In a multi-cat household, it's often inevitable for skirmishes to erupt between your cats. Often, these are playful battles, not to be concerned over. However, even friendly challenges sometimes become aggressive - it's important to know how to handle these fights if they do arise.

Never step in between two cats that are engaged in a fight. During a fight, stress is at a high level, you are placing yourself in danger of being scratched or bitten. Even after they have separated, it's best to give them their distance - never pick up a cat that has just been fighting.

To separate the cats, use a broom to guide one cat into another room, shutting the door behind her. Enter later, leaving the cat food, water, and a litter pan, but ignoring the cat. After the fight and while the cats are still stressed, do not initiate the interaction with them. Let them come to you. Use this opportunity to check both cats for injuries.

Here are some additional tips to help stop fighting cats:

• A short, loud shout and clapping your hands may stop the fight.
• Place a kitchen chair gently between the two cats. This may startle the cats and they will back away.
• Turn on the vacuum cleaner - this will often distract the cats and redirect their attention.
• Spray water on them.
• Remain calm - although it may be hard to resist yelling at your cats engaged in a fight, yelling only increases their stress levels and aggressive behavior.

It's important to realize that while your cats may seem fully engaged, most battles between cats are friendly. You can tell the difference between playful and real conflicts by examining the body language of the cats. Watch for the tail, ears, eyes, and where the body is in relation to the ground. Understanding your cat's body language can be helpful when determining the seriousness of a fight.