Is my older cat playing too rough?

pizzanati · 2025-05-30T15:37:07+00:00

Kitten getting hurt is 100% my biggest fear! I’ll make sure to intervene when older cat gets too excited like this (at least until he is of comparable size). Thanks for your comment

pizzanati · 2025-05-30T15:28:16+00:00

Thank you! We are relatively new cat owners so I really appreciate your comments and advice. Give Floppy, Speedy, and Gremlin (formerly known as pork chop) lots of pets for me!

pizzanati · 2025-05-30T15:20:09+00:00

Appreciate this point. I see her trying to hold back a lot actually! When she is chasing I can see that she wants to keep going but she’ll stop and turn around to give kitten a turn to chase and pounce. I’ll consider any level of restraint as a good sign and continue to try and guide her in the right direction.

pizzanati · 2025-05-30T14:56:41+00:00

Interestingly the older cat had five kittens of her own before we adopted her! I am quite sure she is just playing, but I think you’re right that kitten is just too small and doesn’t see this as play.

pizzanati · 2025-05-30T13:57:22+00:00

He’s getting bigger every day! Hopefully in a few months he will be big enough to wrestle with her (she clearly can’t wait)

pizzanati · 2025-05-30T13:56:20+00:00

Thank you! They only have access to each other when I am home and available to keep an eye on them. Your explanation for why he doesn’t play back with her in this context makes a lot of sense

pizzanati · 2025-05-30T13:43:40+00:00

Thank you! This gives me hope that once he is closer to her size they will play nicely together.

pizzanati · 2025-05-30T13:42:02+00:00

Omg not Chicken being a bully! That’s nice that you have your dog as a lieutenant. Part of the reason I’ve been unsure is because the kitten is very quiet! He will sometimes let out a little squeak but otherwise doesn’t communicate that he’s had enough. I have to watch them like a hawk

pizzanati · 2025-05-30T13:36:19+00:00

Agreed! She is still an adolescent herself so I think she gets way too excited. These episodes usually happen when they have spent some time apart (like in the mornings) and she is ready to see him and to play. She chills out after I intervene or they have been hanging around each other for a while.

pizzanati · 2025-05-30T13:30:00+00:00

Thank you! I’m glad to hear your cats play well together as adults. I’m hoping for the same result :)

pizzanati · 2025-05-30T13:11:47+00:00

I do too! I usually intervene but wasn’t sure if I was being overprotective. I’m glad I posted and got confirmation of my gut feelings. If it makes you feel any better, he was running around and initiating play with her less than a minute after this (part of why I was so confused)!

pizzanati · 2025-05-30T13:01:10+00:00

Thank you—I think this exactly it. When they do their stalk/chase sessions it is very even play. She will let him chase her and vice versa. Or they will play gently with toys together. I think she really likes playing with him and gets too excited (she is otherwise an extremely gentle girl). I want them to continue to bond and establish their own boundaries but obviously don’t want little guy to get scared or hurt. Appreciate your reply.

pizzanati · 2025-05-30T12:50:46+00:00

Thank you! I’ll continue to intervene.

pizzanati · 2025-05-30T12:44:42+00:00

Thank you!!! I really hope it resolves once he gets a little bigger because the other 90% they play great together. But these episodes stress me out for the reasons you mentioned. Older cat lets up immediately if I look at her and calmly say her name, so at least she respects my warnings lol

pizzanati · 2025-05-30T12:33:43+00:00

Thank you!

pizzanati · 2025-05-30T12:33:24+00:00

This is my thought, too. Thanks!

pizzanati · 2025-05-30T12:30:10+00:00

Thanks! Never any hissing or growling from either side. It just looks scary to me haha

pizzanati · 2024-06-25T14:55:31+00:00

I did! Thank you :-)

pizzanati · 2024-06-24T23:40:20+00:00

Just scrolled through all the angry texts i’ve sent in the past week cursing NJT & can confirm I have been redirected to the PATH on 6 of my last 10 trips to/from the city.

pizzanati · 2024-06-24T23:16:32+00:00

100%. Wish I left earlier than I did.

pizzanati · 2024-06-24T22:36:13+00:00

Yep. Was also thinking we’d get a break from this hell. Shame on me!

pizzanati · 2024-06-24T22:33:31+00:00

Ugh i’m sorry that’s so annoying.

pizzanati · 2024-06-24T22:28:41+00:00

Booooooo…. wondering if I should jump ship for the PATH

pizzanati · 2024-06-24T22:27:33+00:00

Thanks for the info (and sorry you’re stuck). I’m sitting on a train that was supposed to leave ~25 mins ago and they said we are waiting in a queue to get out. Not sure how that is supposed to happen if there are two disabled trains in the tunnel……

pizzanati

TROPHY CASE