Cats are curious and very intelligent. Cat lovers believe they make the best pets because they are clean and smart. They have a brain anatomy like humans, so they can remember their names, their owners’ names, and the voices of those they have bonded with. Cats provide companionship and keep away so many other animals, such as snakes, from your home. Cats are playful and sometimes engage in severe fights with each other. So, Why are my cats fighting at night?

Here are four reasons why cats fight at night:

1. Cats Are Nocturnal Beings

Cats were domesticated from the wild, where they had adopted a survival mechanism to sleep during the day as they hid from predators. They would then go hunting during the night and were thus more active at night.

This explains why many kittens are active at night but sleep and rest during the day. Being involved at night would mean playing and fighting with other cats. It is also more common to hear cats yowling at night than during the day.

 2. Cats Are Possessive

Cats love to have their own items, such as toys, eating bowls, or sleeping mats. Having multiple cats share the same things could cause conflict between the cats. When no one is watching, cats have more chances to fight over their items at night.

Fighting over possessions often happens when a new cat is brought in and thus perceived as a threat by the older cat. The act of being possessive could also be a result of you, the owner. If your senior cat sees a new cat, he wants to clarify that you belong only to them.

3. Cats Are Territorial

Cats mark their territories and have favorite spots around your house. Some cats will even claim the entire home as their territory and become violent with any new cats. 

The fight over their territory could be a significant reason cats fight at night. If they have a favorite spot to hunt at night or lay, then you should be ready to stop the fights at all times of the day.

4. Lack of Enough Exercise

As cats get older, they become less active; as a result, at night, they may have excess energy, leading them to behaviors such as fighting one another.

Ensuring your cats have enough exercise during the daytime is integral to helping them tire enough to be less active during the night.

How Do I Stop My Cats from Fighting at Night?

You cannot allow your cats to keep fighting at night, no matter how tired you are. You can devise ways to ensure you get rest and also ensure the safety of your cats. 

Here are four ways to ensure your cats don’t fight at night:

1. Place Them in Separate Rooms Until They Are Fond of Each Other’s Presence

As a result of the conflict due to being territorial, keep your cats separately until you are sure they can live together harmoniously. 

Ensure that you know your cats’ favorite places so that you can train them early enough to respect each other’s space.

2. Provide Separate Bowls, Toys, and Sleeping Mats

Since we now know that cats are very possessive, it is best to provide each of them with their own items to use. Also, make sure you give all your cats equal attention and love. They would understand that you love them equally, and none of them would feel less valued.

3. Play With Your Cats Enough

To exercise your cat, make sure you play with them during the day. Engage them in games they enjoy, so you can help them stimulate their brains and shed exercise energy. Exercise is an integral part of an animal’s health, thus helping your cat stay calm at night.

4. Set Up a Hidden Camera That Alerts You in the Event of a Fight

Nighttime is mainly when you sleep, and no one is there to watch the cats. It is wise to have a camera that alerts you if the cats start fighting. 

Some of these fights are serious, and your cats could hurt each other. A camera will help you monitor them and stop fights in time.

Do I Let My Cats Fight It Out?

No, do not let your cats fight it out. Cats do not back down from each other. Once a fight begins, they will struggle with each other because they want to win. Therefore, it is only wise to separate them to avoid much damage.

When you see cats fighting, you should first identify whether it is just playing or a severe fight. 

Playing involves cats running around and stroking each other gently. However, when cats begin to scream, growl, and hiss, then watch out, for they now start to be aggressive.

Cat fights can be dangerous to their health, and most owners will ask whether cats fight to death. Luckily, cats rarely fight to death. The result of most cat fights is injuries and infections from biting one another. 

What Is the Best Way to Break Up a Cat Fight?

It would be best if you stopped the catfight. How you react is very important to helping your cats stop this behavior. 

Here are some tips to help your cats stop fighting completely:

1. Control Your Voice

Yelling at your fighting cats will only worsen the situation. Avoid screaming, as it may make them more aggressive toward one another. 

Instead, clap your hands or cover them with a light pillow or a towel to distract them. After distracting them, you can separate them and keep them away from each other.

Therefore, the best way to break up a catfight is to avoid panicking and feeling helpless. Be firm and devise ways to distract the cats so you can handle them with love.

2. Separate Your Cats for 24 Hours After a Severe Fight

After your cats have been involved in a bad fight, keep them apart for a long time. You can now let them run free under supervision for a few minutes or hours daily. 

Allowing them a few hours to interact will help them learn and get fond of each other. Over time, they will realize they are not enemies and will view each other as friends.

Often, you will wonder how long it takes until cats stop fighting. Following your cat’s personality and nature can take three months to one year.

3. Discipline Your Cat

How do you discipline your cat for attacking? This is a common question whose answer is to tame them. 

Taming your cat could be challenging, mainly if the fights occur at night while you sleep. However, with a camera or a sound device that alerts you when your cats begin to get aggressive.

As a cat owner, you can tell how your cats behave before they start a fight. For example, they may begin vocalizing and hissing at one another. When it happens, you can use a toy and engage them in play, thus stopping the fighting incident.

After your cats positively respond to your distraction, you can reward them with a treat. Since cats are brilliant,  the repetition of these events will be interpreted in their minds, and after some time, they will ultimately stop fighting.

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