How can I tell if my cats are just playing or actually fighting?
Meggie Upton
2025-06-27 22:54:48
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An older cat has been biting my kittens belly and will place his paw over his neck and then bite him. My kitten will roll to his side and use his feet to kick at him. Then eventually he walks away, but then the cat will walk up to him and try again. Besides the puffed up tail and hissing are there other signs that cats are fighting. My kitten typically does not meow and rarely hisses. I see them chasing each other and playing so my kitten doesn’t dislike the older cat.
America Hudson
2025-06-23 04:47:35
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Cat Fighting Behavior is almost the same as their play behavior.
Cats fighting will hiss, growl, and yowl.
Fighting cats will bite each other and pull fur out.
Nails are out and scratches will appear on one or both cats’ faces or bodies.
A fighting cat may also lean back or lay on one side so they can easily scratch and bite if necessary.
A thumping tail is usually an indicator that a cat is agitated.
Fighting is consistent, without breaks.
If you see these behaviors, there’s a good chance your cat is playing:
Vocalization, it’s not uncommon for playing cats to sometimes hiss.
Mouth, biting is light and more like nipping.
Playing cats retract nails.
Playing cats have relaxed bodies, and may lean forward.
Playing cats will alternate who is on top when wrestling.
A playful cat’s tail will be up and the tip may quiver or move.
During play, there is a lot of starting and stopping.
While cats play, they’ll stop for a few seconds to scratch objects like scratching posts.
Playing cats will often stop and groom.
When you ask, “Are my cats fighting or playing?” you should also ask yourself if it looks like they’re having fun.
Entertained and engaged cats are happy cats, so they are most likely playing.
Gabriella Reilly
2025-06-16 06:09:42
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When cats are playing, their bodies are usually relaxed, they may roll around on the ground, and their movements are smooth. Cats may stare at each other intently during a fight because their bodies become tense and rigid. To intimidate the other cat, they might attempt to make themselves appear larger by puffing up their fur. Cats may produce chirping or trilling noises when they are playing, which are cheerful noises indicating that they are having fun. However, when cats fight, they might hiss, growl, or yowl instead—clear signs that playtime is over and they may need to be separated. Many cats hold their ears forward, upright, or backward during a friendly play session. However, if you observe that they turn their ears back or position them against their head then they are most likely fighting. Fighting usually involves a higher degree of aggression in one or both animals. In playful interactions, the cats may take turns chasing each other or rolling around. When cats are playing, their tails may be held high or twitching back and forth, which is a sign of excitement and playfulness. If their tails are positioned low to the ground, or lashing back and forth, this can be a clear sign of aggression and hostility.
Lyla Shanahan
2025-06-09 05:56:27
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To answer the question, observe how they hold their ears and tails and how they act around each other outside of playtime. Body language can tell you a lot. Both playing and fighting can involve jumping on each other, chasing, and even a little hissing. It's not unusual for play fighting to appear a bit aggressive. Your cats might also play bite without causing injury. Cats that are play fighting tend to take turns, letting one cat be at the bottom of the wrestling huddle and then the other. If your cats' bodies are relaxed or their ears are pointed forward, they're likely just playing. If your cats flatten their ears, hold their ears back, or puff up their fur or tails, this is a sign that they're fighting, not playing. Defensive, puffy postures and leaning away from each other while hissing with bared teeth are signs that your cats feel threatened and aren't having fun. Chasing a tired cat until it hides could also be a bad sign. Inflicting injury is another indication things have gone too far.
Elwyn Yundt
2025-06-04 01:20:27
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: 19
Playing together is considered one sign of a positive relationship, but the behaviors displayed when playing can be difficult to interpret as friendly as they can be very similar to those seen when cats fight and it can be difficult to tell the difference. These behaviors include staring, pouncing and chasing, as well as grabbing, wrestling and bunny kicking with their back paws. Although the behaviors can be when fighting or playing, there are subtle differences: Intensity – play is loose and bouncy, and less tense than fighting. Claws – these are generally retracted during play and come out during a fight. Turn taking – chasing and pouncing is more equal during play, and more one-sided when fighting. Vocalization – play usually doesn’t involve any aggressive vocalizations often seen before or during a fight, such as hissing, growling or yowling. A common problem with distinguishing playing from fighting is that it can change from one to the other momentarily. One may begin to hiss, claws may come out and they may consistently run away rather than returning to the game.
Nathaniel O'Kon
2025-05-23 14:15:04
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: 19
Playing together is considered one sign of a positive relationship, but the behaviours displayed when playing can be difficult to interpret as friendly as they can be very similar to those seen when cats fight and it can be difficult to tell the difference. These behaviours include staring, pouncing and chasing, as well as grabbing, wrestling and bunny kicking with their back paws. Although the behaviours can be when fighting or playing, there are subtle differences: Intensity, play is loose and bouncy, and less tense than fighting. Claws, these are generally retracted during play and come out during a fight. Turn taking, chasing and pouncing is more equal during play, and more one-sided when fighting. Vocalisation, play usually doesn't involve any aggressive vocalisations often seen before or during a fight, such as hissing, growling or yowling. A common problem with distinguishing playing from fighting is that it can change from one to the other momentarily. One may begin to hiss, claws may come out and they may consistently run away rather than returning to the game.
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