Is this play-fighting or something more serious?
June 22, 2015 10:25 AM Subscribe
my kitty cats (see previous questions for photos) really are classic Frenemies. They sleep together, Crocket licks Binky's face and ears before they go to sleep , they run around together, sniff each other's bums and both sit watching birds and insects out the window.... so, they obviously love each right? Then what is this wrestling and is it just play?
The cats will spend a good portion of the afternoon/ evening chasing each other around the house. It seems to be playful, but yesterday I heard a little bit of low growling from Binky and it made me wonder if it is just play or something more serious.
1 - Both cats seem to instigate as much as the other. I've watched them closely and the instigation is seemingly equal
2 - Both cats will swat at each other but sometimes Crocket tries to bite Binky.... he doesn't seem to have made contact yet but this has me concerned
3 - After some swatting and batting, they both lie down apparently submissively and groom themselves for a bit before starting again
My instincts say that they are just playing the way cats should play, but I've noticed some body language that makes me wonder.
1 - Binky's ears are flattened and in "Aeroplane" mode while they are scrapping
2 - Binky's low long growl yesterday indicated she was not "playing"
3 - Crocket's tail is swishing is a very aggressive way
4 - I noticed Binky marking one of her beds by depositing a small amount of urine and I've read that's hostile behavior
They are both indoor cats and for the most part, they seem to get on well with each other. Like I said, they often sleep together and lick one another, there's not been any hissing since they first met each other, no litter tray issues.... but the chase-play-growl scenario has me a little worried.
Can anyone help set my mind at ease as to whether these guys are just playing like cats, or should I be concerned over some of the other stuff I've seen? Is this play or is this fighting?
The cats will spend a good portion of the afternoon/ evening chasing each other around the house. It seems to be playful, but yesterday I heard a little bit of low growling from Binky and it made me wonder if it is just play or something more serious.
1 - Both cats seem to instigate as much as the other. I've watched them closely and the instigation is seemingly equal
2 - Both cats will swat at each other but sometimes Crocket tries to bite Binky.... he doesn't seem to have made contact yet but this has me concerned
3 - After some swatting and batting, they both lie down apparently submissively and groom themselves for a bit before starting again
My instincts say that they are just playing the way cats should play, but I've noticed some body language that makes me wonder.
1 - Binky's ears are flattened and in "Aeroplane" mode while they are scrapping
2 - Binky's low long growl yesterday indicated she was not "playing"
3 - Crocket's tail is swishing is a very aggressive way
4 - I noticed Binky marking one of her beds by depositing a small amount of urine and I've read that's hostile behavior
They are both indoor cats and for the most part, they seem to get on well with each other. Like I said, they often sleep together and lick one another, there's not been any hissing since they first met each other, no litter tray issues.... but the chase-play-growl scenario has me a little worried.
Can anyone help set my mind at ease as to whether these guys are just playing like cats, or should I be concerned over some of the other stuff I've seen? Is this play or is this fighting?
That's play. You're fine.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 10:34 AM on June 22, 2015
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 10:34 AM on June 22, 2015
My cats also have a love/hate thing. I've had people over who are like OMG they will kill each other but they've been doing this for years and always fine, despite their occasional fur flying scrappling things.
To address specifics:
1 - Binky's ears are flattened and in "Aeroplane" mode while they are scrapping
Mine do this. The little one does ear flattening more.
2 - Binky's low long growl yesterday indicated she was not "playing"
Little one does this growl. Usually I stop it at this point if I'm around. They are easily distracted by food or just picking one of them up, which is part of why I don't take it seriously.
3 - Crocket's tail is swishing is a very aggressive way
my bigger one does this.
4 - I noticed Binky marking one of her beds by depositing a small amount of urine and I've read that's hostile behavior
Neither do this, and that's the only part I'd be concerned about too. Maybe keep an eye on it and make sure all's good in the litterbox etc.
posted by sweetkid at 10:38 AM on June 22, 2015
To address specifics:
1 - Binky's ears are flattened and in "Aeroplane" mode while they are scrapping
Mine do this. The little one does ear flattening more.
2 - Binky's low long growl yesterday indicated she was not "playing"
Little one does this growl. Usually I stop it at this point if I'm around. They are easily distracted by food or just picking one of them up, which is part of why I don't take it seriously.
3 - Crocket's tail is swishing is a very aggressive way
my bigger one does this.
4 - I noticed Binky marking one of her beds by depositing a small amount of urine and I've read that's hostile behavior
Neither do this, and that's the only part I'd be concerned about too. Maybe keep an eye on it and make sure all's good in the litterbox etc.
posted by sweetkid at 10:38 AM on June 22, 2015
The posturing and tail-swishing, etc., is definitely play, but get the urine thing checked out by a vet. I would put money on the cat in question having a UTI (peeing in unusual places, especially on soft surfaces, is a classic indicator of such).
posted by aecorwin at 10:40 AM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by aecorwin at 10:40 AM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
I agree that the marking thing is a trip to the vet. Get that checked out.
As the owner of a long passed actually-violent cat: In terms of REAL fighting, when cats fight there is lost blood and fur. Lots of both. It's pretty unmistakable.
posted by French Fry at 10:53 AM on June 22, 2015 [4 favorites]
As the owner of a long passed actually-violent cat: In terms of REAL fighting, when cats fight there is lost blood and fur. Lots of both. It's pretty unmistakable.
posted by French Fry at 10:53 AM on June 22, 2015 [4 favorites]
Agreeing with French Fry. For someone who's accustomed to seeing cats play-fighting or sparring, the sight of a real fully aggressive cat fight can come as a huge shock.
posted by Flexagon at 11:08 AM on June 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Flexagon at 11:08 AM on June 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
It sounds like it's mostly play with a bit of territorial juggling going on.
Cats that really don't like each other tend to avoid contact as much as possible. They have conflicts over things cats are about like food (huddling behaviours, etc...) and litter boxes.
Real fights are short but violent, up to and including biting and scratching---swats with full claws out are how they might behave. If you see visible open scratches, particularly on the ears or head, they're not playing.
If they are using the same litter area without problems that's a major indicator they're not that stressed by each other. If someone start peeing or pooping regularly elsewhere, look at additional litter trays, possibly in separate locations.
As you're not see avoidance, food hoarding, litter dominance or actual fights, I think your two are pretty safe together.
posted by bonehead at 11:14 AM on June 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
Cats that really don't like each other tend to avoid contact as much as possible. They have conflicts over things cats are about like food (huddling behaviours, etc...) and litter boxes.
Real fights are short but violent, up to and including biting and scratching---swats with full claws out are how they might behave. If you see visible open scratches, particularly on the ears or head, they're not playing.
If they are using the same litter area without problems that's a major indicator they're not that stressed by each other. If someone start peeing or pooping regularly elsewhere, look at additional litter trays, possibly in separate locations.
As you're not see avoidance, food hoarding, litter dominance or actual fights, I think your two are pretty safe together.
posted by bonehead at 11:14 AM on June 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
For someone who's accustomed to seeing cats play-fighting or sparring, the sight of a real fully aggressive cat fight can come as a huge shock.
Yep.
I now have a missing lymph node to remind me never again to reach into the middle of such a whirling black and orange blur to break it up by grabbing one of the combatants. Bucket of cold water, stat.
posted by flabdablet at 11:18 AM on June 22, 2015
Yep.
I now have a missing lymph node to remind me never again to reach into the middle of such a whirling black and orange blur to break it up by grabbing one of the combatants. Bucket of cold water, stat.
posted by flabdablet at 11:18 AM on June 22, 2015
You're describing totally normal play. I correct my cats with a loud, "Hey!" when they up the ante to growling at each other. But it's not really a big deal when they growl or even hiss a little at each other during play. They're playing but they're also determining dominance. It's necessary stuff. You'd know if they were really fighting because one or both of them would get injured. Cats don't mess around when they fight.
The peeing is unrelated. You've gotten some good advice about that above.
posted by dchrssyr at 11:25 AM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
The peeing is unrelated. You've gotten some good advice about that above.
posted by dchrssyr at 11:25 AM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: this is a real catfight
(watch to the end)
the signs are
- vocalizations (play fighting is mostly quiet, except when one cat howls to let the other cat know that particular bite was too strong; real fighting has that ungodly howl and banshee shrieking)
- speed (play fighting is like slow-mo judo, actual fighting is ridiculously fast)
- they're actually trying to hurt each other (as said above it's unmistakable when a cat wants to do damage to another cat)
- post fight behavior (play fighting they walk away or just casually lose interest and there is no lingering bad feelings, real fighting has each cat permanently on each other's shit list)
Your cats sound like it's 100% play, especially since it's shared instigation and their body language is relaxed in between.
FWIW my cats play like this all the time.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 11:33 AM on June 22, 2015 [6 favorites]
(watch to the end)
the signs are
- vocalizations (play fighting is mostly quiet, except when one cat howls to let the other cat know that particular bite was too strong; real fighting has that ungodly howl and banshee shrieking)
- speed (play fighting is like slow-mo judo, actual fighting is ridiculously fast)
- they're actually trying to hurt each other (as said above it's unmistakable when a cat wants to do damage to another cat)
- post fight behavior (play fighting they walk away or just casually lose interest and there is no lingering bad feelings, real fighting has each cat permanently on each other's shit list)
Your cats sound like it's 100% play, especially since it's shared instigation and their body language is relaxed in between.
FWIW my cats play like this all the time.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 11:33 AM on June 22, 2015 [6 favorites]
Sounds just like frenzied playfighting to me. It's extremely difficult to tell for sure without pictures, though. Just sayin'.
posted by pazazygeek at 11:51 AM on June 22, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by pazazygeek at 11:51 AM on June 22, 2015 [3 favorites]
You might check with a vet. Our bonded cats started more aggressively fighting at one point. The vet said that around a certain age their relationship can change and that we should keep on eye on it to keep it under control so that it didn't turn into real fights and permanently change how they interact. Our male cat was usually the one who started it and our female cat was marking things a lot at that time. What's worked to fix things - keeping our male cat mellower - feilway, play, always having food, and changing the litterbox situation for our other cat - more boxes, different litter. When the fighting gets out of hand a squirt bottle works well to distract them as they have to stop and groom all the water off themselves.
posted by oneear at 11:59 AM on June 22, 2015
posted by oneear at 11:59 AM on June 22, 2015
Two of my cats used to fight just like that on a regular basis. I was worried at first but it became apparent that they both enjoyed it. It often looked fairly aggressive with hissing, etc but if you split them apart, they'd both slink off to another room and start up again. If they'd catch me spying on their fight, they would stop, try to look casual ("just sitting here licking my paw, nothing to see, move along...") And then start back up the minute I was out of sight.
One of the two playmates died fairly young, and it was heartbreaking to see the remaining cat periodically try to start a wrestling match with one of our other cats, who seriously wanted no part of it and rebuffed him with ease. He seemed sad about the loss of his playmate for the rest of his life.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 12:02 PM on June 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
One of the two playmates died fairly young, and it was heartbreaking to see the remaining cat periodically try to start a wrestling match with one of our other cats, who seriously wanted no part of it and rebuffed him with ease. He seemed sad about the loss of his playmate for the rest of his life.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 12:02 PM on June 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
If the answer to the question "Has blood been drawn?" is no, then it's probably play fighting.
posted by Librarypt at 12:07 PM on June 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Librarypt at 12:07 PM on June 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
Best answer: If you're worried, clap once loudly during the fight. Cats that are fighting for real can't afford to stop fighting. Cats that are playfighting will freeze.
posted by Omnomnom at 12:25 PM on June 22, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by Omnomnom at 12:25 PM on June 22, 2015 [5 favorites]
This is how my cats play-fight. If you hear a yowl or a growl, a loud "HEY!" and/or sharp clap of the hands should be enough to break them up. My cats slap, bite, kick and throw each other over, with ears bent back and furious tail-thumping. Frequently they leave large clumps of one another's fur surrounding the battle site. Neither has ever hurt the other one. I've only had to break them up about three times when it seemed to be escalating beyond their control, and only one time actually had to put them in separate rooms to calm down. Usually there is a clear "winner," and one struts away victorious while the other finds a spot to hide and clean their fur compulsively. Or sometimes the fight just peters out when one decided he's hungry and walks away to the food dish.
Agree with others that the peeing is something separate and you should consult the vet for that.
posted by stennieville at 12:34 PM on June 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
Agree with others that the peeing is something separate and you should consult the vet for that.
posted by stennieville at 12:34 PM on June 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks everyone! You've most certainly set my mind at ease.....
I had considered the peeing thing to be a related incident, but obviously it isn't, so I'll take her to the vet ASAP (because that's her FAVOURITE thing to do hahah!) but obviously, if she's got a UTI, I don't want her to be suffering!
Thanks again Folks!! Always so helpful.
posted by JenThePro at 2:36 PM on June 22, 2015
I had considered the peeing thing to be a related incident, but obviously it isn't, so I'll take her to the vet ASAP (because that's her FAVOURITE thing to do hahah!) but obviously, if she's got a UTI, I don't want her to be suffering!
Thanks again Folks!! Always so helpful.
posted by JenThePro at 2:36 PM on June 22, 2015
Good luck at the vet's! I also want to chime in and mention that even if you find bits of fur on the floor or discover a small scab on one of your kitties, it could very well still be playfighting. We adopted two incredibly sweet boys earlier this year, and when they're off chasing and tumbling into each other things can sometimes feel pretty heated. However they're back to grooming each other on our bed by the end of each night.
We make sure to keep everyone's nails trimmed (front and back paws) and keep a spray bottle around in case the shenanigans go on for more than a few minutes.
posted by erratic meatsack at 7:29 PM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
We make sure to keep everyone's nails trimmed (front and back paws) and keep a spray bottle around in case the shenanigans go on for more than a few minutes.
posted by erratic meatsack at 7:29 PM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
Popped back in to add that if you're worried, consider playing with each cat a little more to tire them out and to use up their prey drive on a toy instead of each other. When things get a little too heated in my house a few good rounds with a laser pointer or feather on a string helps diffuse the tension to a manageable level again.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 8:03 PM on June 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by St. Peepsburg at 8:03 PM on June 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
If one of them has a UTI or something she may be crankier than usual while playing, hence growling etc.
posted by Iteki at 1:07 AM on June 23, 2015
posted by Iteki at 1:07 AM on June 23, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by something something at 10:27 AM on June 22, 2015 [5 favorites]