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The litter tray

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

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Original poster

Kittens ‘fighting’ what’s normal?

13 replies

retainertrainer · 30/10/2018 14:54

We got our rescue kittens last week,a brother and sister,10 weeks old. They’re so lovely, very friendly with us,litter trained,great fun but by god they fight. They’re constantly stalking each other, ambushing each other. I don’t know if it’s playful or not. Some of it looks fun but there’s some instances where their ears are back, spines arched,fur puffed.

Does this sound normal? Do I leave them to it or break them up? I’ve never had 2 cats before. Bit worried that they don’t really get on.

The female has also taken shine to one toy in particular and carries it around whilst growling.

OP posts:

theknackster · 30/10/2018 15:07

Sounds normal to me! Our two litter-mate kittens are the same, as were our old pair.

SpoonBlender · 30/10/2018 15:12

Totally normal. You can interrupt while they're doing it if you fancy, it'll take a couple of seconds but they'll move into cuddly purr mode.

Our two (girls) spent a lot of time fighting - very onesidedly! - for the first six months. Then it settled down when the smaller one suddenly got to the same weight as the bigger one. Heh.

Now at two they'll occasionally get the zoomies and chase each other roung the house hissing, or ambush each other waiting behind doors or crouched on windowledges. If one of them gets a good growl on, it's usually a sign she's brought in a dead mouse or hunted a particularly menacing leaf or something and is being all posessive about it.

Our previous sibling pair were boy and girl and it was a bit more angry than these two, but again they settled down. They never were snuggly with each other though. Get them done as soon as practical!

probablynotrelevant · 30/10/2018 15:20

My two cats still beat the shit out of each at least daily and they are nearly two years old now. Its hilarious, they need a little boxing ring. They also groom each other, but that usually descends into kitty butt kicking, thinking about it!

probablynotrelevant · 30/10/2018 15:21

They are brothers, by the way. Rescue cats as well. Very affectionate and cuddly.

GetOffTheTableMabel · 30/10/2018 15:24

Watch them for a while and make sure that they’re taking turns at being the aggressor. As long as one is doing the chasing and then the other, rather than one constantly picking on the other, it’s just play.

Lauren83 · 30/10/2018 15:26

I have 6 cats and 4 of them since kittens and they would fight all the time, the kittens would even try to fight the older cats, no one got hurt they were just boisterous and play fighting, you will know the difference if you ever see them proper fighting

Original poster

retainertrainer · 30/10/2018 15:31

It does seem pretty even at the minute,they take turns hunting each other. They’re very funny to watch. The boy pooed in the crate on our way home from the sanctuary and the girl cleaned his tail when we arrived home.

Our donation fee includes neutering so they’ll be done ASAP.

OP posts:

MrsChollySawcutt · 30/10/2018 15:51

Totally normal. They are learning and enjoying themselves!

My two littermate girls are 18mths old now and still have a chase and skirmish every day. Right now they are curled up together in a furry heap by the wood burner.

Allergictoironing · 30/10/2018 15:56

My general rule is if there's never any blood and/or screaming with pain (as opposed to growling & yowling) then it's play.

Mine (4 year old rescues, litter brother & sister, ex-feral) are very closely bonded and spend most of the day curled up in bed together. Doesn't stop them chasing & attacking each other, sitting up on their haunches & boxing like hares etc. Boycat's latest is to start grooming Girlcat then bite her to start a fight. He weights a fair bit more than her (6kg vs 4.8kg) but she's usually the winner and is definitely the more dominant cat. They take turns in starting things, doing the chasing, and giving up first.

BlooperReel · 30/10/2018 16:11

You will know if it ever gets real by the god awful screeching

viccat · 30/10/2018 17:53

Totally normal at that age and an important part of learning social skills. This is why it's so important to have a pair (or more!) of kittens - they teach each other boundaries in their play fights and keep each other entertained.

BarbedBloom · 31/10/2018 17:12

My two are always fighting and we have had a few hisses when one has taken it too far. We clap our hands together if we think it is getting a bit too intense, but then they are asleep cuddled up a few minutes later. So very normal as far as I am concerned

PiggeryPorcombe · 31/10/2018 17:23

Actually I think we need to see a photo to prove this is actually happening OP. You could be a troll

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