between play flighting and the real deal? I am finding it hard to distinguish one from the other.
-
Too many ads? Join our community of cat lovers now to reduce ads by 90%! Click here to join for free!
What is the difference...
- Thread starter sphynx
- Start Date
Hi,
When my cats play fight they stand on their front legs and it's paw punch up time. After a few minuted itsy will throw herself down on the floor, roll onto her back n act stupid.
At the moment,they are real fighting and they are hissing and growling at each other and I am finding handfuls of fur where theylast were. Also, one of tatty is runnung away as soon as she see's mischief or itsy and will spend most of her time high up looking down on them. They are getting better, but it may be a long process
When my cats play fight they stand on their front legs and it's paw punch up time. After a few minuted itsy will throw herself down on the floor, roll onto her back n act stupid.
At the moment,they are real fighting and they are hissing and growling at each other and I am finding handfuls of fur where theylast were. Also, one of tatty is runnung away as soon as she see's mischief or itsy and will spend most of her time high up looking down on them. They are getting better, but it may be a long process
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #3
You have also recently introduced two cats... am I right? I know it is early days for us... they only met yesterday, but I would love them to love each other
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2006
- Messages
- 13,498
- Purraise
- 39
Body posture -stiffer then in play, eye contact - more staring in fighting, tail and ear posture - depending on the cats ears may stay back and tail may swish a lot in play.
In my two I find that a lot of the actions are exaggerated, as Miss_Chiffles mentioned, rolling and acting stupid.
Also, if you can go "kitty kitty kitty" and both cats stop and look at you with a normal expression - ears up and bodies relaxed, then it's not serious. Angry or scared cats don't drop their guards like that.
Good luck with your introductions. With luck they'll be buddies.
In my two I find that a lot of the actions are exaggerated, as Miss_Chiffles mentioned, rolling and acting stupid.
Also, if you can go "kitty kitty kitty" and both cats stop and look at you with a normal expression - ears up and bodies relaxed, then it's not serious. Angry or scared cats don't drop their guards like that.
Good luck with your introductions. With luck they'll be buddies.
A rule of thumb really is that if you have any doubt about wether it's play or fighting, it's play. Of course some play is more intensive than others and might have an edge of real fighting in it but..
Cats fighting for real is unmistakable, fur flying everywhere, screaming and real aggression in their body postures and eyes. Also true with what strange_wings said. Cats fighting for real will not pay you any attention since they're so focused on the fight.
Cats fighting for real is unmistakable, fur flying everywhere, screaming and real aggression in their body postures and eyes. Also true with what strange_wings said. Cats fighting for real will not pay you any attention since they're so focused on the fight.
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2006
- Messages
- 13,498
- Purraise
- 39
With the exception of yelling at them or drenching them with water. I've had to break up a lot of stray cat fights over the years.
Cats fighting for proper will usually have ears flattened back, mouths open and hissing, fur on the back standing up (ok that last one is not going to be relevant in your case, but I have to ask do sphynx get goosebumps instead?
) and will be very intense, loud, and violent if it comes to blows.
Playing can look similar but the ears are not usually flattened right back, easy to distract them, and no damage is done - cats are well armed and could very easily rip the you know what out of each other, but rough play rarely results in physical damage - as your cats don't have a thick protective fur layer I would be sure to keep their claws well trimmed, as they are going to be more susceptible to accidental nicks and scratches.
Playing can look similar but the ears are not usually flattened right back, easy to distract them, and no damage is done - cats are well armed and could very easily rip the you know what out of each other, but rough play rarely results in physical damage - as your cats don't have a thick protective fur layer I would be sure to keep their claws well trimmed, as they are going to be more susceptible to accidental nicks and scratches.
Hi Sphynx,Originally Posted by sphynx
You have also recently introduced two cats... am I right? I know it is early days for us... they only met yesterday, but I would love them to love each other
Not clear if you were asking me if I have just recently introduced two cats but the answer is no. I have had tatty nearly 9 years, itsy just over 8 years and mischief jus over 7 years. The problems I am experiencing at the moment I suspect is due to the fact that itsy and mischief were spayed a fortnight ago and are now feeling rather unsettled and insecure or jealous that tatty hasn't gone through what they have.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #9
Sorry about that
i'm in the process of introducing two new girls, to a recent boy and an old boy. after only three days, the girls are the best of friends and sleep together and groom each other and play all the time. the are 3 and 4 months old. the six month old boy who we got two months ago is now really interested in the girls, we have had them a week. he is drawn to the younger one more. some times it is still territorial, but now it is mainly interest in them as being friends. i only just started letting them be around each other. the girls have been seperated in my room for a week. as for the old man damian, he's 8. well, he not happy with all these new ones, he really hated max, the 6 month old when we first got him. after two months he tolerates him more. damian really could care less about the girls and has not hissed once at them. as i stated earlier, the girls only took a few days, but they are both really young and came home the same day so there was no territory issues. the boys never play fight, max wants to, but damian doesn't so it becomes a real fight. it is very loud, lots of hissing and spitting. the girls only play fight. it is basically soundless unless one gets a bit too rough. they are easy to break up, i just pick one up and set them apart, of course they normally leap back at each other, lol. i wouldn't dare put my hand near a real fight, i just make loud noises and stomp my feet near them to startle them and break them up. since we brought the girls home, max leaves damain alone more, because he has new interests. the whole point of the girls was the get max to leave damian alone and have some new friends.
