces stress and anxiety by improving state of wellbeing.
Hops - calming and soothing.
Lime tree blossom - muscle relaxing properties and appeasing effects.
As mentioned previously, my boys are so finicky that they refused to eat the treats by themselves, despite the packaging boasting a "delicious meaty flavour" (aka chicken). The recommended dose for ongoing use is 2 treats per day, which I had to hide in a pile of kibble or other treat biscuits. They're also quite hard to chew, so I wouldn't advise giving them to senior cats or kittens.
It was hard to tell if Beaphar treats made much of a difference until the packet ran out. I started to notice that the boys were becoming slightly more reactive to each other - so of course, I bought some more!
I eventually stopped giving them to Simba as it seemed unnecessary on top of the YuMove, but I still sneak a couple into Drax's Dreamies treats just for something to take the edge off. Every little helps when you parent a couple of skittish cats that have a tendency to take their fears and anxieties out on each other.
I wouldn't recommend Beaphar Calming Treats as a standalone remedy, but rather for short-term situations such as prior to a vet visit or stressful event. This is because they don't need time to build up in the system like YuMove.
Beaphar also offers calming diffusers, sprays, spot-ons and collars.
Pet Remedy is arguably the most well-known brand after Feliway, although products have one major difference in how they function. Rather than using pheromone technology, Pet Remedy contains a blend of valerian, vetiver, basil and clary sage essential oils.
Their range of diffusers, wipes and sprays are clinically proven to work with pets' natural calming systems by mimicking GABA (also an ingredient of YuMove) which is a natural calming agent present in all mammals, birds and reptiles. This means products aren't cat specific and can be used on a range of pets, and the low concentration of oils is gentle and starts to help immediately.
The spray can be spritzed over bedding, cat trees, carriers or anywhere your kitty likes to hang out to promote calm and relaxation. It's important to remember that Pet Remedy, along with other calming products, are only a support mechanism to help calm excited nerves. There's still a matter of learnt and reactive behaviours to deal with.
The main benefit for me is having an extra level of calm for my overly skittish cats. It doesn't take much to spook them into turning on each other, even more so since the aggression started: fireworks, thunder, clanging pots and pans, opening the oven door....
More recently, I've started using Feliway Classic Spray in fighting zones which has made a massive difference as far as reducing unpleasant encounters.
Related post: 6 Best Cat Calming Sprays
Territory
Venture isn't only an award-winning UK baby care brand, but this product is suitable for larger pets too! Unlike dogs, it's a common concern when cat proofing the home that they can jump over whatever barrier you put in place.
While this isn't specifically built for cats, it stands at 110cm which is taller than your average baby gate. My boys have never attempted to jump over it, and you can block off any visual temptations by draping a blanket or sheet over the top of it.
Other features:
Expands to fit openings, doorways, halls and staircases with a width of 75cm-84cm.
Pressure mounted with included wall cups for added security.
Unique 90° two-way opening door with safety locking feature.
Available in black or white.
Cat trees are an essential part of feline furniture, whether you have one cat or an army of them. They're not only beneficial for sleeping, resting and climbing - but safety, too. In the wild, cats seek height advantage to look out for or escape larger predators, so it makes sense that they'd use them to avoid other household cats.
Feandrea Cat Tree Tower stands at 143cm and has multiple levels, with two cushioned perches, a roomy condo and lower hammock. This was Simba's safe zone and I honestly don't know how we'd have managed without it in those early stages. The height was a great deterrent, as Drax tended to go after him on smaller trees if they could reach to swipe each other. Even if he tried to follow, there was enough time to stop him from getting to the top or encroaching on Simba's space.
Simba was able to keep a watchful eye on his brother prowling around the living room during their supervised meetings. Once they grew more tolerant of each other, it provided an opportunity to get used to sharing the same space again and, eventually, sleeping side by side on the two perches.
Other features:
Large, sturdy base, making it safe to climb for multiple cats without toppling over.
Multiple resting spots.
Hanging pompoms and scratch posts for added enrichment.
Firstly, PawHut is my favourite brand for cat trees and you can guarantee that products are high quality, sturdy and worth every penny. I invested quite a bit in cat furniture, probably more so than anything else because keeping the boys out of each other's ways was a crucial part of avoiding conflict. I plan on adding more territory over time, including wall-mounted shelving.
Providing these avoidance/escape opportunities really made a difference, and I figured the steps would make it easier for Simba to climb up to safety without being cornered - such a horror movie cliché, I know. It was actually Drax that started using them, which was surprising given that he was the bully or chaser in these scenarios. This told me that he didn't want to engage in confrontation but, more likely, he felt that he had no choice.
As I've highlighted so many times, stress can have major impacts on a cat's behaviour. Drax seemed to use the steps as a quick exit so he could observe his brother without it falling into a territorial battle. By making sure there was always something to jump onto if they had to pass by each other in close proximity, it gave both cats their own space and Simba's confidence grew from there.
I can't stress enough the importance of adding as much territory as your home can allow - just a small elevation off ground level makes a huge difference to a cat's personal space. Check out this post for more recommendations: Small Cat Tree Stands and Towers for All Cats (Tried and Tested)
Other features:
Sisal-wrapped scratching posts for sharpening claws.
Made from solid particle board and covered in soft plush fabric.
Round top perch, which is quite small for an adult cat but Drax is 5kg and just manages to squeeze onto it.
Helps senior cats and kittens to climb.
This is a medium-sized cat stand at 100cm tall, which is probably why Simba doesn't use it. Taller cat trees with built-in huts or beds are more suitable for scared or anxious cats to hide in.
Window hammocks, seats or perches aren't only great for indoor cats, but convenient for saving space and can be folded up when not in use. There are a few different styles, including hammocks that clip onto window frames that can be easily removed. I was never a fan of the suction cup application due to the danger of them falling off, but they've come a long way in design and features.
I recommend this one because, rather than wetting suction cups and leaving them to dry, these are simply pressed onto the window and tightened with caps that essentially suck all the air out using pressure. A small word of caution, if windows become condensed then it can cause slippage between the glass and suction cups. Always ensure a clean, dry surface for maximum hold.
For larger windows, you could apply multiple hammocks to create a fun climbing area. This is a good alternative to wall-mounted shelves that can cause permanent damage to decor.
Other features:
Double-sided washable mat with a combination of breathable mesh and soft plush for all seasons.
Stainless steel frame that can hold up to 18kg.
Multiple sizes and colours.
Toys and Enrichment
If you're familiar with this site - and my cats - then you'll know that playtime is more of a chore than entertainment for my lazy dumplings. I've tried numerous interactive toys for the promise of extra stimulation, but they're still more excited by a screwed up ball of paper than a £30 gadget. It doesn't help that they're a couple of wimps that scarper from anything that moves too fast or too noisily.
However, this was the only toy I found that distracted them enough to take the focus away from hissing at each other. In fact, it was the first time they were able to sit side by side in a room together for weeks, so I have to give it some credit.
Tyasoleil Interactive Cat Toy was actually recommended on another blog that described a similar case of redirected aggression between sibling cats but, unfortunately, I can't remember the name. I'm making the same recommendation in the hopes that it'll help you as much as it helped me in those early stages. So, how does it work?
In short, feathers are attached to the wand that slots into a rotating base, and the unpredictable motion patterns mimic real-life prey. There are three play modes: "Escape", where feathers fly through the air; "Hide and Seek" under the plastic sheet; and affixing the base to a cat tree post.
Other features:
Fleecy base design to prevent slippage.
Slow, medium and fast speeds for cats of all ages.
USB rechargeable.
Auto shut-off after 5 minutes and reactivated by touch so cats can operate the toy themselves.
The only downside, along with every other toy, is that the novelty wears off fast and my cats were bored after the initial excitement. To keep things fun, this lives in the toy box and I get it out every other day so it's always something new.
Related post: 12 Types of Cat Toys and Games for All Cats to Play
Laser pointers should ideally be used in combination with toys so cats have a physical "prey" or reward to avoid frustration, but as far as distraction goes, I was never without a laser pointer in my back pocket. You never known when things might kick off, and lasers give cats a focus as well as something to chase. More than that, it allows you to lead cats away from each other or wherever you want them to go.
This particular product is multifunctional with a built-in flashlight and UV mode, while the laser comes in a choice of shapes including the standard dot, a smiley face, mouse, butterfly and star. The cute design is comfortable to hold for long periods of time.
While these aren't the only products I used when reintroducing my cats, they were the most useful in my experience. With a combination of natural remedies, toys, enrichment and territory, it should be much easier for cats to get along - but it won't happen overnight. Find a process or routine that works best for your cats and, remember, I'm always on hand to offer more products and advice!
Information accurate from October 2024 and may be subject to change. Feel free to get in touch if you think this article needs updating.
Have you tried any of these recommendations? Did they work for your cats? Feel free to share in the comments any products or advice that others might find helpful when dealing with inter-cat aggression.
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