[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

Slap fights are about asserting dominance. For more serious fights or hunting, the two main strategies are: 1. Grab the opponent in such a way that their bellies are exposed and then bunny kicking them in the hopes of causing a disembowelment. 2. Biting the opponent’s neck and then jerking it sharply to break it.