Is this normal kitten play

Since this is my first time with kittens I am not sure if this would be considered normal kitten play or not. I know that the chasing around the room is and the wrestling is, but when the two girls wrestle there's feet flying, nipping, pouncing on each other and stuff like that. Neither of them cry or anything like that, but a couple times I broke it up think that one was going to hurt the other one. They are from the same little and sleep, eat, play and nap together and all and all love each other.

I just want to make sure that this is just kittens being kittens and that this is how they play.

I know that I am just over reacting, but please let me know if this is normal kitten play.

Jason

Jason,

Yes, that is normal kitten play. As long as there's no hissing, growling, fur flying or blood drawn, things are fine.

I freaked out myself when I first had 2 cats together and they kept pouncing on each other but after I talked with other friends who have cats, I learned to tell the difference. Don't worry about overreacting.. I think it's a very normal concern for all cat owners and it's better to ask and be safe. You know?

Have you named them yet? Grin.

They can be pretty rough when playing together, practicing their hunting skills and alternately being the "prey". I'd say it's normal.

Moving this to Behavior for you.

Thanks for the info. No blood, no fur flying, no hissing, or anything like that. Jut lots of pouncing, pawing, kicking that kind of thing. Its not like one is running away or out of the room and hiding. Once one gets her licks in then the other starts.

As far as names go, when I picked them up the volunter who had them named DMH brown and white one Hyacinth and the DSH brown tabby was named Rose. I do plan on changing there names, but I need to come up with a couple first.

It funny 5-10 minutes they are wrestling and stuff the next they are cleaning each other and napping together.

It must me nice being a kitten in a nice home.

Jason

Originally Posted by animallover4

It funny 5-10 minutes they are wrestling and stuff the next they are cleaning each other and napping together.

It must me nice being a kitten in a nice home.
Jason

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Yep! My cats do that all the time!! Actually, they'd start grooming each other and cuddling then the next minute start biting, wrestling and chasing!

Yup, I often tell my cats they are soooo LUCKY- Cats who have owners generally have an EASY life. Think about it.. They live in a nice and big home, don't have to work to pay bills, get free food and toys, get attention, sleep all they want, have slave(s) who will do anything for them and watch gbirds, squirrells and other animals out the windows!! I WISH I could do that! LOL..

Pamela,

At first it scared me half to death thinking oh my goodness they are going to rip each other apart. Since I am new to this whole kitten thing, I am just not use to it. I am normally at work during the day, but am fighting a cold and decided to stay home. It should be interesting tommorrow when I am gone 8 hours to see what I come back to.

Jason

We have a little kitten and 3 bigger cats .. although Pumpkin has seen to it that hes disapeared when kevin was gone for a few days .. i am still hoping that he will show back up or we will find him.

I see shadow playing with Luna a lot .. other then one or 2 mews from Shadow there is no harm and no foul..when Luna lets her go after licking her she will lay beside him or run away and come back later to pounce him .. i am soo glad he has pacience .. i think when she gets to rough Luna bites her hard enough to make her mew ..

Pumpkin was the first cat here to play with shadow .. but he never was rough it was a bat here and a lick there.

I can not imagine 2 kittens romping and running and playing all over the place .. i bet its a hoot to watch .. although i know how rough Shadow gets with her teddy bear so i can just imagine 2 kittens rough housing and i bet it does look scary ...

Originally Posted by animallover4

Pamela,

At first it scared me half to death thinking oh my goodness they are going to rip each other apart. Since I am new to this whole kitten thing, I am just not use to it. I am normally at work during the day, but am fighting a cold and decided to stay home. It should be interesting tommorrow when I am gone 8 hours to see what I come back to.

Jason

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Jason, Yes, I understand what u mean -it can get scary when cats start wrestling. I got really scared myself when I first adopted 2 cats-always had an "only" cat growing up so I wasn't used to seeing how cats would interact with each other.

Actually, u're lucky that the kittens bonded to each other already when u adopted them. That makes it a lot easier on u!

When I first adopted Sunniday (died a few yrs ago) and found out he lived in a multi-cat household so I got Zebra to keep her company. Well, they were NOT happy about it at all. Sunniday kept hissing and growling her head off while Zebra hid behind the couch for a week. When I left my apt, I had to keep them in separate rooms for a week or so. I kept crying because I was scared to leave them alone without me around. But after a week or so, Sunniday finally started tolerating Zebra. The first full day I was at work and the cats were together, I kept worrying about my cats - that they'd fight and get hurt but when I got home, they were doing fine. WHEW.

I know it can get really scary sometimes. As u get to know them better, u will be able to tell if they're mad or just playing. That's one thing I love about TCS- members here know how it feels and they have GREAT advice to share!!

keep us posted on how they are doing- especially when u come home from ur work the first day! Who knows- they might have a GREAT adventure to tell u when u get home from work!

Sometimes I'd come home and find that my darn cats have gotten into something. Many times, I have found towels and/or blankets dragged from the bathroom all over the apt so I'd have to go pick up each towel/blanket on the floor all over the apt and refold them all.

I am new to the forum and new to cat ownership. We adopted a pair of 6 month old cats from the local SPCA 10 days ago. One is a runt (Sunshine), very friendly and has lots of personality. Her brother (Moonbeam) is about 50% bigger and seems to be kind of a loner. They are both fixed. They also fight, sometimes after grooming. They spend most of their time together and seem to get along. But, the fights don't seem fair. He almost always initiates them and always seems to be winning. I am not sure they are serious, but I did see some fur tonight, but it could have been from some serious grooming.

The problem - she has won my heart and he has not. I am concerned that he will hurt her. Any advice is welcome. The first Vet visit is this Friday.

Originally Posted by blueridge

I am new to the forum and new to cat ownership. We adopted a pair of 6 month old cats from the local SPCA 10 days ago. One is a runt (Sunshine), very friendly and has lots of personality. Her brother (Moonbeam) is about 50% bigger and seems to be kind of a loner. They are both fixed. They also fight, sometimes after grooming. They spend most of their time together and seem to get along. But, the fights don't seem fair. He almost always initiates them and always seems to be winning. I am not sure they are serious, but I did see some fur tonight, but it could have been from some serious grooming.

The problem - she has won my heart and he has not. I am concerned that he will hurt her. Any advice is welcome. The first Vet visit is this Friday.

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Welcome to TCS!
I rather doubt that he'll hurt her. Cats living together have a certain "pecking order", and he's showing her that he has the higher rank, which is understandable if he's bigger and more aggressive. It's best if you don't interfere (unless blood is actually drawn), because this is normal feline behavior and something you'll have to get used to. Congrats on becoming a cat guardian - you'e going to love it!

Thank you for your reply. I want to believe that he knows when to stop. It doesn't appear as if he has caused any harm. In fact, I see her attacking him occasionally, but with a little less intent. I guess in the cat world, brawn rules, because she appears to be the leader in exploring and is much less shy.

blueridge..welcome...glad to see another Virginian on this board. I have a boy/girl bonded pair...and believe me....every so often my boy decides to bite and chase my girl after grooming...usually this is because he wants to sit where she was. There was a long period where I thought he was being a bully...but over time my girl has learned to stand up for herself and beat my boy at his own game.

Katie