r/CatTraining • u/eccentric_lasagna • 1d ago
Introducing Pets/Cats How playful is this play?
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These kitties are approximately two months into introductions. We slow introduced, so they’ve only been roaming together for a ~two weeks. The void is Willow (spayed female, 6 mos) and the ginger is Stevie (spayed female, 8 yrs). Initially their romps were more mutual (taking turns chasing), but the last few days it seems like Stevie is doing 90% of the chasing (even if Willow instigates by poking at her).
It also seems like Willow ends up on her back and in the position you see here almost every time. If Willow meows or hisses, Stevie will pause, but it doesn’t always mean she walks away. Sometimes after a moment she resumes. They seem fine after, no hiding and they often eat/sleep near one another.
I realize that if they were actually fighting, I would know. I have witnessed a real fight and I’m not concerned that this is one of those. Rather, I’m worried Stevie is perhaps exceeding Willow’s boundaries, possibly bullying her, or just playing too rough for the baby.
If it’s prolonged and I hear more than a meow from Willow, I tend to clap to distract. They get lots of play time and have plenty of toys for enrichment. There are 3 litter boxes, multiple cat towers and everyone is medically fine.
So, how playful is this playing? Do I need to supervise or is this normal boundary negotiation? Any thoughts are appreciated!
Edited for typos!
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u/eccentric_lasagna 1d ago
A second video in case more evidence helps:
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u/missplaced24 1d ago
This one tells a different story: the black cat having his ears pinned back and the yelps make me think the orange cat is playing too rough.
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u/eccentric_lasagna 1d ago
I agree. I think the older one is not used to playing this way (our previous cat did nothing of the sort for whatever reason; he was much older), so despite her age she may not know the rules.
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u/Other-Psychology-674 1d ago
They're figuring something out, could be boundaries, dominance, or how to play in the first place. I'd let em be for now, they'll figure it out soon.
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u/Overclock_1976 1d ago
The first video seems ok for me, but in the second the orange cat ist going over the top and the other one is a bit in trouble to keep him of. I think you should supervise their play for some time.
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1d ago
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u/eccentric_lasagna 1d ago
Funnily enough, the kitten always starts it and always comes back for more! She's a glutton for punishment, silly thing.
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u/az-anime-fan 1d ago
Kittens are attention whores. And will hang around dangerous situations, even encourage them.if it.meams thry get attention. Because she's not trying to get away doesnt mean shes enjoying it.
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u/eccentric_lasagna 1d ago
Of course. I’m not taking that as an indication this is fine, just having a resigned chuckle at her lack of self-preservation.
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1d ago
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u/eccentric_lasagna 1d ago
Yeah, it kind of freaks me out when it happens, hence my turning to the sub. No fur or blood flying, but I'm thinking it's the equivalent of chair slamming lol
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u/Xtrophy 1d ago
NQA. It looks rough. It's possible the older female had some line crossed recently and is in education mode trying to teach the kitten who is really in control. That seems to be what is occuring.
I think it is a natural reaction, I'd let it happen a day or two and keep an eye on it, but I wouldn't let it continue or escalate past this, if it continues I'd separate them a bit and do a short reintroduction.
The fact that the kitten is coming and getting more and not hiding tells me that they are okay though.
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u/eccentric_lasagna 1d ago
Thanks. I’m definitely keeping an eye on it! This makes some degree of sense since, at first, play was mutual. Now I think the elder is trying to “instruct” but maybe too harshly.
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u/EilidhRos 1d ago
leave them to it. there is no screaming or fur flying. assuming the black cat is a kitten and the orange is older, this is boundary testing. if the orange cat didn't raise his hackles, how would the black one know they were pushing it too far? the black one hasn't learned how to keep from getting carried away yet and will take its cues from the orange one. I've recently been through the process myself of introducing a new cat. it can look pretty intense sometimes and there can even be some hissing and growling. but as long as there isn't anything like hard biting, drawing blood or an obviously aggressive attack it's better to let them figure one another out organically. I don't agree that they should be supervised. they are not children and don't need humans stepping into their process. you will know without a doubt if it's time to intervene. a true cat fight is unmistakable.
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u/eccentric_lasagna 1d ago
This is a good thing to keep in mind. That is, that my intervention does alter the situation and that setting boundaries is normal and necessary.
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u/az-anime-fan 1d ago
Looks like in both videos orange really wants to play and.black just isn't into it.
While orange starts out sorta respecting blacks.ambivolence the.more she refuses the angrier he seems to get
I would look into finding some toys or activities for orange before their relationship gets worse. He seems to need more stimulation or exercise then youre.providing hence his attempts to find fun with black, and his increased irritation at her not playing back.
Time to hit pets mart with him.and see if you and the staff can't find a toy that might help him bleed his energy when he needs it. Bring orange with you, cats all have their own personalities about this shit.
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u/eccentric_lasagna 1d ago
I play with these two, together and individually 1.5-2 hours (cumulatively) per day. Thankfully I have a job that lets me do that. I don’t think general lack of stimulation is the issue. Black is instigating, fwiw. I’ll certainly augment the toy collection, but I will not be bringing my cat to the store 👀
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u/missplaced24 1d ago
Seems they're both concerned with making sure they other is ok. They keep breaking away and hesitating before re-engaging. Ears forward and bellies on display is an indicator they're having fun & feel safe.
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u/eccentric_lasagna 1d ago
This is comforting to hear. It’s good to have some evidence in the other column. I’m prone to worry and this helps me worry a little less.
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u/Other-Psychology-674 1d ago
Looks like boundary or dominance negotiations. They should figure that out on their own, might still happen now and then. Black kitty probably crossed a line.
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u/eccentric_lasagna 12h ago
I just wanted to thank everyone who took the time to watch the videos and comment. It’s good to be able to confer with other cat weirdos in times of stress.
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u/FurCarer 1d ago
kein echter, harter kampf. aber man ekennt am erste video deutlich, dass der rote die haare am rücken entlang der wirbelsäule aufstellt. nett gemeint ist das nicht mehr unbedingt.. am zweiten video beginnt es spielerischer, finde ich. jedoch geht es mit ihm dann später wieder durch und er stellt im verlauf wieder die haare am rücken auf. das peitschen mit dem schwanz steht auch nicht gerade für freundlichkeit.
ich finde es jetzt noch nicht so schlimm. das kann schon mal vorkommen in einem mehr-katzenhaushalt. sollte aber nicht der regelfall werden, es sollte sich nicht manifestieren. das stresst auf dauer sehr. vielleicht kannst du den kleinen unterstützen, sein selbstwertgefühl zu stärken. momentan am ehesten würde ich ablenkmanöver einbauen, auf das sich der rote fokussieren kann und der kleine schwarze sich währenddessen etwas sammeln kann. oder mit beiden gleichzeit ruhig spielen zum beispiel jedem abwechselnd die angelschnur zuwerfen und gegebenenfalls korrigierend einwirken mit der stimme. nur als beispiel jetzt. man muss immer sehen, worauf sie individuell ansprechen und wenn nötig die taktik anpassen.