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Play nice at play fight

post #1 of 6
Thread Starter 
Hi everyone, I have a kitten that is 5 month old. He's a ginger male, former stray, named Kiddy. He is very energetic, active and love to play with toys and never seem to get tired. Just recently a friend of mine ask me a favor to foster this skinny, tiny black female kitten he found in his yard. I took her in and planned to find her a new home. But I grew attached to this kitten. I have no problem on introducing her with Kiddy, there is no hissing or growling even from day one. But the problem is that he seems to don't know how to play nice. He stalks, chase, pinned down and wrestle the poor tiny kitten until she growls and hisses. The kitten actually don't mind playing with him, but she just hates it when Kiddy bites her and wrestle with her and won't let her go. I tried squirting water, tossing a toy near them, shaking can of coins, he got startled, but not even a minute later he starts to stalk her again. He could do it forever. So please everyone, give some advice how to make him treat this new kitten (doesn't even have a name yet), more like his playmate rather than a toy. I tried searching for other threads but most of the cases are about cats who are fighting or can't tolerate each other. These guys are fine until Kiddy starts to get too playful. I really want to take care of both of them.
post #2 of 6
Hello and welcome! Hurray for you for rescuing both these kittens!

This is perfectly normal play behavior for cats. Many cats hiss and swear during play.

If the kitten has not been to the vet yet, they should not be playing together at all, until she has a check up and is tested.

Once she has a clean bill of health and starts to get stronger, she will learn how to hold her own with Kiddy.

Keep his nails trimmed and pick him up and separate them if you think she is getting hurt. Don't try to "punish" him, he is just being a kitten. Distract him with another toy or Game.
post #3 of 6
I agree! It is normal. Trying to insert yourself between them while they are play fighting ike this could start to cause probelms. If there is no bloodshed and the new cat isn't exhibiting behavoir of anxiety, like hiding, improper urination, not eating etc. than you must let them be.

It can be strange to see and hear what they do. But it is their way of communicating to each other. So let them enjoy each other. Sounds like they are getting along really well.

I also agree that until she gets a clean bill of health to keep them seperated. She could have FIV or other issues that can pass to your resident kitty.
post #4 of 6
Thread Starter 
hi all. thanks for the reply. Don't worry guys, the new kitten was already brought to the vet by my friend before I brought her in. She's free of fleas, worm, and not a carrier for contagious disease.
Although I know I should just let kittens be kittens, I did see sign of ear folded backwards and tail thrashing from Kiddy, only when the kitten starts growling and hissing. Kiddy was left by his mother and a a temporary fosterer had bottle fed him for sometime. From what I learn from other forumers, is that he doesn't have a mother who teach him not to be aggressive when playing. He used to stalk on feet and bite every toes that walks pass him, but he stopped that habit after I give him 15 minute time outs. So that's why I'm concerned about him playing too rough with the kitten, who I decided to name Spook.
Hopefully things will work out fine. Keep the advice coming please
post #5 of 6
Thread Starter 
Update: Spook is rehomed to a trusted friend.
post #6 of 6
Thank you for the update. I hope Spook is very happy in her new home.

From my experience, male kittens always tend to play rather rough. This isn't to say that there aren't male kittens who don't and that there aren't female kittens that get rough - but that there's always a male in a litter that seems to really dominate the others.
I have three semi ferals right now that, again, fit this pattern. The male out weighs the girls by half a pound! He's definitely the dominate kitten in play and can get too rough for his smaller sisters. Luckily for them it's two against one.

If you choose to get another cat to keep Kiddy company in the future you'd do best to match activity level and make sure any new cat/kitten is at least as big as him, if not a larger. Another year old to 1.5 year old male could be a big benefit to teaching Kiddy some manners. But that's your call.
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