Should I be worried about larger cat hurting smaller one?

scotty parno

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Since I got my new kitty 12 wks old my older kitty 16wks old is laying in his litter box and the other kitty's litter box he seems very frustrated they are not together for long because the older kitty grabs his neck.The older kitty is 16wks weighs10lbs the new one 2lb 09 oz Any idea how to get my older kitty to like the Lil guy???PLEASE!

I need to know if my kitty 16wks. 10lb Rag doll can hurt my new kitty 12 wks 2.09lbs my older kitty chases him continually ,but the kitty comes back for more it seems like a war who's going to be Alpha .DON"T want my Lil guy to get hurt
 

p3 and the king

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I answered this in your previous thread... It is rare that they would hurt each other.  I say that as long as your little guy keeps going back for more, it really is just play.  Cats play rough.  It is normal.  If he does get too rough, often you will know it with screams and fur flying.  But it sounds and looks a lot different from play.  Cats do play rough and they are young so I doubt it really is about top cat right now.  Not seriously anyway.  Your older and bigger guy just may not his own strength and as your little one gets older, it may shift.  But, males are usually more laid back and not into being "alpha" as much, IF  they are neutered. 
 

Norachan

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16 weeks old is about the right time to get the bigger cat neutered if you haven't done so already. Scruffing is a sign of dominance, male cats do it to female when they are ready to mate but un-neutered males will do it to other males too.

It does sound like they are just playing, but if you get them both fixed before they get much older they'll keep their kittenish playfulness rather than start having real dominance issues with each other.
 

cassthecatlover

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Ummmmm, I'm pretty sure it's play. It may look like attacking, but if your little kitty (the one who's 12wks.) acts normal and doesn't seem hurt, I'm sure everything's fine. But do watch out, just in case!
 

zoneout

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It's likely play this is what cats do. If you want to help avoid an accident you should get their nails properly clipped. The vet can show you how it's done or search for instructions online.
 
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matts mom

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Play can look pretty rough, but a sure way to know is if the little one goes in for another round, or runs off and hides. Does he ever lay there and bat the other cat, or nip his heels?  they night chase each other across the house before a full out pin-and-chew as well. as long as they both go back for more, and no one is injured, play is good fore them. They need to establish their places within the family, and the older cat might be only 'teaching' the kitten how to fight, or disciplining him for misbehaving.

 Matt is 16lb, and when Midnight was about 2lbs, he used to nip Matt's heels. Matt would pin him on his back and chew his neck and  belly until he yelped. I was worried, until I realized that Midnight would get right back up and bug him again. Even now, Matt will pin Midnight and chew on him, but he's bigger now and faster. Sometimes Matt loses the play fight and I'l see him laying on his back in the same defensive pose that Midnight used to use. to this day, I see Matt "thump" Midnight if he gets too pushy, or breaks the rules.
 
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