Are my cats fighting or playing?

Question

I've had one of my cats for almost two years, and we brought a new kitten home about a week ago. The kitten is about 2 months old or less, and the older cat is 2 years old. They get along most of the time even though I was afraid the older cat was being hostile towards the kitten at first. They've been getting along pretty well since then.

Now my older cat is fighting and biting the kitten, but I don't know if they're actually fighting or just playing. I get the feeling the older cat is trying to discipline the kitten, but I can't be sure. Should I intervene break up the fights or just let them be?

And if you couldn't tell, I haven't had cats before these ones, so I'm completely clueless.

Answer 1

Cats will always bicker a little bit. I they get along most of the time then I think it is fine. Other times they just protect their turf or just "play fight" sometimes. It is hard to explain, but mine do it all the time. They will take swipes at each other and nip and chase each other and then get bored and take a nap. I don't think it is anything to worry about but is actually normal.

Answer 2

Can be difficult to tell the difference between playing and fighting. If they wail or scream or you notice scratches then separting them is a good idea. If it happens again, they may just not be compatible. Most cats learn to live together well, some just stay out of each others way, other become friends, but don't allow one cat to beat up on another repeatedly. that would be cruel.

Answer 3

I would think that they are just playing, until you see actual injuries on the kitten.  Maybe the older cat is teaching the kitten to leave her alone.  Kittens can be quite playful and irritating to the older cat, I think if the older cat is hurting the kitten that the kitten will learn to keep it's distance.

Answer 4

Your older cat will do alot of dicapline to your kitten until the kitten learns not to bite or scratch too much.

If there is any hissing with arched backs or deep throat 'reeeeeers' then I would seperate them for awhile until the kitten calms down.

Light faint growls can be a form of play so that will be hard to catch on.

Answer 5

I'd say that if there isn't any hissing, growling or bloodshed everything is okay. Your older cat is going to aggressively establish it's territory and dominance.

Answer 6

They are probably playing and the older one will probably teach a bit of discipline here and there.  If cats are seriously upset they tend to make terrible noises, although some make terrible noises anyway.  Watch them for a bit.  If they keep their ears folded back then there's a decent chance they're actually angry.  But as long as they aren't hurting each other I wouldn't get involved.

If the older kitty isn't neutered already then get him fixed, that will help them get along and go ahead and get the kitten fixed too.  Regardless of gender, it will be easier for them to get along if the kitten doesn't reach sexual maturity.

Most of time pet cats are pretty good about just playing.  Even when my cats actually disagree they don't hurt each other. I have 6, 5 are boys and there's never any serious fighting.  Your kitty is probably happy to have a playmate.  

Answer 7

Make sure they're not drawing blood on each other. If they're not, leave them at it unless, like the other responder says, they start getting really vocal and you will be able to tell from their voices if it's going too far, just like with kids I guess. It does sound like the older cat is trying to discipline the younger one as well as asserting her dominance. If the kitten challenges this dominance you may see some more hardcore fights but this too will die down.