[ELI5] What are cats trying to physically achieve in a fight?

Question

I understand that cats, like many animals, may fight if they feel threatened, over territory, male aggression, etc.

But once they throw down, what does instinct tell them to do? They happen so quickly and frantically, seemingly without strategy, it’s hard to make sense of what’s going on.

Try to scratch the other’s eyes out, maim or kill, or just keep swinging until the other backs down?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Cats usually kill by ambush. Biting the back of the neck and puncturing something vital. That thing where they flop over and scratch with their hind legs? Disembowelment. The yowling hissing scratch fights? That’s panic and trying to scare the other cat away. Not really a strategy to it. Just hurt the other cat with the only weapons they have.