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Not quite play-fighting these days...

post #1 of 7
2/4/11 at 1:04pm
Thread Starter 
The past 2 days Genever and Dorothy have gone from play chasing and fighting and face washing to what seems to be real fighting. Ears way back, the legs pushed forward like Laurie mentioned in another thread.. some hissing and some mean meowing. Last night there was a chase, and they came into the living room and it looked like Genever was almost riding Dorothy, like mounting her basically, until they ran into the pop-up cube and Dorothy flipped over and swatted at Genever. Then they stared at each other for a minute or 2 with the ears back and arms raised. This morning, I didn't see what happened, but one of them meowed the same meow as if you accidently step on a tail. (I'm sure we've all done that at one time or another..) The fights don't last long, usually less than a minute, but it's not nice!

Am I worrying about nothing? Or is Dorothy just finally comfortable enough in our home that she's now asserting dominance over Genever? I don't want them hating each other, but I guess there's not much I can do about it.
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post #2 of 7
2/4/11 at 3:19pm
Once it is decided who is the boss for the day/ week/ month (changes often) there will be peace and no, they will not hate each other.
However, like in my case, I do not like it escalating to a fight, so I interfere with a NO, hissing or clapping of hands to stop them. They listen most of the time. For the insistent aggressor he/she is immediately put on "time out".
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post #3 of 7
2/4/11 at 4:01pm
I agree...they are establishing pecking order. Blue and Rex are doing that too, but poor old Blue is too weak to fight or even play fight. I think it is totally normal. Even Blue and Sissy, as close as they were, would occasionally have a "real" fight with the ears back and the hissing. I really think cats are like people...sometimes they get mad.
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post #4 of 7
2/5/11 at 1:55am
Mine do it sometimes too. I kind of see having mutltiple cats as watching a soap opera..something's always happening in the relationships or some kind of drama. As long as it doesn't turn into a horror movie, you're fine
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post #5 of 7
2/5/11 at 7:48am
We're like yayi and don't like it escalating to a fight. It really depends upon how "bad" it is, and how much it stresses you out. If it's not bad and over quickly, probably best to let them work it out. It does NOT mean they hate each other - it does mean Dorothy is comfortable enough.

We make a loud noise to distract them (not yelling) - and then "break it up" with a wand toy or treats. We tend to go for grabbing a wand toy, as it helps just redirect the aggression & energy.

Depending upon the situation, we also do a five-minute time-out in the bathroom for the aggressor.

Edited to add: I agree with Rebecca that cats are like people - I'd just change it to be that cats are like kids, and some are just better about sharing their toys than others.
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post #6 of 7
2/5/11 at 11:14am
It has only been a few weeks since Dot. It will take awhile for the two girls to totally feel comfortable with eachother. The fact that they are washing eachother's face, and playing (which sometimes turns into a tiff) is a really good sign. These two girls will be BF very soon, it is still in the beginning stages of their friendship and they will work things out. It sounds like a great match though.

Pipsqueak also got on top of the kittens during play. I was concerned about that but he never did much other than that, and then they would roll around and take off in a chase. I think it is a way to be dominant in that moment of play.
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post #7 of 7
2/5/11 at 11:37am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the replies. I know I worry too much, but that's just how I am. The fights never last longer than a minute. Even chasing doesn't last long, whether it seems to be play or mean. It's kind of funny, after a confrontation, then they will break apart and lie down, sometimes just a few feet from each other, and get that sleepy-eyed look on their faces. Like "Man, this just isn't worth the energy."

I will say though, since the 'mean fights' began a few days ago, there hasn't been any grooming or sleeping right next to each other. They'll sleep on the ends of the sofa, or one on the cusion and one right above on the arm or back, but not like the photos I posted last week. Sigh. I guess it will work out though, it's only been 2 weeks today that Dot's been here!

Edit- BF just showed me some pics he took of the cats this morning before I got up. I'll post them in the Pics forum... I'd call it almost snuggling...
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