Playing time is extremely important for your kittens and cats because playing is a natural habit that allows them to improve their physical coordination and problem-solving abilities.
Fighting and playing enable them to participate in species-specific activities such as stalking and hunting. If there is another cat in your house, your kitten will often practice their social skills with other cats of their own species.
If your kittens are playing and fighting so much, it is because sometimes your cats’ playing time can include simulated violence. It’s very common for kittens and young cats to participate in rough and energetic play. Many cats continue to act like kittens well into adulthood. Your cat may be doing all of this in good fun. Cats stalk, pursue, pounce, swat, kick, scratch, and bite one other. All of these things are very common in kittens, and it is nothing to be afraid of.
Your kitten might be engaged in two different kinds of play behavior: solitary and social play. The solo playing of your cats may include playing with toys, skeins of yarn, paper bags, boxes, and rolled-up paper. Social play is directed at other cats, humans, or animals.
Is It Normal for Kittens to Play Fight So Much?
Aggressive play and fighting are common and natural in your kitten’s behavior. You need to take a look at your kitten’s body movement to see whether they are really trying to enjoy or if they are trying to fight with each other. Sometimes, it is extremely difficult to know whether your kittens are playing or fighting with one another
Also, pay close attention to your kittens while they’re fighting or playing. They usually take turns when they are playing. If your kittens are fighting and creating a lot of noise, you can place a barrier between them to prevent them from fighting.
Should I Stop My Kittens From Play Fighting?
Your kittens might find playing enjoyable. It provides your kitten with beneficial exercise and allows cats to be cats. Your cat’s behavior should not be discouraged as it allows them to play if they’re just having fun.
If your cats who regularly play fight have a more aggressive episode, you should never intervene immediately. This may exacerbate your cat’s fear and lead to increasing hostility between the two of your kittens. It can increase your kitten’s fear of you as well. Instead, try diverting your kitten with their favorite food, snacks, favorite toys, or even baby talk, which works well with your cat
If you find that your kittens are trying to get in an intense or genuine fight, try clapping your hands. This can be useful in breaking your kitten apart. But, never try to intervene or stop your cat directly from doing play fighting as this can be very dangerous for them.
At What Age Do Kittens Stop Play Fighting?
It does, however, occasionally depend on the cat. Cats may be rather energetic at times. They must spend that energy in the greatest way through playing. By the age of one year, your cat might learn to control your kitten’s biting and scratching, but you must teach him. He won’t be able to figure it out on his own. You don’t want your cat to quit playing. Instead, you want him to learn to change his biting and scratching habit to something less unpleasant.
In general, between the ages of 8 and 12 months, a kitten begins to settle down a little. Between the ages of 1 and 2 years, a kitten becomes considerably calmer. These ages are simply guidelines; your cat’s hyperactivity will be determined by its surroundings and the training you provide.
Can Kittens Die When Doing Play Fight?
No, kittens do not die when doing play fights. Your kittens love playing with one other and will chase, roll about, and swat each other’s paws. They will never kill each other or die while play fighting.
Moreover, play fighting between your kittens is always frequently deafeningly quiet, with many pauses as each cat repositions itself. The bite of your cat might be mild and does not inflict pain or harm you, and the claws are typically retracted. There’s no need to end a play-fight if it’s still going strong. However, if you find your kitten hissing or shrieking, this means that the play fighting is getting out of hand and that things are becoming a bit too harsh.
However, after play fighting, your kitten will return to normal. There will be no tension between the two of your kittens. So, if your kitties are having fun with their small play battles, don’t worry.
How Do I Know When My Kittens Play Rough?
You can learn a lot from your kitten’s body language. If your cats’ ears flatten, hold their ears back, or puff up their hair or tails, they’re fighting rather than playing. Below are some of the points that you need to know if your kitten is playing rough.
Growling or hissing of your kittens
When you see your kitten play fighting, you will know that they do not make much noise. But, if you hear your kittens constantly growling or hissing at each other, then it might be possible they are fighting.
Take a close look at your kittens’ ears
You will see that normally when your kitten will play fight, they will have their ears in front or slightly backward. If you notice that your kittens’ ears are pulled back or pressed against their heads, it is clear that your kittens are fighting.
Keep an eye out for biting
During a play session, your kittens biting each other is usually minor and will not harm each other. If you observe that your kitten is biting the other one to harm, your cats are most likely fighting rather than playing.
Keep an eye on your kitten’s body posture
Your kittens’ bodies are usually positioned forward when they engage in play fighting. However, if your kittens are grasping at each other and leaning back, they may be fighting.
If your kittens are play fighting, they might jump on each other, chase each other, and even do a little hissing that may be part of both of your kitten playing and fighting. It’s pretty rare if your kitten is violent while play fighting. They even might bite each other while playing, but that would not harm them.
How To Stop My Kitten From Play Fighting?
It’s simple to teach your kitten or young adult cat that play fighting is not allowed. You can spread your kittens’ resources across the house, increase the number of food and water bowls, introduce multiple scratching posts, and buy a range of cat toys to divert your kittens if things get out of hand to decrease the stress of your kitten that may be because of the other kittens in the house.
Encourage your kittens to play together with their new toys. This is one of the most effective methods to build social bonds. Continue to employ these tactics among your kittens. The kittens should become more responsive and learn to play-fight instead of fighting for real.
All of these things would distract them, and they might stop from play fighting. Whenever your cat pounces, do not shout at them as they will start to get afraid of you. The goal is to train them rather than punish them.
Final Words
It can be really sad if you see your kittens fighting with each other while play fighting, but this behavior in your kitten is very normal, and it can be solved too. You just need to follow all of those steps that are mentioned above in this article. Also, whenever you see your kittens fighting, separate them immediately. But, do remember that these fights can easily be resolved, and it is nothing to worry about. This behavior in your cat is not a long-term issue and can be solved with care and patience.
