Are My Cats Playing Or Fighting?

Have you ever seen cats engaged in what looked like combat? Where they really fighting? Sometimes, it's not always possible to distinguish playing from fighting. It may be important to observe behaviors before and after such a bout to determine if it was play or something more aggressive. I trust that you'll find the following article useful in determining whether it's playing or fighting. Enjoy :)

Cat Playing or Fighting

by Tony Robinson

With multi, cats can play rough. Outdoor cats that stay outside or can go outside will also play rough with other cats. Biting your ankles or arms can be play for your cat. Cats that have extra energy to play and have difficulty finding ways to release their energy can be a very playful cat.
What is the difference in playing and fighting with the cats?
Cats that are not familiar with each other can be fighting and not playing. Dominant of one cat to another, screaming, hissing continuously during what looks like the playing are signs of fighting. In addition, if a cat gets hurt, this is a signs cats are not playing. This is a sign of your cats are really fighting. This is important to learn and get additional information about especially if your cat is an outdoors cat and encounters another cat. You will be able to tell if fighting or playing is going on. Leaving your cat outside and not know the playing for fighting can have effects on your cats behaviors and stability for going outside again.
Distraction is the best way to separate fighting cats. With any type of interfering can cause pain to both you and the cats. Make a loud noise, firm voice, cats do not like loud noises this is a good way. Have spray bottles handy to use. Cats do not like to be sprayed with water and this will stop them. Once they have stop immediately separate the cats with close doors so they are not able to see each other. This aggression will need to be dealt with carefully. Allowing cats to continue to fight will end up with a cat being hurt and with fighting; this could cause diseases in the cats. This will become expensive with having to take the cat to the veterinarian for medication and some time stays at the vets for care and treatment.
Cat play is a natural for a cat and you should not interfere with the playing. Exposing other actives for the cats can help with the playing, when the playing seem to get to intense. Have plenty of toys for the cats to play with, their own scratch post, or their own area to play in.
With multi cats in a home, you will want to create an environment for each cat to have a place to feel comfortable. Some cats are able to adapt to other cats in the home and share. With different breeds and natures of the cat, will also depend on the cats being able to share one area. There are cat breeds that are just naturally a single pet and will not fit in the home with the presents of other cats or dogs around. These types of cats will have high stress and quick aggression towards other cats. You can get more information on the type of breeds that will live together and those that need their space. There are plenty of books and internet sites for you to check out.
Hitting your cats will not accomplish any thing; this will make your cat fear you, as this will lead to no communication with your cat. Training will be impossible, as communication is the most important thing when training your cat. Physical punishment to any animal is never a good thing to any animal. Remember your cat is a companion and a friend. We, as humans, would never physical or mentally hurt our love ones or friends.
Remember if the cats are not fighting and are just playing with each other, this is a sign of good communication with each other. Allowing the communication to continue will help the relationship with the cats and with you. Communication is a great tool when trying to train your cat.

Tony Robinson is a webmaster, international author and cat lover. Visit his website at http://www.officialcats.com