Big cat bites little cat...is this okay?

I have Kitty, who is roughly 11 pounds. Then, we just got Claw, who is roughly 1 pound. Claw likes to antagonize Kitty by chasing his tail and pouncing on him. Naturally, Kitty retaliates. He will put Claw in this kind of kitty-head-lock and bite down on him...then he licks him. While Claw mews and tries to escape, after inspection, I have never seen bite marks or scratch marks on the kitten. Is this normal play? They seem to get along but, I wonder...is Kitty really hurting Claw? Any advice or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated and would ease my mind. Thanks!
Jennifer
UPDATE: It would seem I underestimated the size of my kitten, lol. My husband has informed me that claw is about 3 pounds...doesn't seem like it! So, with the two extra pounds, does this make a difference? Watching them today, Claw seems to hold his own. Thanks for all the advice and suggestions, keep 'em coming. I am interested in learning all I can!

Originally Posted by whitephantom

I have Kitty, who is roughly 11 pounds. Then, we just got Claw, who is roughly 1 pound. Claw likes to antagonize Kitty by chasing his tail and pouncing on him. Naturally, Kitty retaliates. He will put Claw in this kind of kitty-head-lock and bite down on him...then he licks him. While Claw mews and tries to escape, after inspection, I have never seen bite marks or scratch marks on the kitten. Is this normal play? They seem to get along but, I wonder...is Kitty really hurting Claw? Any advice or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated and would ease my mind. Thanks!
Jennifer

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this is normal HOWEVER, since claw is so small I would seperate them until he gains a few pounds.

hmm weell 1 pound is awfully small, I would think the kitten should still be with its mother being that small!

But the baby is just playing and the older cat is trying to keep him in line and show him who is boss. The kitten might be a little young to be unsupervised with a grown cat. Is the grown cat neutered? I would be a little worred that he may be agressive with the kitten too.

If there is no blood being drawn and no severe bite marks you are probably okay. Did you go through the proper introduction methods for introducing cats?

I'm having the same thing happen between my two. Bit will chop down on the scruff of Scratch's neck and hold him there. Scratch will start to cry when he is sick of it. There is no blood, and no damage to either cat. Because of the size difference between the two I would separate them for a while just to allow the baby to get a little bigger.

Thanks again for all your advice and stuff. Also wanted to mention that I was considering having Kitty declawed. It wasn't something that was sitting right with me anyhow. After coming here, I have made my decision...Kitty will KEEP his claws! I had no idea how much pain this caused. If you don't know, you would think it just a simple, painless procedure. So, Kitty thanks you for educating his mamma!
Jennifer

IF the kitten is making a lot of crying whimpering shrieking noises, then it's not good. If he seems to be having fun, then it's ok.

He doesn't make a lot of crying but, he does cry. Could this be that Kitty just has him pinned? Don't mean to be obsessing...just want to learn.

Oh yes...Kitty is very very tolerant of having his claws trimmed. His previous owner had been trimming them since he was small. Need to get Claw started on this so as he gets older, he is equally as tolerant. I'm so glad I found this site! hee hee