New Cat playing or fighting?

We got a male kitten about 4 weeks ago. he is probably 4 months old now and our female cat is almost 2 years old. there hasnt been any fighting that we know of but the little kitten like to play a little rough and chases the older cat around. he also like to jump on her and goes after he tail when he sees it moving. the older cat makes some whining noises sometimes and isnt as playful as she used to be. Is he hurting her or is this playful and she is just being mopey??

If he hurts her, she'll make sure he knows it and no more playing until she decides to forgive him.

Doesn't sound like anything to worry about or interfere with.

Lindermann, to get all "psychological" on you LOL, the little kitty is trying to get the older resident kitty to establish her dominance and territory. I am going through the same thing now, with introducing Napoleon to Cassie. Napoleon is a bit older, probably about 2, and Cassie is 3 1/2. She has gone through that whole attack everything and chase stuff around stage, and he is just getting into it. It drives me nuts, because I hate that he follows her around relentlessly, but I also know that it is part of their nature, so it makes me feel a little bit better.

Try to engage the little fella in some play therapy to distract him from following her so much .

Do they look like this?, if they do it's normal because the little one wants to play with your older cat, and like Yayi said, your older cat will soon let the "kid" know when enough is enough

It's normal and the older one will let her know when enough is enough

OMG Susan that could be a picture of Bakker on top when he "plays" with Grizzly!!!

Thanks for all the help guys. Another thing happened this morning that had me worried especially since we are scheduled to leave for a few days and they'll be alone. The younger kitten kept going after the older one's tail and then the older one started to screech loudly and his after he would do that. Is this her way of saying enough is enough? Should I be worried about leaving them alone for a few days?

This could definately be Billy and Chay. Poor Billy takes so much flak off of Chay, he often has a very resigned look on his face as Chay goes after him yet again!

As for leaving them alone for a few days, I wouldn't with a kitten so young. Is there anyone you can ask to drop by at least once or twice a day while you're gone just to make sure everyone's okay? I don't even think that it would be each other that's the problem, kittens just have a way of getting into things they shouldn't be getting in to! Good luck!

Originally Posted by lindermann

Thanks for all the help guys. Another thing happened this morning that had me worried especially since we are scheduled to leave for a few days and they'll be alone. The younger kitten kept going after the older one's tail and then the older one started to screech loudly and his after he would do that. Is this her way of saying enough is enough? Should I be worried about leaving them alone for a few days?

Click to expand...

Hi Lindermann, are you sure you're not me LOL?

Napoleon chased Cassie around and usually she just hisses, maybe crouches and growls a bit, till he backs off then she goes on her merry way. Last night she SHRIEKED so loud when he was bothering her, I thought we were all going to end up in the hospital (myself included LOL).

It is definitely her way of saying ENOUGH. However, how new are they to each other? You may want to keep the new guy in a separate room with his own food, water, little box and toys till you return. I have not been away more than a couple of hours since my cats have spent 24/7 with each other, but I am STRESSING OUT over the day when I will. It won't be for awhile, but I know if I left them now, fur would fly!

I wouldn't leave them on their own for a few days either.

With my two i was always there and when i was at work Sophie stayed in the bathroom.

It was just over a month when i left them on their own together, and that was only for an hour while i went to the gym, then i left them for a couple of hours a couple of days later, and gradually the time together got longer until i was happy to leave them together all day.

As for the tail grabbing, i wouldn't worry either, but keep a close eye on them.

Sophie often had a bop on the head from Rosie when she went too far

Sounds like the older cat is just being lazy and just doesn't feel like playing. If the kitten hurts the older cat, I'm sure the older one will put the kitten in it's place.

We have had the two cats for about a month now. we introduced them right away and have never had problems. this activity is normal and just wanted to get feedback from others. they are on their own all day while my fiance and i are at work. there are never any problems when we come home. the house seems to be in one piece. i just dont want the older one hurting the young one

Oh well if their ok when you go to work then i wouldn't worry, but i wouldn't leave them while your away for a few days.