Cats: Playing or fighting?

Question

We got a new kitten about two weeks ago. He has finally been accepted by our three-year-old female cat, meaning that they can be in the same room together with supervision! She will hiss at him if he charges at her or pounces on her, but other times they'll lay and relax just a couple feet apart- so they CAN get along. Sometimes they go sprinting through the house in a chase- him chasing her, or her chasing him. Sometimes she'll hiss at him during the chase, and other times her ears will perk up and she'll look like she's playing. She's so inconsistent, I think she's confusing me AND the kitten. Are they playing or fighting? I have previously only owned one cat at a time, so this is new to me.

Answer 1

I am in the same situation with my 4 month old kitten and my three year old cat- they wrestle around and sometimes they meow like crazy and nip at eachother when they're doing it. I can't tell if they're playing or what. I have been playing close attention and what I find most interesting is that the kitten will pounce on the cat, they'll wrestle around for awhile, they'll separate, then one of them will go back for more and the other is happy about it. Now and then one will push the other too far and make the other run away, but my boyfriend insists that they're just playing and that the cat is teaching the kitten to wrestle while showing him whose boss. Hissing isn't a friendly thing, but it's likely that it will pass, because the potential for a close relationship is there. I think you cats probably enjoy having a buddy to mess around with more than you think. Just keep an eye on them and as log as no one is running and hiding, you're all good. P.S.-Recently I read somewhere that if they're wrestling around, yelling isn't a good idea, because they'll develope a negative connection with the playing. Tap on the ground or whstle or jingle keys instead. I hope that helps!

Answer 2

sounds like playing , but she is just reminding him who the boss is  

Answer 3

there playing, 2 cats together who play chase are soooo funny, at the same time they always stay on the defence, so a little hissing and even a swift paw round the kitz head is all not ment to harm, they sound like there fine together showing normal cat behaviour!

Answer 4

That's perfectly normal. I have 2 year-old cats, spayed females, & 1 6-month neutered male. The girls are sisters, the boy is no relation & was brought in at about 8-10 weeks of age. They took a little time to get acquainted, but now act like your's are acting. Its just he way they are. No problem.