Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Kittens playing or fighting?

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 11/26/2008


Question
I have 2 kittens, Morgan(female) and Sky(male). They are litter mates from the human society. Sky loves to pounce on and tackle Morgan and pin her to the ground. Morgon doesn;t seem to like this since she yelps and runs away. They never switch roles. Sky always chases her and stalks her but I think he's scaring Morgan more than anything. So are they playing or fighting?

Answer
Zelda,

Yes, they play rough. What looks like being rough is not really to kittens. If they eat together and cuddle together, and Morgan isn't hiding in fear, then they are getting along fine. If they are 3 months old at least I would think about getting them fixed if they aren't, because play can turn into sexual play at a certain age.

Kittens have a lot of energy and they play hard. It is good that you got 2 kittens. One is usually the dominant one and the other allows it. Some cats are yelpers by personality. I had one that would scream bloody murder if a cat looked like she was going to tackle her, but she always came back for more. That was just her. Kittens also yelp to let the other cat know he is biting too hard. That is 'kitty communication' and how they learn.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

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Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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