How can I tell if my cats are just playing or actually fighting?
Nathaniel O'Kon
2025-05-23 14:15:04
Count answers: 3
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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