and I saw a lot of hissing, growling, posturing, and swipes that didn't connect. I also saw them chase each other around and huddle together when there was a perceived threat like thunder or some idiot shooting off firecrackers, the little fakers.
I only saw one serious fight and it was a silent one, two cats arguing over prime couch space, narrowed eyes, flat ears, and a steady "whap whap whap" as bits of floof flew around and they landed punches, beating the crap out of each other. Then they just took off in different directions and had nothing to do with each other for a couple of hours. Both cats had been upright all the time with only their forepaws engaged, like a couple of hairy boxers. Nobody got injured so year, it was pretty funny.
Even among feral cats, I've noticed it's all show most of the time. When it's tomcats fighting over a female, the aggressor cat is the one on the ground, that's not a submissive posture, it means bunny kicks are coming and the other cat risks having his guts ripped out if he gets too close, which is why the swipes from the other cat are carefully delivered.
Cats, even if they're strangers or domestic cats who don't like each other, are 95% drama queen when it comes to fights. I'd say that if there's a lot of growling, hissing, and yowling, it's all show. When they get quiet and one cat hits the ground, it's serious, get the broom and use it to separate them.
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