Expert: Dear Tabbi - 6/9/2008

Question
I just adopted two 8 month old cats from the shelter about 3 weeks ago. Both are spade females but one is bigger and more aggressive.  At first they seemed kind of unsure about each other but eventually they started sleeping together and cleaning each other.  So I thought everything was going alright until one day I noticed the small one had a big scratch on her head.  I thought maybe its just an accident and clipped both their claws.  After that I'd sit and watch them to see if they had been fighting or just playing. I noticed when they played that the smaller one would lay on her side and make this kind of very quiet hiss like growl.  Almost like a heavy breathing sound.  Usually the larger cat would stop and walk away, usually.  Then the smaller cat would either pounce or run away.  And they'd continue playing and they'd like to bit at each others necks.  After a while they'd get rougher and the smaller cat would seem to want to get away but the larger cat would keep advancing even when she tried to run, even when she'd hiss or growl.  Just a couple days ago I noticed that the smaller cat had been clawed in the eye and it had punctured the eye.  Two injures in less then 3 weeks makes me question if they are really playing.  I keep them separated now because the poor little cat is on some medicine and is seeing a vet eye specialist tomorrow.  Her eye now looks red and cloudy where she was scratched. So its pretty bad. I want to do whats best for the cats, I need to know if I should just declaw them and keep them both or send one to a new home?  Thanks for the help!

Answer
Annie,

No, DO NOT get the cats de-clawed! That causes pain, agony, and  problems emotionally and physically that could last a lifetime.

I'm sorry about your kitty's eye. With all the cats I've had all my life, I've never had that happen. I've had scratches near the eye, but never the eye itself. It must have been a freak accident.

What looks like rough play to us is not to cats. But also, a bigger cat doesn't realize that it IS bigger and can be quite rough, and the smaller cat goes from being playful to being traumatized, especially if it can't get away. A lot depends on the breeding, background, and experiences the cats have had. Some are naturally more agressive, especially if they had a feral or wild cat for a parent. The bigger cat could be going from playing to being aggressive from an emotional problem. Watch to see if her tail starts flicking or if she pins her ears back...then she's not playing anymore.

I would see if the shelter would exchange the bigger kitty for a more timid, smaller cat about the same age. Try to match the temperments and personalities as close as you can. The bigger cat would do better in a home with a more aggressive cat to play with. Cats DO need a playmate and a friend for company, but not one that scares them by being too rough.

When the bigger cat gets wound up, try to distract her with a Pet Laser Light, a shoestring, etc. to burn up some of her energy. Try food too. I would let the cats be together, but supervised. Start petting or distracting the bigger cat if things get rough so the little one can get away and rest. Don't scold the bigger cat because she is not being a bad kitty, just over zealous. Try to find things that will burn up energy that the cats can do together without focusing on each other only for play. After playing and a big meal they should lay down with each other and be content. It's just playtime you need to watch out for and run interferance.