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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Cats don't really hurt each other when they playfight do they?

17 replies

kittensliveupstairs · 09/08/2011 14:21

My two 17 week old boys are laying next to me on the sofa. One is much more outgoing compared to the other. Danger cat (Jalapeno) keeps swiping his brother around the face. Terry occasionally opens an eye and has a feeble go back but keeps flicking the end of his tail which of course Jala goes for.
I am a bit worried that they will hurt themselves or each other. Part of this playing means Terry keeps dragging himself away and sliding off the sofa and hitting the deck.
I think the falling off does more to dent his pride than brains, but should I be concerend or pleased that they are honing their agression skills agains the neighbourhood cats?

OP posts:
purplepidjin · 09/08/2011 14:23

Nah, it's how they learn how far they can push it. Unsocialised kittens tend to make very scratchy cats! My 5yo cat wasn't particularly well socialised when I got her, but was properly put in her place by my (now deceased) other cat. She now knows not to use her claws to tell off the bunny...

DontCallMeBaby · 09/08/2011 19:27

My 2yo boys have some spectacular fights, but neither has ever done any damage to the other - at least I blithely assume that it's been other cats that have done the damage when there HAS been some. [hm] They're forever smacking each other across the face, and one specialises in rabbit kicks, but I've had a good close look (feeling brave) and they don't put their claws out.

Fluffycloudland77 · 09/08/2011 19:36

If there's no snarling and hissing it's just playing and practice for serious fights.

Sometimes the passive cat snaps and puts the other firmly in their place.

purplepidjin · 09/08/2011 20:38

If the ears are up and the fur down, it's playing. Millie used to hiss and yowl at Mango, but they never drew blood - knocked a few books flying as they tore round the house though!

DontCallMeBaby · 09/08/2011 21:31

Ooh, I'd quite forgotten - mine had a proper falling out once, which was completely different to the playfighting. It mostly consisted of them glaring at each other and hissing if they got to close. I think they slapped each other a couple of times but mostly it was just psychological warfare ('twas horrible).

ClaireDeLoon · 09/08/2011 21:35

My two boys (7 & 3) play fight all the time, it gets quite squeally and noisy but they've never hurt each other. They really do go at it but it's just playing.

The older one tries to bite the younger ones bollocks. I helpfully point out he hasn't got any anymore but he still tries.

MadamDeathstare · 09/08/2011 21:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

purplepidjin · 09/08/2011 22:03

Ooh, I just remembered - Mango had a showdown with an interloper once. It was proper cut-the-atmosphere-with-a-knife-stuff for about 20 minutes before they went for each other and I chucked a bucket of water on them! Nothing like the little indoor spats

MadamDeathstare · 09/08/2011 22:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ClaireDeLoon · 09/08/2011 22:07

Yes when they mean it you can tell, there is low level menacing deep grumbling with constant staring eye contact. A real sense of intimidation. They do it to interlopers. My old cat was a master of intimidation. I never actually saw him fight but he won every bout.

ClaireDeLoon · 09/08/2011 22:10

MadameDS yes they do this with each other, have a video of it it somewhere.

And also head washing with menace that turns into a ruck, as in I will lick your head to show you I'm boss. No I don't get it either.

Original poster
kittensliveupstairs · 10/08/2011 07:20

That's OK then. The nastiest it's ever got was when dangercat refused to come in one night. When Terry met him him in the morning it was all arched backs and sidling toward each other hissing.
Once Terry had caught Jala's scent it was all OK..

OP posts:
BendyBob · 10/08/2011 07:32

Mine are always stalking each other and biffing each other about. I've only heard the occasional yelp, usually from the younger one if he's had to be put in his place, mostly though they do it just to play.

They've never hurt each other and get on very well; mainly it's just being boistrous. They thunder around the house up and down the stairs chasing each other too.

There's no hissing or flat ears or growling though - that would mean they were being serious.

(Like the cat names being mentioned here btw![smlie])

DontCallMeBaby · 10/08/2011 17:24

Like the cat names being mentioned here btw!

Would this be a good point to mention that my cats are called Sausage and Pickle?

BendyBob · 10/08/2011 20:12

BrilliantGrin

I have ambitions to become a mad old lady with 50 catsBlush They are def my favourite animals .

Original poster
kittensliveupstairs · 12/08/2011 06:26

I have no ambitions in that direction, Bendy you sound like the woman who had put a death announcement in our local paper. If you had 50, imagine the expense Wink

OP posts:
purplepidjin · 12/08/2011 07:54

Mango's three-month birthday party Blush

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