r/cats • u/Hablapata • 4d ago
Advice Too aggressive?
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New baby we just adopted. Last few days our big boy (~2) has been a bit wary of the kitten but they started playing yesterday, a lot of chasing. Today it seems he’s boldened up and has started playing really aggressively like this. I know cat play can look like a fight but I just worry when it’s such a kitten that our boy might accidentally hurt him.
edit: wow lots of responses. ofc i stopped the damn video to separate them when the yowling got loud at the end there, but i have a hard time telling as oftentimes normal cat play can look quite rough. the size difference is what concerned me. as far as i can tell they are still getting on just fine after some separation and some solo exercise for the big guy. just wanted to sanity check that intervening was the right thing to do at this point. thanks for all the responses!
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u/HumbleBlackCat 4d ago
When that kitten grows up he's gonna kick that orange cats butt.
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u/Ganbazuroi 3d ago
I have a kitten rn who's doing the opposite lol, he keeps going ham wild on the other, bigger cats and they're being as patient as felinely possible with him lmao
I've seen them fight some cats who broke in and they're not afraid of making them back the fuck OFF so they're basically acting like Monks near the little one to the point I'm impressed - needless to say I do separate them whenever they begin losing the plot
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u/Positive-Ring-5172 4d ago
We finally have an instance of "Yes - this is dangerous fighting, separate them!"
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u/HelenaCFH 4d ago
I'm not sure if I'd say it's actual fighting, rather play fighting that is too rough for the kitten. But that's just semantics, as the solution is correct and the same whatever it is
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u/LifeIsProbablyMadeUp 4d ago
Well. Not fighting. Orange being a bully. Baby too small to fight back.
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u/-2wenty7even- 4d ago
Yeah it feels like just an older sibling doing some hierarchy bullying, not exactly harmful, but stressful lol..
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u/tamaaromarou 4d ago
I think this is a necessary part of a kittens development I don't think the orange is bullying it. Kittens would not ally learn aggression limits from their brothers and sisters or the mom. Without this crucial learning period your cat will likely be too aggressive. But it's really dependent on the cat. My older cat would do this when my kitten wouldn't stop playing after he was done or if the kitten was biting too hard.
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u/LifeIsProbablyMadeUp 4d ago
Fair. There wasn't any context. Like. Did the kitten just bite his balls for the 10th time in the last 5 minutes? Might be deserved.
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u/kookiemaster 4d ago
It's not fighting, I think it's playing on the orange's part, but he's being too rough. Possibly because he REALLY wants to play with another cat but there is a big mismatch in size and desire to wrestle.
Sorry to be graphic but if it was a real fight the kitten would be bloody mess. You can see the "bites" from the orange clearly are mock bites.
That said, I would worry about the risk of accidental injury, not intentional one.
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u/SlideMasterFX 4d ago
He isn't even really getting those back legs going like he could. If it were just a toy, he would be doing more damage than he is. He does look irritated. But he is definitely pulling all his punches and causing no real harm.
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u/kookiemaster 4d ago
I mean my two derps go belly to belly, head to back legs and basically bunny kick each others' faces so bunny kicks can be part of play. Once the kitten has a few pounds on him, I suspect they will both have a blast.
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u/GuinnessOnDraught 4d ago
Exactly! I'd put this down as a positive experience. The Orange kitty has a new play mate and isn't being territorial, while the young kitten will learn the current hierachy.
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u/kookiemaster 4d ago
I think in a few months the kitten will be big enough to start to hold his own. I have a 7 pound male that does not hesitate to bit the back legs of my 12 pound male to initiate wrestling and who will repeatedly tackle him. His young cat energy makes up for the older guy's weight.
Suspect this will happen here as well. It just needs time and being careful right now when the two are playing together.
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u/GuinnessOnDraught 4d ago
Thats not fighting. Bunny kicking is not fighting. Maybe the play is a bit too rough for the little one but theres no hissing, biting, clawing, or fur flying in the air. OP wouldn't be asking Reddit if they were actually fighting!
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u/msft111 4d ago
Yk nothing abt cats this confirms…absolutely zero physical warnings/alerts were given in this video the screaming happens during what we see in this video called “schooling” bigger cats do this to kittens in order for them to learn how to fight aggressively if it came to it with another cat/also so the kitten knows how rough is too rough with their owner, the big cat is TEACHING…thats why big cat gives the kitten a chance to abort inbetween kicks
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u/tamaaromarou 4d ago
Yea this is correct I wish I let my big cat keep doing this to my kitten because now he bites me nonstop always trying to play. He's getting better but I wish he didn't do it at all
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u/msft111 4d ago
Not saying, you did anything wrong(bc obviously who would guess that),but that’s a big reason why a lot of peoples cats tend to scratch them more often😂…they thought the big cat was bullying the kitten and stopped the schooling lol 9/10 if there’s no aggression warnings the screaming is literally just a kitten being a baby bc it is😭
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u/hahagato 4d ago
My 2yo was biting me SO much when he wanted to play, because I was his only playmate and he didn’t understand the bites hurt. I got two kittens and the moment they got big enough and bold enough to bite him he totally stopped biting me to play!!! I know he was like “oh, that doesn’t feel good” 🤣🤣
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u/msft111 4d ago
Thats hilarious cats are so intriguing😂the way I stimulated my kitten when her mom would be too tired to deal w her was having her on her back and tickling her stomach gently but yk with the smallest amount of pressure they’ll by instinct start school fighting lol it’s so cute…
and yea it’s funny watching adult cats learn new stuff lol my fat cat learned one day fighting/kicking on his back was more productive so whenever he play fights another cat he gets into his back karate stance😂😭2
u/hahagato 4d ago
The kittens are still so small (only 4.5 months). One of them took his dominance very seriously and doesn’t mess with him or try to play with him. But her sister will jump at him and chase him. It will be interesting to see how they interact as they get closer and closer in size.
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u/tamaaromarou 4d ago
Yea I realized that later when we would yell like that when I held him too long or tried to trim his nails. He's definitely just being a whiny baby and wants to run away. If it was hurt I would describe the sound more like a screech than this.
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u/Ebullient_1972 4d ago
Yup agreed.
I’m sure most of us have been on the receiving end of a hind leg (bunny) kick from our cat - trying to get them in their carrier, in the bath, clipping their nails, etc. - that shit hurts. Notice that’s not what this orange cat is doing, they are very careful not to use their claws.
Also notice the orange cat is not really biting, they are opening their mouth and “attacking” but not biting down. This is play fighting, they’re teaching
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u/Careful-Nectarine165 3d ago
That is classic internet pseudo-behaviorist nonsense, and it’s genuinely dangerous logic.
People love to anthropomorphize and pretend an unfamiliar adult cat is acting like a wise, stern schoolteacher imparting life lessons. In reality, that is not how feline bite inhibition works.
Bite inhibition is learned through reciprocal play among littermates and mother cats during the crucial early weeks of development. When an adult cat legitimately "schools" an overstepping kitten, the correction is instantaneous and clear: a sharp hiss, a quick swat, or immediately getting up and walking away to cut off attention. A real feline boundary says, "Stop, you're annoying me." It is never a prolonged, one-sided wrestling match where the adult pins a screaming baby to the ground and ignores its distress vocalizations. That isn't teaching manners; that is predatory or territorial dominance.
The commenter claiming their cat bites because they intervened earlier is misdiagnosing their own pet's behavior. Cats develop chronic biting habits when humans use their bare hands as toys, when they lack appropriate play outlets, or when they experience "single kitten syndrome" without littermates. A kitten does not grow up to be well-adjusted by being physically overpowered and terrified and, in fact, sustained stress and trauma at that age are prime triggers for defensive fear-aggression later in life.
At only three days into an introduction, these two cats don't have a social bond, trust, or a established hierarchy. Expecting an unfamiliar two-year-old cat to magically mentor a random intruder without human oversight is a reckless gamble that puts the kitten's safety entirely on the line.
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u/Dawgy66 4d ago
Separate them immediately when they do this. The kitten is defenseless against the older cat and needs your intervention
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u/Pinksamuraiiiii 4d ago edited 4d ago
Correct, the orange tabby is way to big, and is also kicking little kitten. I agree with you, I think it’s best to separate as well. Kitten is baby, dominance is not safe this early.
Human equivalent, that’s like having a 15-16 teen, play for dominance with your 1-2 year old baby.
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u/Brilliant-Ice4177 4d ago
If the kitten wasn't crying out like that and it was more reciprocal, I would say maybe it was okay. But baby is trying to set boundaries and big kitty isn't respecting them. Separate them, gently, any time it gets like this.
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u/flowerpanda98 4d ago
it is too aggressive. the older one is holding it like prey. the kitten is crying and squealing and unable to leave. the cat doesn't care to let go. you need to intervene
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u/turtle0831 4d ago
I agree. Some people say it’s ok. But that is too rough for me. The kitten is too small to be handled like that.
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u/flowerpanda98 4d ago
yeah, and its literally crying lol. it doesnt need to happen...
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u/hahagato 4d ago
Definitely too rough. Reminds me of when my 2yo was picking his new baby sisters up. The first time I saw it I thought it was in a paternal way, til he shook her like a dead rat. Immediately put a stop to it. Had to monitor them closely and keep them separated for quite awhile when I wasn’t around because my 2yo just did not understand the kittens AT ALL. He would look at them like they were little alien rats invading his home lol
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u/Naughty_Monsters 4d ago
Yes, he's being a big orange shit. Its fine if he lets the kitten go after a second or two of a wee brawl that got out of hand, its not fine when he's holding it down for an extended time.
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u/Koala-Elk8558 4d ago
I don't know how anyone can stand there and take 12 seconds of video with those cries.
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u/No_Actuator_5149 4d ago
That's what I was thinking, my heart dropped watching it myself. I wanted to reach through the screen and grab that baby
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u/FairyOnTheLoose 4d ago
Watching on mute, and don't even have a cat yet, but I can tell it's too aggressive.
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u/Ill-Woodpecker-4695 4d ago
I literally wanted to cry because I have a kitten and an adult tabby and I couldn't imagine them like this. I'm very protective.
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u/BottomChain 4d ago
It's a legitimate question lmao. Is being condescending a required feature for Redditors?
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u/prettygirlgravesite 4d ago
if they didn’t raise the orange one from kitten age then they don’t know what’s natural and what’s not. like jesus christ guys, they def took a little too long to break them up but they didn’t know and are asking for advice.
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u/parsley248 4d ago
Please tell us you separated them? It so sad hearing little kittens shrieks, he’s too small to be playing with orange boy like this, orange doesn’t understand how small kit is and will hurt him :(
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u/Bossy_Aussie_ 4d ago
One of the first times I say this on this sub, break it up. Orange isn’t listening to the kitten’s warnings. For Orange it’s all fun and games, but the kitten is basically asking for it to stop and he isn’t listening so it needs to be corrected.
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u/figgy_squirrel 4d ago
This too rough.
They need to separated when this happens and not allowed together unsupervised.
Redirection would be a good idea too. Laser pen, feather wand, etc. Encouragr playing together not wrestling when the kitten is so young and clearly is not enjoying itself.
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u/Mini_Godzilla 4d ago
Oh Boy! The little one is crying for help and is absolutely defenseless against the big one. The two must be separated immediately. It is advisable to calmly and firmly put the larger cat in one room and the smaller one in another. It would be a good idea to tire the larger one out before he meets the kitten – in other words, to play with him really vigorously.
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u/Captain_Eaglefort Domestic Housecat 4d ago
The basic rule of cat fight vs cat play is respect. If one of them is TRYING to get away but the other won’t let it, that’s bullying and will likely devolve into full-fighting when the little one is big enough to defend itself. Every once in a while, my younger cat will start playing with my older cat, but not realize that the older cat gets “done” playing sooner and I have to break up bullying.
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u/Shiroiken 4d ago
It's just play, but the orange boy is too big to play right. My sister-in-law had this exact scenario, and she would have to periodically break it up, scolding the older one for being too rough. Fortunately, the kitten will grow quickly, allowing them to rough house safely.
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u/Grcdogsandcats 4d ago
Next time drop the camera and break it up. He is being a bully and too rough. He needs to learn to be gentle. Keep them separated when unattended.
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u/ambergriswoldo 4d ago
Yes - the older cat isn’t necessarily trying to hurt the kitten (as if he really wanted to then the kitten would already be injured) - but it’s definitely too rough for a little kitten.
Pace introduction to the new kitten more (separate room and supervised together time with the older cat)
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u/habibisanam 4d ago
Yea I would definitely separate them and slowly reintroduce them to each other. Limit their interactions and play time and once it gets to be too aggressive then separate them. Also, if possible, the kitten should be given a safe space for at least a week where they can be on their own when not together and unsupervised. They should feel safe in their home until the older cat can learn to accept them and play fight with less aggression
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u/Acrobatic-Flan-5085 4d ago
Yeah I would separate them and give big boy a big scolding
And also some extra affection to the little one
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u/No-Tart-1157 Orange 4d ago
I think the size and power difference between them makes this dangerous. Intervene when this happens and separate them for a little while. Play with kitten using toys to work off energy and build the baby’s confidence up. And by all means keep the big cat’s front and hind claws trimmed as short as possible in case this happens again. The kicking poses a real hazard to the kitten, especially soft parts like his belly.
They can definitely play together in the future! But now is probably not the best time while kitten is so small and the big cat is so rough
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u/MadsuTheShort 4d ago
100% a distressed cry. Me and my spouse got a kitten recently and had one of the older boys play like this, need to separate before the kitten gets hurt for sure.
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u/WhyGirlsPreddy 4d ago
Yes. Intrinsically when one screams the other should stop to make sure the other still wants to play. You need to stop him every time the baby cries uncle so to speak.
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u/SunshineCheetos 4d ago
Yeah, that’s too rough. I had the sound up and my mama cat came running to help. Now she’s looking around for a kitten in trouble.
Don’t worry, she’s spayed now. We catnapped her and her kittens and brought them inside. All kittens were adopted and found loving homes.
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u/UnGiGi_6262 4d ago
IMO he is too aggressive at this stage. More controlled play till the baby grows some.
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u/Maccabee2 4d ago
WWKMD? What would kittens mama do? Probably bat orange bully about the head and shoulders, not hard enough to injure, but firm enough to deter him from doing that again any time soon. I use a squirt bottle of water.
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u/BluegrassBeatle 4d ago
“Too aggressive?” Nah the kitten is just crying in pain and fear to make it more immersive for big orange.
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u/Filthyknave 4d ago
I say yes. Little guy is clearly not liking it. Big guy is having a ball and not listening to little smalley. Definitely separate for play like this. You don't want their relationship to devolve.
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u/IamBeyondAwesome 4d ago
I think the orange kitty is playing and doesn't mean any harm, but the kitten is too small to be able to play as equals yet.
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u/Flight_Harbinger 4d ago
This is the first time I've ever posted here and it's been a LONG time since I owned cats but growing up but I'll never forget the sound of that last meow. That rising pitch at the end there is unmistakably "this has gone too far".
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u/Delicious_Citron5494 3d ago
The lil cat watching you film him getting bullied like "seriously bruh?" Lmfao. Do his little cries for help seem like play to you? Seriously? 💀
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u/Just_lookin_123 3d ago
Orange is not listening to the vocal cues from the little one telling him it’s too much. You could try making a couple of noisemakers that you toss nearby when he is not listening to cues that might startle him out of his zone of deaf ears play.
Do not toss at him or let him see it was you that tossed it. I foster & there has been a couple kitties that would angry stalk or ignore pleas. The noise would snap them out of it & allow a reset of their brain. Eventually did not need them.
I filled kinder egg cases with little rocks & taped them up. You could use plastic Easter eggs & do same thing.
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u/Intelligent_Bee970 4d ago
Too aggressive. Definitely need to be intervening and preventing the adult cat from those kicks.
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u/FamiliarIndustry2591 4d ago edited 4d ago
The bigger cat looks like that he is bitting really close to the eyes of the little one. I think you should Always stop any interaction in that case, even when they dont look too aggressive.
Some cats can blind others, or hurt the eyes, that will make you need to pay atlest a visit to de vet and spend some money. You should protect them in that case.
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u/TraditionPhysical603 4d ago
They are playing but Big cat is definitely taking it to far. Little cat is screaming for help and to be let go
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u/NorbytheMii 4d ago
Yeah, orange is being too rough with kitten. Not fighting, but not understanding the size, weight, and strength difference. Kitten wants out.
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u/Difficult_North_272 Orange 4d ago
The little one's noises are concerning, how early did you introduce? They prob need to be at least partially separated, or supervised for a bit longer. Maybe fine to just let them play, but split up if the older one does that again, so he learns that being too rough means playtime ends
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u/StabbyMcStabsauce 4d ago
We had a situation like this when we adopted our second kitty. When I saw it or heard it, I would break them up. Eventually Pig got bigger and started to play back, and now they're best pals. Theyre 7 and 8 now.
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u/lovepeacefakepiano 4d ago
Big cat is treating the small kitten like a Kong kickaroo.
There isn’t any element of teasing or reciprocating happening, that’s what I’d look out for. Usually with a play fight there’s pouncing back and forth, cats taking turns darting in for a small slap or throwing themselves on the ground exposing their belly, lots of running around and mutual posturing.
The way the big cat is holding the kitten with both paws - that’s how you see a cat hold a toy they’re going to town on.
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u/Trick-Increase1508 4d ago
This looks equal to how my cat attacks my forearm without even leaving a scratch. So there's probably no actual harm, at least, but the poor baby sounds pretty overwhelmed. Maybe try distracting orange boy with some kind of dangly toy when he's all hyper like this until the baby's old enough to tell him off with a good smack?
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u/Careful-Nectarine165 3d ago
What makes videos like that so alarming is predatory drift. A very young kitten’s small size, erratic scrambling, and high-pitched cries can easily trigger an adult cat’s predatory drive rather than social or maternal instincts. A two-year-old cat has the jaw strength and body weight to accidentally break a kitten's neck or cause severe internal injuries in a fraction of a second with a misplaced bite or aggressive bunny-kick
Most of the time, posts like that aren't even genuine curiosity, they are people fishing for permission to be lazy. Doing a proper, multi-week introduction with baby gates, scent swapping, and slow integration takes patience and effort. Throwing them in a room on day three and hoping someone comments "Oh, they're just working it out!" is just an excuse to avoid doing the actual work of managing two animals safely.
If one animal is cornered, crying, and clearly outmatched, you don't whip out your phone to run a poll. You separate them, put the kitten in a safe room, and do the introduction the right way. How is this not obvious?
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u/snazzydrew 3d ago
Lmao the kitten is certainly not enjoying it.
I remember when my kitten finally got big enough to fight our other cats back... They learn to stop picking on her real quick. But we did have to yell at them to stop a few times while she was growing. Cats are kinda rough with each other so your kitten is okay but it's not happy with the arrangement. 😂
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u/Possible_Sun_913 4d ago
I've owned a lot of cats.
Honestly, this doesn’t look too bad, despite what others are saying. Kittens playing will make the same amount of noise.
The adult cat does not appear to have claws out or really putting it's hind legs in aggressively. There is no biting, only mouthing.
I think the size difference makes people think its worse than it actually is. When in doubt, separate them but nothing about this video makes me think damage is being done.
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u/West-Start4069 4d ago
Yes bro, can't you tell? Do you not see the difference in sizes ? I don't mean to be rude but damn, use some common sense... Does the baby needs to write it down for you to notice he is not enjoying it?
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u/VelotikYT 4d ago
The people saying the cat is trying to hurt him- the big cat could cause far more harm far faster. But a tad aggressive play yes
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u/LevelUpEvolution 4d ago
Yes.. you’re going to have to train your big boy to play with boundaries.
I have the same issue. Our male is 3 years older and significantly bigger than his 1 year old sister. Luckily she’s a brave one and will fight back, but most of the time she runs away growling until she’s cornered.
Trim those claws.
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u/LimpCustomer4281 4d ago
Imagine your dad hugging you, but your dad is a bear and he’s tickling you a lot. Yes it’s “play” but the kitten is uncomfortable
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u/Total_Usual_84 Tortoiseshell 4d ago
you need to stop this/correct this behavior as it's overly aggressive as you think it is. if it continues, the larger cat can cause the little one an abscess infection from a bite, which can cause it to need veterinarian care/medications and depending on the severity could rack up a costly bill over time trust me, it happen to one of my fosters recently (this last Sunday) and she didn't make it in the end due to the infection getting to her heart. even with antibiotics and over 1500 usd vet bills over a period of 3 weeks.. orange cat needs to understand what "no" means or whatever "control" word you use for corrections when they do something wrong like this. that kitten is crying for help, not playing.
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u/WeeklyBook886 4d ago
Instead of just filming like an idiot for some attention and likes online, common sense would dictate for you to break it up.
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u/adameniscus 4d ago edited 4d ago
Yes, that's too rough, at least for their current size difference. If the kitten was closer in size, it might be okay. But the kitten is still so small by comparison and the adult cat is not "toning it down" enough. Some cats dial down instinctively, but other cats don't, and there's no instruction manual for it. They learn it through trial and error - and this is error. The kitten also seems genuinely terrified, helplessly pinned. I would separate them before it gets to this point. But I don't think I would correct your adult cat too harshly for this. He does look like he wants to play, is trying to play, but just doesn't realize he's being too dominant. Eventually, you do want them to play together, for the many benefits it brings. But you want them to have a positive relationship, and some trust first, before allowing play-sparring to get this rough, or the kitten is going to grow up in terror of the larger cat; or worse yet, with a deep-seated grudge. Give the kitten the chance to double (or better yet, triple) in weight before trying this again; and, in the meantime, help them build up a positive "non-sparring" dimension to their relationship.
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u/Iambeejsmit 4d ago
This happened with my cats when we got a kitten. My original cat would play too rough with him. Not out of aggression, just because he didn't know how much weaker and more fragile the kitten was. We separated them a few times, and by a week or so in the bigger cat had learned how to play gentle with him. Your cat isn't trying to hurt the little guy, but he likely doesn't know any better. Just separate them and with any luck he will figure it out pretty quick.
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u/kookiemaster 4d ago
This could become dangerous for the small kitty. Orange cat clearly wants to play but is being too rough and not respecting the obvious signals from the small kitten that this is too much and that he wants to escape. If there is nonstop chasing where one cat just wants to run away and the other one won't let it, that also not a good sign.
Though chances are, once the smaller kitty gets bigger, they will be able to play together, but for now, the orange is oranging a bit too much. Separate them if something like that happens and maybe introduce toys into joint play sessions so small kitty is not being bullied. I would also not leave them together unsupervised. Small kitty might get seriously hurt, even if the orange doesn't mean it, clearly they don't know how to tone down their play.
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u/GibMirMeinAlltagstod 4d ago
When cats play they use sounds to indicate when things have gone too far. If the aggressor doesn’t back off after a shriek or two, then it needs to be broken up. The play wasn’t entirely too rough, but social queues are not being heeded here.
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u/EnrollmentTime 4d ago
What comes around goes around. The larger cat will get old and tired while the younger cat is big, young and aggressively playful.
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u/Virus-Party 4d ago
Definitely play, and Orange is not trying to be aggressive or hurt the kitten and at present, is not actually injuring the kitten.
So that's good.
Unfortunately, Orange is too engaged in play and is NOT listening to the kitten, which is being completely overpowered and is pleading to be let go and crying out for help.
You should definitely be stepping in and admonishing Orange for not letting the kitten go. Especially when the kitten screams like it did at the end of the clip. You don't need to be overly aggressive or harsh in your admonishment, but it needs to be clear to Orange that his behaviour is not acceptable and that you are protecting the kitten.
You don't necessarily have to fully separate them at this point, but they absolutely should not be left alone together unsupervised. Them spending time together is important, but you need to be keeping an eye, or at least an ear, out whenever they are together and be ready to step in.
Kitten needs to get bigger, and Orange needs to learn to listen to back off when their playmate isn't having fun anymore.
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u/1GamingAngel 4d ago
Yeah, the big guy is just having fun, but the baby has had enough of it. Give the little one a break.
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u/2kTancre 4d ago
Some people genuinely don’t deserve animals, if you even have to ask after hearing the baby scream you must be slow in the brain
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u/mallebrok 4d ago
If mama cat had been around, the big cat would have been promptly put in it's place.
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u/Morbid187 4d ago
Yeah I think separating them at that point was a good idea. Looks like Orange isn't the best judge of how much force to use and the new kitty isn't strong enough to defend himself yet.
Probably not a reason to panic, just something to learn from. I'd say keep an eye on them and don't leave them in the same room alone for the next few months at least. As long as you are there to play referee it'll be okay.
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u/Proper_Strength4531 4d ago
That baby is too young and small to be with an adult cat in the same room. Separate them until the kitten is around 8 weeks old.
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u/All-Seasons-24-7 4d ago
I think big cat is too rough with baby . U should make them stop playing when he gets that aggressive . Maybe use a spray bottle with water & a firm voice say no or a newspaper swat
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u/Alternative-Ad6891 4d ago
Break this behaviour up immediately! This is bullying & must not be allowed to occur.
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u/thecryomancermn 4d ago
What do you to separate them if you do and they immediately go back at it and it’s the kitten picking on the older cat?
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u/Alarmed_Guarantee140 4d ago
Ooh that last yowl that cut off definitely cemented it for me. Too much. Orange cat isn’t being mean but he needs to listen.
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u/ElementFy 4d ago
Me pasa igual, yo los separo porque los más chicos terminan corriendo de él. Ahora parece que se acostumbraron, los chicos les hacen frente al más grande, pero el resultado es el mismo. Me da miedo que no controle su fuerza de mordida porque a mí me lástima cuando jugamos.
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u/Most-Cryptographer78 4d ago
My orange had the same problem when I brought home his little brother. I had to constantly break things up and the little guy had to live in my bathroom for a good month 😭 I nearly gave up, but my orange eventually chilled a bit and started cuddling with and grooming the little guy and not getting so amped up immediately.
I still have to separate them occasionally, but the little one is getting bigger, which is helping. They really enjoy playing very rough together, but my orange just still doesn't listen to his brother when it gets too be too much for him. But they mostly coexist well! They're currently both napping on the couch with me.
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u/aztec_king2511 3d ago
Pick on the big cat show him what it’s like to be powerless, jk but yeah you should get in the middle when play gets this one sided and big cat isn’t listening
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u/Crystalpluto 3d ago
I think OP has the same amount of brain cells as that orange to hear that kitten cry and think “ oh I wonder if that’s okay? I’ll post it on the Internet for people with more than brain cell to tell me.” Idiot.
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u/ThakoManic 22h ago
1) It is play for the bigger guy
2) The problem is its not play for the little guy and the big guy is ignoring the cries and such
3) Break it up and discourage this behavior in the future, The big guy can 100% hurt the smaller guy.
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u/dogscatsnscience 4d ago
I don't want my adult cats playing this hard, so I definitely don't want them doing that to a kitten.
Your are the mama time to step in, but remember that it's critical they learn to communicate not just have you break it up.
Only step in at the exact moment a useful lesson can be learned.
That being said, bear in mind that 12 seconds of video is enough for redditors to jump to conclusions but not enough to tell anyone what's going on:
Kittens will over react. Just because they're making noise doesn't mean it's a clear signal. Lots of people will freak out because they're not used to it, but if you've been around enough kittens you know there's a lot of flex.
That game just isn't fun. bunny kicks are not fun. holding a much smaller cat immobile isn't fun. Cats and dogs can have pretty aggressive play (more aggressive than this), but DOMINANT play is different. It might still just be a game, but the end result might be some unpleasant social effects you didn't want inside a home.
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u/Voidelfvettech 4d ago
It''s totally play for the big guy, but he's not listening or respecting the little one's cries. Definitely separate them and discourage this behavior in the future because if it continues the big one could hurt the little one.