Recognition, prevention, and management: What to know about the 2024 AAFP Intercat Tension Guidelines

If you work in clinical practice, you’re familiar with the issues that can arise when there’s tension between cats in a household. From subtle behaviors like one cat blocking another from their food or litter box to more aggressive behaviors, like hissing and striking, it’s a common concern among pet parents with multiple cats. Still, identifying, resolving, or possibly even preventing these issues is not always something general practitioners and their teams are prepared to do.

But that’s about to change, thanks to the 2024 American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) Intercat Tension Guidelines. These guidelines bust 10 popular myths about cat behavior, share five pillars of a healthy multi-cat environment, provide helpful graphics such as social maps and diagrams. The guidelines also offer lots of helpful advice and supplemental materials like videos, handouts, a behavior questionnaire, and a client brochure.

To learn more about these guidelines, we spoke to two members of the Intercat Tension Guidelines taskforce:

• Ilona Rodan, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Feline), Advanced Certificate in Feline Behaviour, with Distinction, AAFP Past President, Cat Care Clinic, Madison, Wisconsin
• Daniela Ramos, DVM, MSc, PhD, Diplomate (Cleve-CVLBAMC), PSICOVET Veterinary Behavior Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil

“The Task Force worked hard for a year, considering and discussing all available scientific literature on the topic, as well as common protocols, techniques, and products,” said Ramos. “The resulting Guidelines are complete, up-to-date, and science-based. Furthermore, they consider experiences and perspectives from a team of specialists very familiar with the topic.”

Why was it important to you to be involved in the creation of these guidelines?

IR: As a feline specialist with advanced training in feline behavior, I know that intercat tension is common and impairs feline welfare. However, many cases can be prevented and even managed by veterinary professionals in primary practice. I, as well as the other Task Force members, wanted to ensure all veterinary professionals have the tools to be able to accomplish this important goal.

DR: I have been working as a researcher on intercat tension and stress in multi-cat households for several years; working on the Guidelines was a great opportunity to bring the science we have produced, as well as all available scientific findings, into the discussion and to the attention of veterinarians and veterinary professionals.

In Brazil, multi-cat households are very popular and commonly include a high number of cats per house, which frequently results in intercat tension and conflicts. As a veterinary behaviorist, this is the most common problem I manage with caregivers. Writing the Guidelines gave me the chance to share our experiences, challenges, and perspectives on intercat tension and conflicts in large multi-cat households.

Why do you believe now is the right time for these guidelines to be published?

IR: Since 2020, several articles have been published highlighting the high incidence of intercat tension—62-88%—even when there are only two cats in the home.

DR: Fortunately, cat friendly programs such as the AAFP Cat Friendly Certificate Program and Cat Friendly Practice® Program are increasing in popularity worldwide. As a result, caregivers are increasingly seeking out veterinarians to help them also with feline behavioral concerns. Since cat-cat tension is one of the most reported behavioral problems, veterinarians need to be prepared, and the Guidelines will help them meet this growing demand.

Are there any sections of these guidelines that you think will surprise veterinary professionals?

IR: First, the use of the word “tension” versus “conflict” or “aggression” may be surprising. The decision to use this term was made because most signs are subtle, such as staring and blocking another cat’s access within the home. Feline welfare is impaired, even with these subtle signs, and blocking access to litter boxes and other essential feline resources, as well as the distress surrounding intercat tension, often leads to other behavior problems, surrender, and even euthanasia.

Also, at least some of the 10 myths dispelled in the Guidelines will be a surprise to many veterinary professionals. Disciplining cats does not work, causes feline fear/anxiety, and can impair the human-animal bond. Another myth is the idea that our companion cats have a hierarchy or are being dominant or submissive. Rather, cats are territorial and need to meet their own needs, and increased competition over food and other essential needs can lead to tension.

Finally, most veterinary professionals in primary practice don’t recognize that they can prevent and even manage cases of intercat tension. That is why this Task Force wanted to provide the tools in these Guidelines.

DR: Several tables, boxes, and a detailed algorithm will guide the veterinary professional on important decisions to be made and actions to be taken when managing such cases. Veterinary professionals will be surprised by the detailed step-by-step guidance the Guidelines present.

Are you especially excited about any particular parts of these guidelines?

IR: Yes! I’m excited that these Guidelines are designed for all veterinary professionals to help minimize their frustration in dealing with behavior cases, specifically intercat tension and the secondary behavior problems and stress-associated diseases that often result. These Guidelines, along with the supplementary materials and client brochure, provide veterinary professionals the necessary tools to support their professional commitment to promoting animal health and welfare, as well as having loyal caregivers return to their practices for continued feline healthcare.

DR: All parts are great, but the management section, including several tables and boxes, plus the algorithm and the case series, will give readers a complete idea on how these cases are presented and [how they] should be managed.

If someone were to take one thing away from the guidelines, what would you hope it would be?

IR: Prevention. As a practice owner, I know change is hard for many within the practice; starting with one change at a time that impacts the most cats, provides quicker rewards, and is the least difficult is a good start. With 73% of caregivers in a survey of over 2,000 cats noting that intercat tension started with introduction of a new cat, the most important approach is prevention. It’s better for cats, caregivers, and veterinary professionals to enhance the veterinary-client-patient relationship. Ask clients during appointment if they are considering adopting another cat; if so, share information about the best choices and provide them with the Step-by-Step Guide: How to Introduce a New Cat to Other Cats in Your Home, available in the supplementary material of the Guidelines. Add this resource to practice websites and social media.

DR: The importance of addressing cat-cat social behavior (including tension and conflict) conversations with caregivers of multi-cat homes in the clinic. If the veterinarian does not feel completely prepared to work with these cases, they can listen to the caregivers’ reports and apply the behavior questionnaire provided in the Guidelines. With the information gathered, veterinarians can give initial recommendations from the “behavior first aid kit” in the Guidelines and, if necessary, refer the case to a specialist.

Photo credit: AspenPhoto/iStock via Getty Images 

Disclaimer: The views expressed, and topics discussed, in any NEWStat column or article are intended to inform, educate, or entertain, and do not represent an official position by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) or its Board of Directors.