2 kittens fighting - am a bit worried

[ChickSmile]

I got two kittens about a week ago. They are 11 weeks old.

One is significantly smaller than the other - almost half the size, the runt I guess.

They play alot together and obviously fight and bite.

However, though they are both give and take equally despite their difference in size, sometimes the bigger kitten really bites and bites, and the smaller one squeals and runs away.

I have read up on this and apparently though it is normal for kittens to playfight and bite and be rough, if they are squealing in pain, its not good.

They are indoor kittens at the moment. They have plenty of space to play etc.

At the moment, when I hear the smaller one squealing, I separate them and put the bigger one in another room for a while.

But obviously am a bit concerned about this for the future.

Anyone had any experience of this? Is this temporary? Will I have to separate them on a more permanent basis which would be sad?

Hi op . I've 2 cats myself , one 5 year old male Mainecoon mix so is a big boy but very docile , I rescued a 4 month old female a few months ago and she was a but aggressive at first but hes so soppy didnt bat an eyelid and have had no problem with fighting for about 8 weeks from her .
I would separate if the kittens are getting out if hand as you say but their will always be a play for dominance from the larger one I suspect but as the get bigger should get along more a reach a status quo iyswim.
Are they well worn out through play with toys etc

Hi IntheSameBoat, thank you. It is really quite stressful to watch and listen to when it goes beyond playfighting. They are normally very sweet kittens who still sleep together . Yes, I've read to separate them. Apparently to make a loud noise - e.g. clap your hands to stop it and then remove one. I will try that.

Yes, I think the bigger one more likely to be the dominant one.

But perhaps, like you say, once they get a bit older and bigger, they will calm down. Maybe trying to establish their status quo in new home at the moment ....

Chicksmile
Its definitely not nice to see ,especially as you just want them to get on and they should eventually it might take a few weeks or a few months but one day you will notice them probably grooming eachother as I did after lots of hissing a and growling it all seemed to finally just click.
Keep them separated for now and maybe let them have half an hour together at first then make it longer until you see am improvement.
I'm not a crazy cat lady and hardly the most experienced on here but I hope it helps.
Good luck.

Thanks. They are very sweet the rest of the time, groom each other, cuddle and so on. But I still think you are right, I might separate them more. It seems to be in the evening they do this!

Glad it worked out with your two :-).

Its like they are starting to need their own space too, but don't realise it yet. Psychobabble or possibly true !

I've just remembered something my vet said about kitten I took in . She would get awful zoomies in the evening running all around the house like a looney . And the vet said its pent up energy as cats are more active at night so he suggested a long play session, chasing balls, the stick things with feathers in that kind if thing and then feed later in the evening almost before you go to bed as then the kitten would be tired from play and a big feed.
Maybe you could try that .
The one I've got still zoomies but at about 4 am now not all night long so I have seen an improvement

Had a similar experience, a spray bottle of water does the trick perfectly. My cats adore each other, they fight like they're in an MMA championship but it's all playing, if it gets a bit much then I point the bottle at them and they immediately stop! Cats that groom and sleep together are very happy with each other so I wouldn't worry too much.

@ChickSmile I’m sensing from your post that they are both from the same litter? I’ve had experiences with kittens/cats for over 20 years and have just recently bought two maine coon bundles of joy from the same litter. They are mental and have stages of sleep, play, long times and jumping/fighting with each other. It’s all perfectly normal and what you describe is also normal behaviour in kittens. I personally wouldn’t separate them as that may cause unnecessary stress, they are still very young and getting to know their environment. Do they have plenty of toys to keep them entertained? Do you have spare time to play with them and tire them out? I agree with a pp to tire them out and give them a good feed in the evening (not too big as kittens stomachs are tiny). You could also try reprimanding the kitten that is making the other one squeal by picking it up by the scruff of the neck (like it’s mother would and doesn’t hurt the kitten at all) and tapping it on the nose. Good luck OP as they will turn out just fine I’m sure xx

Yes they are from the same litter, perhaps that wasn't clear. I don't think I'd tap them or spray water at them myself. As I said one of them is biting the other to the point of her being trapped under him and squealing in pain - so at that point it doesn't seem to me like they are playfighting anymore ... They have toys and a big caterpillar they run in and out and I do play with them too.

I think separating them in the evening for a short time might be good if they do this to encourage them to just to chill out a bit.