🐱 Cat Behaviour · 2 min
Are your cats playing or fighting?
How to tell play fighting from a real fight.
Wrestling is normal
When wrestling, cats practise hunting and defending. Young cats in particular often tussle loudly, with paw swipes and chases. Usually it's pure play.
This is what play looks like
The claws stay in, there's hardly any hissing or growling. The roles switch: sometimes one chases, sometimes the other, sometimes one is on top, sometimes the other. There are breaks in between, and afterwards both often lie relaxed together.
This is what a real fight looks like
The ears are flat back, the fur stands on end and the tail is puffed up. Add hissing, growling or screaming. Often only one cat chases while the other flees or hides. Afterwards they avoid each other.
When it gets too wild
Never go between them with your hands. Interrupt with a clap or a cushion between the two instead. Don't scold, that only makes the mood tenser. Daily hunting games with a feather wand burn off excess energy.
When it often kicks off
If your cats fight regularly, have them checked by the vet, because pain makes cats irritable. Provide enough of everything: bowls, sleeping spots, scratching posts and one litter box more than cats. If that doesn't help, a cat behaviour consultant can help.
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