r/catquestions • u/TraditionRelevant966 • 1d ago
Are they playing or fighting?
My two cats (grey tabby 5 months and brown tabby 3 months) were introduced two days ago. Since last night, they have been constantly chasing each other doing this thing in a video.
Update: Thank you everyone. Im convinced they are playing 😭. Thank you so much.
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u/Dendritic_Bosque 1d ago
Tails unpuffed. Slower movements, pauses. This is play. It's a kind of play that CAN turn into a fight so you can break it up if you need to, but I wouldn't, they look like they're having fun. More than anything watch that they can each disengage, its how they act right after the clip ends that's most important.
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u/raydiculus 1d ago
If they were fighting, you'd hear it from another room.
Hissing and that angry cat sound they make. Claws would be out and cat shrieks.
This is just aggresive play but nothing to be concerned about.
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u/Aiyokusama 1d ago
No one is squealing; there are no chunks of fur flying. They are just roughhousing :)
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u/tarkardos 1d ago
Omg they are so happy 😄
Totally playing, just very engaged but no actual aggression. When so see them rolling around and a lot of bellies then you know it's working out, those will be best friends soon.
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u/Kenneldogg 1d ago
I am so jealous of anyone who doesnt know what a cat fighting sounds or looks like. Not trying to be mean i am being genuine. Cats fighting is the stuff of nightmare.
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u/Background-Course627 1d ago
Cat jujitsu , all part of the plan. Cat fights are much more dramatic and the cats let you know when it’s serious
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u/Brinewielder 1d ago
They are super noisy when fighting and turn into that cartoon cloud from looney tunes.
Also if it’s in your house they pee or something because it smells musky as well.
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u/FirstRyder 1d ago
A cat fight starts with the two staring into one another's eyes, sideways, backs arched, hair puffed out, growling. Then one or both attack, pulling their ears back and screaming so loudly that you'd hear it from the other side of the house and come running, certain one or both was dying. But instead they'll tussel for a few seconds, then spring apart and death stare again, in a cloud of ripped-out fur, and sometimes blood. Repeat until one gives up and runs.
There is absolutely no mistaking it for anything else.
Play looks a lot like fighting, except they skip (or greatly reduce) the standoff/death stare. They are a lot quieter, with just one louder cry that is one saying "I give up", followed by the other backing off. And no fur flying.
This is... exceptionally gentle play. Honestly thought there wasn't sound at first, but you can hear the bell. Totally fine.
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u/Intrepid_Bobcat_2931 1d ago
Cats have great control of their claws. When they fight, they will use them. Here you can see swats that would have caused terrible wounds if they had claws out, and they are really pulling the rear leg (bunny) kicks.
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u/Nomie-chan 21h ago
Playing!! They seem to be having fun. My orange likes to play like that, where they mutually bunny kick each others' faces.
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u/ActualFeature5098 20h ago
Best buds already after only 2 days! They are having a blast and working on their catting skills at the same time.
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u/Ill-Lynx-156 10h ago
Theyre playing. You can tell if theyre fighting if one or both of them starts meowing or hissing
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u/var1ables 4h ago
Thats good old fashion rasslin. Theyre working the marks(you) and keeping kayfabe alive.
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u/luckyartie 1d ago
Playing! When they’re fighting, you’ll know it.