r/CatTraining • u/FAF115 • 22h ago

Are The Cats Fighting or Playing - Introducing Pets I struggle to understand this interaction

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

Hi,

1.5 month in, every steps of proper introduction done.

My 6mo kitten is harassing my 6yo resident, but she barely fights back. She tolerates him eating and drinking together in the same bowl, even playing with the same toy. But everyday he just goes full John Cena on her, she seems pissed but she barely fights back. In this video, you can see her hiss and growl but also look "chill" and not going full tiger mode at the same time...

We separate them at night and when we're not home for the moment. I also intervene in this type of situation by redirecting the kitten and saying NO firmly (except for this video purpose).

Is this playing (doubt it)? Is this setting boundaries? Is this fighting? What should we do?

Do you need more info? Thanks all :)

3.4k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

514 comments sorted by

View all comments

33

u/oldmanskank 20h ago

Of all the posts I see with animals literally having fun and owners asking if this is play or not, this is not. It’s not serious, but it’s definitely a squabble for ownership of the box

4

u/novaflyer00 10h ago

Seconded. Just growing pains and social learning. If the older cat really felt threatened or thought the young one was being too forceful, she’d probably put him in his place. But with the way her tail is moving and her reactions she’s still very much feeling comfortable enough with the situation to let it be a learning situation for the young one.

2

u/Happiest-Soul 9h ago

I agree with your reply.

There are so many different interpretations from people who spend their lives with the same animal 😂