Understanding Play. Is that a sign of playing or her hating me? They may even nap or lay down near one another. If one cat is frequently biting another cat who is trying to get away, it is unlikely that they are playing. A kitten who isn't raised with littermates or playmates doesn't always develop this tit-for-tat retaliation sensitivity. While some play fighting can get a bit too rough, there is still a stark difference between the two types of behavior. Cats enjoy playing. to this article I found out they were just playing. Make a fuss over the older cat, particularly if the kitten is around, to try and prevent jealousy in the older cat. If the situation is getting too intense, then it is best to remove the dog for a time-out session. Creatures of Habitat: Where Do Cats Live? Play aggression or mock fighting is a normal part of cat behavior. You can tell a lot by a cat's tail, and when it's moving in a wag, that generally means something or someone is being annoying. If your cats are fighting, break up the fight by making a loud noise or by placing a barrier between the cats. Recently a friend asked me for some kitten advice. In such cases, it is best to separate your cats if you can do so safely. With Mom there to act as coach and maintain order, the kittens feel comfortable and secure enough to express themselves through play. The Cat Behaviour Channel 6,611,039 views. Consistent bullying of other cats. For more tips from our Veterinary reviewer, like how to break up a fight between 2 cats, read on! They may meow here and there or even purr a little, especially during the rest periods they take in between rounds, but for the most part they’re surprisingly silent except for the thuds of their bodies and paws on the floor. She adopted a new kitten, and was having real problems with her biting behavior. Cats will often use their paws to bat each other when playing, but if their claws are out it’s likely a fight. What do I do if my 3 month old kitten tries to play with my adult cat? If one cat seems to be taking a bigger beating than the other, it’s likely a real fight. Roughhousing or Roughed Up: How to Tell If Cats Are Playing or Fighting? If you have questions about your pet’s health, you can submit them to Dr. Lauren at drlauren@petside.com. Stopping to groom is a diversionary tactic. Without this knowledge, discerning play from fight may not be possible. Now I could identify with the help of this article that most of time they were playing. If they’re not actively wrestling, they’ll at least be close enough to swat at each other (claws sheathed, of course) or pounce on top of one another. Even when it’s playful in nature, roughhousing can get a bit violent, so if there’s not enough trust built up yet, it’s better to be safe than sorry. There are days I can’t tell if they’re fighting or playing, but it’s always this confusing “is Avery playing too rough” than before where I felt like it was just Avery picking on Bjorn. As a cat owner you might be wondering why does my cat bite me, which usually happens when you play or pet your cat. which a fighting cat would not do. Yes, just be careful when doing this that you don't get hurt, and if this happens regularly, you might have to think of a more suitable long term solution. Adult cats may have their ears slightly back and will continue to wrestle each other. If they weren't sleeping, they were fighting. That said, if it seems like something is bothering your cat, you should take her to the vet. Thus things that they consider as playing can be considered as rough behavior in human world such as biting. It may seem mean to refuse a request for play, but to the recipient it’s a matter of safety. For more tips from our Veterinary reviewer, like how to break up a fight between 2 cats, read on! “It’s redirecting the energy and giving them something appropriate to play with.” Breaking Up The Fight. Unlike a dog, a wagging cat tail does not mean they are happy to see you. My adult cat tries to play with my older cat all the time. Sometimes, though, the roughhousing can get a little too aggressive, causing someone to get hurt. However, it can be hard to tell at times if your cats are playing or fighting. Although it is possible, two cats that have it in for each other will rarely engage in social grooming. Competition for resources (water, food, or litter boxes) or attention are common causes. When this happens, the other cat will usually respond with a hiss as a warning to tone it down a bit. A fight may also be balanced in this way if the cats are equally skilled, but if they appear to willingly switch off roles, it’s just playtime. A cat needs to find its place in the group and build trust with the other members before it has a shot at getting some playtime in. Rough play: Sometimes cats can be playing and it can get rough. If you think the play fight might be getting too rough then look for the following signs: Claws are no longer retracted. So we got a 1.5 years old rescue cat, A, month or two ago. ", How to Know if Cats Are Playing or Fighting, http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/how-can-i-tell-if-my-cats-are-just-playing-or-actually-fighting, http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/are-my-cats-playing-or-fighting/, https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/aggression-between-cats-your-household, https://www.petcha.com/are-your-cats-playing-or-fighting/, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/wounds-cat-bite-injuries-to-humans. Is there any real danger or should you just let them have their fun? Cats that are unfamiliar with each other, or who have had a hostile interaction with each other previously, are more likely to fight. Kitten aggressive play To decrease the chance that your kitten will seek out human hands and feet as play toys, don’t ever play with your kitten with your hands and feet. This can mean the cat wants to be alone, but it may also mean they're still playing. Even though I don't have 2 cats, I just love reading about cats. Cats also use the elevator-butt pose prior to launching a play … And just as human relationships have their ups and downs, so too do cat relationships – things can be peachy one day and dire the next. This allows you to reintroduce them and let them interact in ways where they can't harm each other. Whisper and Willow (2 kittens around 8 weeks old), playing and fighting. You may hear a hiss or two during play, and if you do it’s probably a good idea to keep an eye on the cats for a bit, but it’s not necessarily an indicator of a fight. This is part of why cat playing often seems like fighting: the same skills and techniques are used for both. She received her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology from Purdue University in 2010. Once kittens grow up and head off into the world, they still like to play even if they don’t need to. Insufficient Socialization Even if kitten play sometimes can get a little "too rough" in the eyes of spectators, the interaction still is very crucial for nurturing the growth of well-rounded and socially adjusted cats. Intervening from a distance is the safest way to break up a cat fight. My cat lays on her back while she bites/swats at my hand. She is likely just playing. Big cats and feral domestic cats can meet these needs at least partially through hunting and simply existing within a social hierarchy, but for the average housecat, play is the only outlet. I'd like to invite you to check out our. She received her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology from Purdue University in 2010. - Duration: 2:48. Thank you. % of people told us that this article helped them. The fight may not be evenly matched, and one cat may take on the role of aggressor, chasing and cornering its opponent. Though they may push their ears back slightly here and there they won’t hold them in that position for extended periods of time. Pictures, videos, articles and questions featuring and about cats. You should know that your cat has different behavior as human. This article was co-authored by Ryan Corrigan, LVT, VTS-EVN. If they are flat, they could be fighting, but if their ears point up, it's probably just playing. References Dogs use exaggerated postures like the play bow to tell other dogs everything after this is a game, and not a serious threat. This is part of why cat playing often seems like fighting: the same skills and techniques are used for both. They may still begin the session with a brief staredown and take turns stalking each other, but they’ll tend to remain close together much of the time. She's playing. On the other hand, rough play can be dangerous for you and your dog because it can lead to bites or other injuries to yourself or another pet. Cats that have been playing will act friendly toward each other and resume their normal behavior afterwards. Typically cats will hiss when they are either afraid or warning you to back off. But if you want to discourage this behavior (and you should), tell her no, and pull your hand away slowly. Oftentimes, cats will engage in rough play with one another, but sometimes, it can be hard to tell whether those tumbles and tackles are truly friendly. It’s very common for kittens and young cats to engage in rough, active play because feline play can consist of mock aggression. This is helpful knowledge to have when determining whether an encounter is playful or aggressive. Sizing Up: How Big Do Cats Get? Have lots of toys for your cat to play with, their very own scratch pole, or their own climbing tree to play in. 10:55. Playtime is a vital part of every cat’s day. If the cats don’t know each other, or if they don’t share a reciprocal bond, then it’s almost certainly not play. Is this the old cat letting the other one know to leave it alone? Play is a very important and fun part of a kitten’s life. Kissin’ Kittens: Do Cats Like to Be Kissed? It also teaches them how to communicate with other cats and, when their mother intervenes, how to tell where their boundaries should lie. Cats stalk, chase, pounce, swat, kick, scratch and bite each other—all in good fun. To determine if they are playing or fighting, observe their body language closely. If your cat bites you, you should go to the hospital or urgent care as soon as possible. Teaching your kitten proper play skills and playing with him every day will give him appropriate outlets for his energy. He started showing signs that he was getting bored when we didn't have energy to play with him. In this case, take advantage of their sensitive hearing by clapping or making another loud noise. Sometimes after playing a while, the older cat will hiss and bite. This may alarm them enough that they instinctively run away, ending the fight. Animals play rough because they’re taught to. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Never play tug-of-war or wrestling games with your puppy if you’re having a nipping problem. ", point. Turns out it's most likely playing. The longer you own your cats, the easier it will be to stop a fight. Thank you, keep making more. Sometimes the cats are so focused on their battle that no visual or tactile interventions will work. As a result, their behavior toward you may change even after the fight has ended. Usually the other cat will take the hint and back off a bit, perhaps letting its partner be the dominant one instead or switching from wrestling to chasing or stalking. Early treatment is the best means or prevention. Thank you for the, "Just confirming my feeling that my 2 cats were playing, not fighting, with the helpful tips. Your email address will not be published. An adult cat play fighting is generally different from kittens play fighting. If they engage in a chase, they’ll take turns pursuing one another, rather than one cat continually running for its life from the other. If the playing turns too rough then use distractions to break any chance of a fight developing. If cats that normally play fight have a more ‘aggressive episode’, owners should never directly intervene – this may escalate the cat’s anxiety and lead to increased aggression between the two cats or even towards the owner. — so helping you better understand them is my aim. Cats who are playing typically have their ears forward and their nails are not out. We may not be able to know exactly what’s going on in a cat’s mind, but with a little understanding of behavior and social structures we can tell the difference between a dash of fun and a display of aggression. Ryan Corrigan is a Licensed Veterinary Technician in California. Cats love to bop each other on the head and tumble across the room, but scratching is not part of the deal. Play is practice for fighting, like a self-defense class for cats. Yes, many cats love to play and will play on their own when toys are offered. I imagine that since you’re here, you likely own a cat — or two! Just be sure that your pets do not play too rough and also be careful not to let yourself get injured trying to break up a fight! Fulfilling the Stereotype: Why Do Cats Loaf? PLAY/PREDATORY AGGRESSION. Giving your older cat a chance to play with some of the new kitten toys, as well, will build a bond between the two, if the activity of play is fun and enjoyable. If a kitten bites a sibling too hard, that kitten will yowl and swat or bite back, then refuse to play with the other kitten for a period of time. It also teaches them how to communicate with other cats and, when their mother intervenes, how to … Cats can not get along for a variety of reasons. 2.3m members in the cats community. “You need to redirect the younger cat with a toy to play with you,” Adelman says. It's really good to know. Cat play and a cat fight can look similar some of the time, but an understanding of cat body language will help you to tell the difference. When you see cats fighting, you’ll probably feel compelled to intervene, but getting physically involved in a cat fight is a bad idea for many reasons. I'm a publisher and editor at Cat Checkup. What if their tail is swinging rapidly all around? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 207,280 times. My cats were fighting and screaming. One may have the upper hand for a round or two, but will then let the other cat take charge. A wagging tail can be bad. Finally, if you do have two cats who play too roughly, there are several things you can do to break it up. Thanks, "I have two cats. This tends to backfire, especially with older cats who are more versed in the ways of the world. Cats can be notoriously difficult to read, especially when so much of their communication between each other goes unnoticed by us. Pets will generally learn the basic rules of engagement from each other all the time placing a between., look to see you: what to do when cats play, they still like to quieter. Article helped them s very young, and was having real problems with her biting behavior as adults these. ’ re here, you take it at all hospital or urgent care as soon as possible,,. 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