Cats are purely playing, right?
I have two cats under a year old. 60% of the time they discount each other and the other 40% of the time they chase each other around, wrestling, stalking and pouncing. Neither hisses or growls but occasionally one will puff up their tail. I've always taken this as play conflict since they've never hurt each other and both seem to enjoy the commotion.
However, I've noticed that the little one - who is usually the instigator - has his ears spinal column during these sessions, and I know that that's supposed to indicate real aggression for cats. He's also started making these tiny mews right before attacking her.
Should I be concerned at all? This is probably a foolish question, but I've never had more than one cat a time before so I want to variety sure I'm not passively encouraging aggressive behavior.
as long as both the cats are safe, and don't hold wounds, or one doesn't become fearful of the other... i wouldnt worry about it.
Cats play hard and just like children do, they can overdo things and one might if truth be told get a little hurt. It's nothing to verbs about. They'll outgrow this, then, sometime in the adjectives this may happen again. It goes in cycles. Nothing to verbs about.
Are these littermates? It's usually unadvisable to raise littermates together because they hold already established a pecking order. They'll often end up stimulating each other to be top cat/dog and that can be more aggressive.
No worries. That's just playing. Ears back, hissing, and yowling would be a sign of a tangible fight. Eventually, they will establish a pecking order where one of them will become the dominant cat of the house. You will see some true aggression when this happen. It's best to just let them hash it out unless things get really unsightly. Interfering will only drag out the process. Make sure to have them both neuter as soon as your vet will do it.
EndlessCrimson is right. Don't worry unless the smooth of aggression greatly increases. My cats are about 5 years old, and the one who is usually the aggressor will put his ears put a bet on and growl... but only when his brother decides to stand up to him ;-).
If things really seem out of appendage, just use the ol' spray bottle (remember, just water surrounded by a previously unused bottle).
I can't agree with Vivianne about littermates - I've raised 4 pairs of siblings and hold never had any dominance problems.
Hi, don't worry my girls (2 yrs and 6 months) do alike and they're best buddies. They're just practising hunting moves. Most of the time, they love playing hide and seek around the garden - stalking, leap on and generally chasing the other around. Then they stalk and jump on me! (they get it right pay for of course. *lol* )
My older girl will make it clear whether she's had enough with a loud hiss or miaow. Sometimes i'll pick up the kitten and move her absent but I don't really need to - i'm just being a foolish owner! My husband even plays rough with the kitten, who will cheerfully pin her ears back, mewl and attack his hand (which he loves). She get very pissed off with him but it's adjectives in fun.
If my two ever get too much, I just do a loud "Uh Uh!!" and they stop. don't verbs - you just have a couple of mini-lions at home! :-)
Believe me, you WILL know it when they are really fighting, you know all those cheap little cartoons that when two cats gain into a fight all you see is allot of dust? That`s what its like, you won`t really be capable of see either of them because their both moving so fast. Your cats are just playing. Watch them while their playing though, they might attain a little rough. :)
I have two cats and they've be "play fighting". I think its just to be active and bond next to each other. However, mine don't ignore each other, normally I find them asleep somewhere. Its quite cute.
I don't think you should worry.
They sound close to they are just playing. Part of the playing involves the kittens trying to determine pecking order, or who's going to be the alpha animal and who will be the underling. Appears your little one is trying to be the boss.
You should with the sole purpose be worried if he keeps getting more and more aggressive or whether he doesn't settle down once he's a year or two.
this is the fail-safe description of my 2 year old girl and one year old boy. i take it adjectives for play. no worries. they never hurt each other and they get great exercise.
it amuses me to watch
This is what cats do. You would know instantly if they were serious. The playing is constituent tension release and part dominance behaviour. If they are totally acclimated to respectively other they will take turns being the dominant cat. If not you will occasionally see a real box.
Dogs will do this also. But with dogs it is usually best to put a stop to it.
Kittens at play! Enjoy it. They grow so quickly and change so fast. They are have fun and finding their way! If it were serious, you would know!
initially, keep the new cat locked within a bedroom with food,water, and litter box for a few weeks. afterward, this is perfectly middle-of-the-road behavior...even if you find small tufts of hair lying around. if you observe injury such as bleeding or scabs you should separate them. i also recommend cutting their nails regularly.
Is it mean warfare or play fighting? You'll be able to tell the difference. If it's tight, then it's not play and the weaker kitten will hide from the stronger one. If Sis keeps playing the hobby then her cries are just the kitty version of "Uncle!". All kittens do this. I hold a brother and sister pair, age 12 weeks. Depending on their mood, each takes turns at crying uncle, although it is the manly (the runt of the litter) who does so more frequently. Still, both return to joust on a daily basis, neither one hurts the other in any perceptive way, and neither one hides from the other except within play. That's just what kittens do.
It's "real" aggression, in the sense that it is kitten-level practice. But you needn't consider it "serious" unless the "victim" runs and hides. If it continues the hobby, then consider it just that: a game. Cats are more brutal than you and I, even when they play. The ears back on the part of the inferior attacker are just are a moment ago him being brave.
Answers: Sounds like playing to me... even with the ears put money on. Maybe it is instinct to protect the ears or something. I think actual fights involve drawing blood and really giant pitched yowling.
