Inter-cat aggression in multi-cat households is one of the most common welfare problems for companion cats, causing chronic stress even when overt fighting is infrequent.
Inter-cat aggression causes chronic stress that affects the welfare of both aggressor and victim. The victim lives in constant threat avoidance, which elevates stress hormones and suppresses natural behavior. Even without physical injury, a cat that cannot access food, water, or litter box freely due to intimidation by another cat is experiencing significant welfare harm. The solution requires environmental modification — adequate space, separate resources, vertical territory — rather than simply separating cats after fights. Guardians who recognize subtle conflict signs and intervene through environmental improvement prevent chronic stress from becoming an entrenched welfare problem.