It’s not always easy to tell if your cats are playing or fighting because the two can look very similar. Cats chasing each other, cats hitting each other, and cats jumping on each other are all normal behaviors when playing, but can also be seen when fighting. Also, cats are known to play a bit aggressively, which can make you think that they are not having a happy interaction. The good news is that this guide will teach you how to tell if cats are playing or fighting. here’s what you need to know!
cats often play the same way they fight
Pretending to fight or play with aggression is normal behavior for cats. but it is not always easy to tell the difference between these and actual aggression. There are ways to tell if they are playing or fighting, such as body language and observing the nature of the fight. These are the signs to look out for to spot the difference between playing and fighting.
watch her body language
Body language is one of the easiest ways to tell if cats are playing or fighting. When cats are playing, you will notice that their bodies are relaxed and they take breaks during play. they also take turns during the game, letting one be the dominant one and then switching roles.
usually, play fighting is silent. but what about the hiss? hissing may be harmless in some cases. While hissing is generally considered a sign of being upset or threatened, it’s also a way cats communicate. Hissing can also be a warning sign of pain, discomfort or stress, or an indication that the game is too rough.
on the other hand, do cats growl when they play? not usually: growling is often a sign of fighting behavior. In addition, cats’ ears will stick back and their fur or tail will puff up during aggressive interactions.
signs of friendly play
- bite harmlessly
- chasing
- claws sheathed or retracted
- relaxed body language with ears pointing up
- silence
- waving tail back and forth
- ears set on top of head
- dilated pupils
- whiskers to the side
- light whistle
- puff up the fur or tail
- defensive stances
- whistle showing teeth while leaning the other way
- ears flattened or retained
- growling
- fear or defensiveness
- territorial issues
- rough play
- pain and irritability
signs of aggressive play
signs of real fighting
what about rough play between kittens?
Compared to adult cats, it’s a little harder to tell when kittens are playing fight or fighting for real. why? because kitties tend to play loud play fight, but the key word is “play”! a few hisses, growls, or whines during a kitty fight are usually not cause for concern. in most cases, you won’t find young kittens fighting aggressively with each other.
watch this video from cat expert jackson galaxy for more tips on how to tell if your kitties are playing or fighting.
what to do if your cat is playing too rough
If you’re concerned your cat will play too rough with you or other cats, training can help redirect unwanted behaviors. be patient and loving with your cats and understand that punishment will not help. Cats don’t understand punishment, so breaking the spray bottle or yelling at them can make the behavior worse. even if you simply walk away from an aggressive cat, it can trigger its hunting instincts.
give them individual space
Cats need space to claim their own territory. Place shelves, a cat pyramid, or a cat tower in multiple rooms so they have a space to relax and be alone. this will also give your cat a place for activities that will help work out any nervous energy.
offer catnip
catnip can be a good solution to help calm your feline down and control aggressive behavior. however, it is important that you only offer catnip if you know your cat responds well to it. catnip does not affect all cats in the same way and can make some cats more aggressive.
redirect their attention
When you start to notice things getting a little tense between cats, try redirecting their attention and offering stimulation away from other cats. You never want to come between aggressive cats. instead, use a laser pointer or feather wand to redirect their attention.
pheromone supplements
cat diffusers like feliway can be useful tools to signal to your cat that all is safe, calm and protected. These diffusers emit an odorless, drug-free scent that mimics a cat’s pheromones to help calm an aggressive cat. when there is tension between the cats, the pheromones will induce a calm and happy atmosphere.
reintroduce cats
If all else fails and you can’t redirect their attention with other activities, you may need to re-introduce your cats to each other. To do that, you’ll need to keep them in separate rooms, trade their scents, and feed them on opposite sides of a closed door. this helps them learn to stay calm while feeling each other out. then start giving them limited, supervised visits to teach them that the other is not a threat.
most common causes of feline aggression
feline aggression can be caused by direct interaction with another cat or human. it can also be redirected aggression from external stimuli, such as loud noises or another cat outside. Here are some of the most common causes of feline aggression:
is it normal for cats to play rough?
Play aggression is normal behavior among cats, but there is a line where pretend fights can turn into real fights. so is it normal for cats to fight? yes, but you shouldn’t allow the cats to “fight” because it will usually intensify the aggression between them. Aggression in cats is a natural behavior of the species and is a normal part of social conflict, play, and predation.
should you let your cats play fight?
again, mock fighting is normal for cats and behavior you can let them engage in. If the fighting game gets too aggressive or leads to actual fighting, you’ll want to break up the fights and redirect the behavior. to break up a cat fight, do not intervene directly, as your cats may end up scratching or biting you. instead, try to distract cats and break their concentration by making a loud noise or sudden movement.
help them get along
If you notice that your cats fight more than they play, you can try reintroducing them by following the steps listed above. make sure each cat has its own food, water, litter box, scratching post, and cat tree. try separating these items and giving them their own space. never punish them, as it would reinforce the conflict. instead, give them treats when you see them interact in the desired way.
once your cats get along better, try adding a self-cleaning litter box to help with any territorial issues that may arise from a dirty litter box.
keep cat conflicts out of the house
Keeping conflicts out of the house isn’t always easy with cats, but it’s definitely possible. While play aggression is normal, do everything you can to stop the tension between your cats before it escalates. if aggression is common, take action right away so negative behaviors don’t get worse.
Finally, it’s important that each cat has their own safe space to escape to so they can relax and de-stress, especially after a cat fight.
Help deter front-end aggression by providing your cats with their own cat furniture, such as a cat tower, cat pyramid, or shelves. this will give them the space they need away from other animals along with hiding places to relax.
cover photo by mevrouw hatseflats on unsplash
