How do i know for sure that my cats are playing and not fighting ?

Question

I adopted a female cat 1 year ago (Punky), she's 7 now and I just recently adopted another cat (Drax), male and he is also 7.

Needless to say that Punky wasn't too pleased to see Drax entering the house but she is better now.

The only thing is that it looks like she is trying to pick a fight, she runs after him and even give him good boxing punches.

So, is she playing or trying to instigate a fight ?

Punky was declawed on 4 paws and Drax on his front paws.

There is no hissing or growling on both sides.

Answer 1

I have 3 cats! They love each other and play with each other all the time. They usually start off playing a sneaky chase game and then roll around on the floor; but as soon as the ears are down and the tail is fuller you know that they have had enough of play time!

Answer 2

It can be hard to tell. I have two cats and they will pin each other down and wrestle and even bite each other but they are just playing. They do not growl, hiss, and are not uncomfortable being around each other all the time. But about a year ago we fostered a cat for a while and thought she was just playing with our cats. It turns out she was really being mean. After about a day we realized that she was growling and when she was smacking she was using her claws. She would not just sit around our cats and relax if they were anywhere in the area she would chase them. We had to give her back to the facility immediately. If you see any of that happening with your cat you might want to start figuring out how to break her of the habit. You can always consult a vet or there are usually counselors at any type of adoption facility.

I hope everything works out okay.

Answer 3

I would watch for hissing. I have three cats, and they love to "fight." The only signal I have of when it is serious is when one of them hisses. At least in the world of my cats, the hissing means "BACK OFF, I'M SERIOUS."

If they are just growling, and one is not running away from the other constantly, they are probably fine. Do they have claws? If they do and are not using them, that is a sign that they are just playing. If they don't have claws, but are swatting like they did have claws, that could also signal a real fight.

Good luck!

Answer 4

If there's no full body contact, they're just establishing the personal boundaries. Boxing punches are a test, and if the other cat hasn't screamed loud or tackled her straight on, then things are going ok and you can leave them alone to work it out between them.

Answer 5

Is she hissing or growling when she is doing it? If so then she is probably trying to instigate a fight, otherwise she is just playing with him.

Answer 6

if they start playing rough then they are fighting if not they are just playing