When do I separate them???

hs4816 · Nov 23, 2005

Hi all

I'm integrating a 12 week old in with my 1 year old. Things are going fantastically well... I'm just worried that I'm being overprotective....

They chase each other and wrestle quite a bit. Both cats initiate the wrestling sessions. There is never any growling. There is occasionally a "poofy tail" or a hiss.... but it's pretty rare.

My older cat will sometimes pin the younger one down until it squeaks.... is that from pain or is that a normal submissive behavior??

I don't want to let the play get too rough, but I also don't want to get in the way of normal behavior...

any tips??

solaritybengals · Nov 23, 2005

If there is no blood then they are fine. My cats hiss, growl, and do the poofy tail thing on a daily basis. It is about 80% of the time in play. Our 2 year old cat is the only one that usually means it and its just a warning to the kittens to stay back. She may take a swipe at them but its just a dominance thing and she never inflicts injury. I actually think she disciplines them sometimes. However, during play wrestling that is completely normal behavior as long as there is never an injury.

goldenkitty45 · Nov 23, 2005

Unless they really are biting each other, leave them alone. The older one is just putting the younger one in his place.

hs4816 · Nov 23, 2005

But how do I know if it's "real" or not??? I'd hate to wait for blood...

The little one does start purring as soon as I pick him up, and he usually starts chasing the older one to re-instigate the play, so I'm guessing things probably aren't too rough...

thanks!

starcrossd03 · Nov 26, 2005

My cats are doing the same thing...they're both 1 1/2 years old, but one (who's significantly smaller) has only lived with us for about a month. The bigger one will tackle her, hold her down, and lick her and nibble a little and eventually bite, and she'll howl, but she starts purring as soon as he eases up. Occassionally she'll get really upset and start hissing at him, and I separate them at that point if he doesn't chill out. My BF is always concerned that he's hurting her, but I figure that if she's not running and hiding and acting scared of him -- instead, half the time she's instigating it by running after him -- she's probably just fine.

tnr1 · Nov 26, 2005

Originally Posted by starcrossd03

My cats are doing the same thing...they're both 1 1/2 years old, but one (who's significantly smaller) has only lived with us for about a month. The bigger one will tackle her, hold her down, and lick her and nibble a little and eventually bite, and she'll howl, but she starts purring as soon as he eases up. Occassionally she'll get really upset and start hissing at him, and I separate them at that point if he doesn't chill out. My BF is always concerned that he's hurting her, but I figure that if she's not running and hiding and acting scared of him -- instead, half the time she's instigating it by running after him -- she's probably just fine.

I wouldn't be concerned...my boy does the same thing to his sister and they are now 7 years old. I consider it part of the territory play.

Katie

caitlin · Nov 26, 2005

I also agree with allowing them to do that. They are sorting out who's higher and lower in the social order.. You'll know when its a real cat fight, if that happens.

avalon · Nov 26, 2005

Originally Posted by Caitlin

I also agree with allowing them to do that. They are sorting out who's higher and lower in the social order.. You'll know when its a real cat fight, if that happens.

I second that. If they are just messing around, it's okay. Sometimes the younger ones squeak, but they're just saying, push off, you're going too far...

I always let mine figure themselves out, unless serious fighting begins

When do I separate them???

hs4816

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solaritybengals

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goldenkitty45

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hs4816

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starcrossd03

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tnr1

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caitlin

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avalon

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