So we got a kitten...

There will be serious noise if it's serious fighting. It sounds like what our cats do.

Now, Ella makes a lot of noise. She'll sound like she's being killed, but she often starts it and even enjoys it.

Yeah hun, I wouldn't worry at all. It sounds to me like they are just playing as there would be some serious vocalization going on. Thank you for adopting your new little man!

I'm with them - if you're not hearing screaming, major hissing, no one looks like a Halloween cat, no clumps of fur on the floor - they're playing. But I know what you mean - when I got my second cat, at first I didn't know when they were playing, and it always looked horrible when my big second cat chased the resident cat - who is half the size. Til i realized little cat was pouncing on big cat half the time!

Sounds to me like they are plying chase... That's GREAT! I love watch mine doing this! Now that Bugsy is getting better from his stomatitis, it is a great thing to see, him starting to play again!

When I was a kid, we called that "tag." We played it quite often. No one lost an ear from it.

First off, congrats on the new kitten! What's the little guy's name?

And, secondly, this sounds like what my kitten and older cats do when they're playing with one another. I've been witness to many a cat fight in the past and there's rarely any mistaking it. Cat's fighting is very loud -- there is screeching, hissing, and growling. It is not pretty and the kitties' hair stands on end, their fur is ripped out, and it is visually apparent that they are not getting on. From what you've shared, I would venture a guess that your two cats are just being cats. And, playful ones at that!

My kitten regularly zooms about the house and, when he gets bored, he'll jump on to one of my adult kitties and they'll wrestle a bit before getting fed up with his antics. And, in just minutes, he's found his next victim. They'll writhe around on the floor, swat at one another, pin each other to the ground, and just generally cause a ruckus. Sometimes it looks like one is taking a beating, but by the simple fact the kitten keeps coming back, I have come to realize that they're just lunatics and like to play rough. And, in time, it's become their regular routine.

If you're concerned about one getting the raw end of the deal, and if you see them playing too roughly, you can always redirect their attention to a toy or treat. But, I'm guessing they're just having a good time. I'm pretty certain you'll know if they weren't .

Good luck with the new little one. And, please, we need pics!

Even if there was some vocalization, it is still probably play. Congratulations on our new family member! Mazy is very quiet during Games, Jennie swears like a sailor, and Tolly squeaks, peeps and grunts.

Cats can actually grow for up to 3 years. You're the best judge of when it will be okay to leave them both free rein of the house when alone. Probably won't take much longer, really sounds as if it's going fine. Quattro will learn to hold his own

When Mazy cat came she was 6 months old, and Tolly was six years old. Tolly was used to playing with old lady cats, and he was very gentle with them.

Mazy played with him right away, but was so rough. When she thumped him to the floor, the whole apartment would shake. He had to toughen up in a hurry!

One of the ways to tell play from fighting is that play is reciprical - they take turns who is "on top". You mentioned that the kitten is "almost always" on the bottom - which I take to mean sometimes on top.

I am glad you are paying attention to them though because play can turn into a dispute, especially when they are learning each others play styles and limits.

Speaking of this game, I saw Ginger and Dora play a few rounds of it this evening. *chase chase chase pounce switch chase chase pounce chase switch*

In my house that Game is called Chase Me Chase You.
I never get tired of watching it.