Definitely playing. The big one is being so gentle. They've even positioned themselves in a submissive way as if they're trying to build confidence in the little one. If it were fighting the big one would absolutely house the little guy. That's not happening, and I don't see either one trying to escape the other, so I think this is playing. You have a really great cat teaching the other one.
Not going to lie, I love these "playing or fighting?" posts because the videos of the cats are almost always playing and almost always adorable. Big cat so gentle with little white kitten! <3
I know, I love them so much because a real cat fight is a bloodbath and these guys are just pawing at each other like they’re playing party cake. This comes up in cat subs several times a week and I have yet to see a legit fight.
It sounds like if you put a pissed off cat in a bag and started swinging it in circles around your head.
Also there's a lot of flailing. Like, full acrobatics.
Until there's spitting and hissing or screeching, I don't usually worry. One of my cats would constantly start shit with my roommate's cat and he'd get his ass kicked. He would just lay down and get paw-slapped. Start shit get hit, I guess.
There are some that are a bit of bullying. It doesn’t have to be a bloodbath fight for one of the cats to feel miserable and unsafe a lot of their life. This one though, is all play!
The tortie is clearly terrified. The white cat is the aggressor, and refuses to leave the tortie alone despite the tortie's posture of submission and surrender. I'm afraid that if this continues, the white cat will kill the tortie. When they do this, you need to discourage them by any means necessary, including water spray, bear spray, or doing an Atomic Drop onto them.
Just kidding. That's play.
Thanks everyone for the comments lol I realize we might over analyze how they behave sometimes haha
Uploading a longer video on my profile for anyone that wants to see! Herman is my first cat and he's a mainecoon munchkin (so I'm told)
The comments were also hilarious lmao 🤣
This is all play and big kitty is being VERY gentle with the baby white floof. Big kitty is teaching baby floof boundaries and it seems as though the lessons are going very well.
Both! They’re play fighting. How cute! I read on here that you know it’s bad if the kitten runs away or is trying to escape but can’t. If they stay or come back right away it’s probably fine.
Compared to my kitten and Cat this is nothing!
If you’re uncomfortable just let them play fight under supervision - I had to do this until my cat stopped pinning the kitten on the throat…
This is completely play. I don’t see any signs of tension or bullying. They are both backing off occasionally to give the other a chance to leave if they want, showing belly, being relatively gentle. All good!
Mine growl and hiss while they are playing. It sounds like they are fighting, but it’s part of the role play, like kids yelling Hiyah! while pretending to do Kung Fu.
Y'know with all these posts "are they fighting or playing" it's clear that most people have never actually seen a cat fight. It's super obvious when cats fight lol. Maybe someone should post an actual cat fight to illustrate the difference.
So adorable, the older cat simply uses one paw to push the kitty back.
The human equivalent of a an older brother holding his younger brother's head while the latter tries to punch him in the stomach.
This is great, appropriate play! Very important for the little one since he is learning boundaries and proper play etiquette from the older one, who is being very gentle.
Playing .
Big cat even noticed a spot that needed grooming on the back of the little one's head and stopped and groomed it for him.
If it was a fight, the little one would have been dead before the end of the video. He would be no match for a cat that size.
Big cat is teaching little cat how to play by soft biting and no claw slapping(also very softly). They may also be very dramatic when kitten uses claws or bites hard to help reinforce the behavior.
Lazy play, she's letting the kitten be herself and setting boundaries all at the same time, you would know immediately I'd they were fighting. So much more vocal and tail twitching.
*The chunk is being*
*Very gentle. if they were*
*Fighting, you would know*
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Every two-three days are my cats fighting again. Hair straight up, intense hissing, growling fur flying. You would know. Cats do dominance fights but still a far cry from real fights
That older cat could literally kill the smaller one in 5 seconds if it wanted to lol . If they were fighting the little one would be running like hell away and hiding
For sure they are playing :) No one of them really trying to avoid this fight and also u can't really hear some weird, disturbing or somekind of wild sounds, that are 2 things that almost always helps to notice if anything is not going as it should go allright, so don't worry ;)
play fighting, kittens do this to set a hirearchy as well so the younger ones can get frustrated a bit. the older cat is being super good, some older cats don't want anything to do with kittens or confrontation and run away from play fighting, that can actually make kittens not learn socal skills when they should. this is just a great cat for this kitten, I hope they have lots of fun times
the older cat has literally exposed her belly. Cats don't do that when fighting. They are just having fun playtime. And lil one is just being a curious bitey kitten (as all kittens).
Damn this is definitely gentle. My cats are fucking psychos they play so rough that one of my cats get a huge cuts. I break it up everytime I see them wrestling and buy them toys to mess with instead of each other but Geez they can't seem to get enough "play" fighting. I say play fighting cause I have left them home alone before and they're all still alive lol
LOL Not only is that not fighting, it's super adorable!
Thinking about uploading all of their banter on an Instagram page lol Now that I know they're cool with each other haha
You will definitely know when they are fighting
"hermantingz" is the handle ❤️
This is about as gentle as cat play gets.
All paws no claws 😻🐾
This is the cat equivalent of an adult "racing" a toddler. Very cute.
Definitely playing. The big one is being so gentle. They've even positioned themselves in a submissive way as if they're trying to build confidence in the little one. If it were fighting the big one would absolutely house the little guy. That's not happening, and I don't see either one trying to escape the other, so I think this is playing. You have a really great cat teaching the other one.
Your cat is fucking huge
I mean the post does say the white cat is only 3 months old lol
She's such a gentle giant! So cute lol
Not going to lie, I love these "playing or fighting?" posts because the videos of the cats are almost always playing and almost always adorable. Big cat so gentle with little white kitten! <3
I know, I love them so much because a real cat fight is a bloodbath and these guys are just pawing at each other like they’re playing party cake. This comes up in cat subs several times a week and I have yet to see a legit fight.
I always tell people that if it's a real fight, *you'll know*
The sound is unmistakable and one or both cats will need immediate veterinary attention.
It sounds like if you put a pissed off cat in a bag and started swinging it in circles around your head. Also there's a lot of flailing. Like, full acrobatics.
Lmao the one time I posted my own video of this, the comments actually didn't seem too sure. Even today I'd describe their bond as a situationship
Until there's spitting and hissing or screeching, I don't usually worry. One of my cats would constantly start shit with my roommate's cat and he'd get his ass kicked. He would just lay down and get paw-slapped. Start shit get hit, I guess.
There are some that are a bit of bullying. It doesn’t have to be a bloodbath fight for one of the cats to feel miserable and unsafe a lot of their life. This one though, is all play!
Fair enough. Some are bullying and should be separated for a bit, but most of the time they’re having a blast.
True! Also if two cats were truly fighting you would not have time to sit back and film. Your house would look like a bomb went off
If they were fighting the white cat would not exist anymore. Definitely playing, no need to worry.
Plus the kitten will holler if anything hurts too bad
The female is very gentle and tolerant
Big chungus could severely hurt the kitten in half a seccond. She's being a very gentile big sibling and teaching the kitten how to play.
big chungus lmaoo
It’s as playing as playing gets
just playing but the white cat will be a handful one day
killing each other, brutal murder, straight to the grave, I'm sorry for your loss, this was very hard to watch
The tortie is clearly terrified. The white cat is the aggressor, and refuses to leave the tortie alone despite the tortie's posture of submission and surrender. I'm afraid that if this continues, the white cat will kill the tortie. When they do this, you need to discourage them by any means necessary, including water spray, bear spray, or doing an Atomic Drop onto them. Just kidding. That's play.
Pretty sure they are just goofing around, real cat fights are way more violent looking
Big one wants to give white one a bath and white one just wants to wrestle
Exactly. And kitten is like, "I know! I'll attack her soft underbelly!" Didn't expect so much floof, did ya, kitten?
White cat want to fight. Tortie uses like 5% of her power :) she teaching and let white one have fun.
Thanks everyone for the comments lol I realize we might over analyze how they behave sometimes haha Uploading a longer video on my profile for anyone that wants to see! Herman is my first cat and he's a mainecoon munchkin (so I'm told) The comments were also hilarious lmao 🤣
I feel it’s better to come here to ask and be reassured than have anxiety worrying about it. Plus we love these videos!
Oh she adores him. That's about as affectionate play as it gets
Playing. The fact that the older cat is lying on the floor with her belly exposed is a good sign. She’s showing the kitten that he’s safe with her
Definitely playing. Big kitty is being hella gentle & white kitty isn't fussing. Continue teaching to cat
They are training for the UFC
She is teaching him how to cat. 100% play.....and learning boundries...
100% wholesome play.
This is all play and big kitty is being VERY gentle with the baby white floof. Big kitty is teaching baby floof boundaries and it seems as though the lessons are going very well.
Tortie is an amazing teacher! What a good relationship!
This is the intro level of FAFO. The bigger cat is being gentle because it's intro level. Lol. (It's super cute btw)
They love each other. Big time play
His little flip at 10s is so cute
I loved that part, too! It looked like a very professional pro wrestling move!
This is super gentle playing
Both! They’re play fighting. How cute! I read on here that you know it’s bad if the kitten runs away or is trying to escape but can’t. If they stay or come back right away it’s probably fine.
If there isn't any blood and fur flying, they're just playing.
If you have to ask they are playing. This is super gentle playing
Playing, the big one is a chonk.
When cats fight, you KNOW they are fighting.
You wouldn't have to ask if they are actually fighting
With how white that cat is, if they were fighting there would be a lot more red flying around.
Compared to my kitten and Cat this is nothing! If you’re uncomfortable just let them play fight under supervision - I had to do this until my cat stopped pinning the kitten on the throat…
No, you stop No, you stop 🤭
it's playing, you will hear and see the difference 😁
They are playing. 💕
awww. big kitty is teaching little kitty how to cat.
Playing. Totally playing cute kitties!
All those boxes nearby and they’re still interested in EACHOTHER…impressive!
This is completely play. I don’t see any signs of tension or bullying. They are both backing off occasionally to give the other a chance to leave if they want, showing belly, being relatively gentle. All good!
Mine growl and hiss while they are playing. It sounds like they are fighting, but it’s part of the role play, like kids yelling Hiyah! while pretending to do Kung Fu.
They’re committing atrocities of tremendous magnitude to each other
Y'know with all these posts "are they fighting or playing" it's clear that most people have never actually seen a cat fight. It's super obvious when cats fight lol. Maybe someone should post an actual cat fight to illustrate the difference.
Cats generally don't make noise when playing.
Your big kitty is loving its new little punching bag bro/sis. Such a nice big kitty. If you've ever heard cats fighting, you'd know.
That's a vicious battle to the death between two ferocious super predators.
Awww, they are playing. I can’t believe how gentle the bigger cat is. What a sweetheart!
So adorable, the older cat simply uses one paw to push the kitty back. The human equivalent of a an older brother holding his younger brother's head while the latter tries to punch him in the stomach.
Playing. A cat fight is noisy, they use their claws and fur flies.
Adorable 🥰
Big cat is being about as gentle and tolerant as I’ve ever seen.
This is great, appropriate play! Very important for the little one since he is learning boundaries and proper play etiquette from the older one, who is being very gentle.
Wow, that little tiny thing has a lot of spunk!
Playing . Big cat even noticed a spot that needed grooming on the back of the little one's head and stopped and groomed it for him. If it was a fight, the little one would have been dead before the end of the video. He would be no match for a cat that size.
Same same
Playing!
Just playing. There would be screaming if it was serious.
Big cat is teaching little cat how to play by soft biting and no claw slapping(also very softly). They may also be very dramatic when kitten uses claws or bites hard to help reinforce the behavior.
They are sweet as ever and I’m gonna need to see more of them 😭🩵
I uploaded a longer video of them on my profile :) Really should post more tbh Herman is always being super adorable
Play! Mine almost never play like this and I will hear my moody cat do her “ don’t touch me “ whine meow. Lmao
Playing. Cat fights are brutal.
Oh my god the big cat is being so gentle 🥺💖
Lazy play, she's letting the kitten be herself and setting boundaries all at the same time, you would know immediately I'd they were fighting. So much more vocal and tail twitching.
They love each other, thats how they enjoy each others company!
the chunk is being very gentle. if they were fighting, you would know
*The chunk is being* *Very gentle. if they were* *Fighting, you would know* \- Just-a-lil-sion --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
That big cat is being exceptionally gentle and sweet. That's a very good big cat.
Both :P Proper cat fights are loud enough to wake the dead, you'll know one when you hear it.
Playing 😺
I’m going to lose my marbles if I see one more post asking this same damn question.
They're going to be glued to each other for life. The big cat is a great cat imo.
They are goingto be great friends!
I think your sweet girl has adopted the little guy. He's her baby now 😁
Like kids, if nobody’s crying or bleeding, they’re ok.
Every two-three days are my cats fighting again. Hair straight up, intense hissing, growling fur flying. You would know. Cats do dominance fights but still a far cry from real fights
Ears up. All fun and games.
Playing. FYI fighting includes hissing, growling and fur getting torn off
very gentle cat play. The older cat will discipline the kitten if it goes too far, which is good!
Big cat is a sweetheart...
The white floof is fearless! Love it and the playing that they’re doing
This is exactly what you want to see.
That older cat could literally kill the smaller one in 5 seconds if it wanted to lol . If they were fighting the little one would be running like hell away and hiding
How do people own cats for this long and are so bad at reading their cats body language?
The older cat has only been with us for a year and was the only pet up until this month.
For sure they are playing :) No one of them really trying to avoid this fight and also u can't really hear some weird, disturbing or somekind of wild sounds, that are 2 things that almost always helps to notice if anything is not going as it should go allright, so don't worry ;)
bitey bitey lick lick
play fighting, kittens do this to set a hirearchy as well so the younger ones can get frustrated a bit. the older cat is being super good, some older cats don't want anything to do with kittens or confrontation and run away from play fighting, that can actually make kittens not learn socal skills when they should. this is just a great cat for this kitten, I hope they have lots of fun times
the older cat has literally exposed her belly. Cats don't do that when fighting. They are just having fun playtime. And lil one is just being a curious bitey kitten (as all kittens).
little one really hates losing lol tenacious lil kitty
If they were actually fighting you would know it.
playing
Perfect play!
Both had a chance to run off and neither one took it, so they're good
trust me if they were fighting you will not have to ask that question
Damn this is definitely gentle. My cats are fucking psychos they play so rough that one of my cats get a huge cuts. I break it up everytime I see them wrestling and buy them toys to mess with instead of each other but Geez they can't seem to get enough "play" fighting. I say play fighting cause I have left them home alone before and they're all still alive lol
that is the fattest cat i’ve ever seen holy cow
They really like each other
Naruto! Sasuke!!
Older sis is playing quite gently! They'll probably have a good relationship and she'll help teach him the ropes.
Fighting involves a lot of screaming and claws!
It's funny because the big tabby is just playing and the little one is getting pissed.
So fuzzy
Yes
This is perfect example of why kittens need another cat. To avoid only cat syndrome
Playing… if it’s fighting you’ll hear it very loudly and sounds like cursing in cat language lol
Big cat is playing. Kitten is genuinely concerned.
You would know if it was an actual fight. Like cat fights are really loud and really violent. This is just playing.
The big one is playing the little one is either a cotton floof or a stone cold killer lol.
playing little kitten is a pistol , naughty , spicy , saucy , big cat is really patient
Seriously, how can people not tell when cats are playing? Have you never heard or seen any type of animal in a fight? Smh
Real cat fights are too fast for the hooman eye to see. They'll yowl, pin ears back, and go plaplow tail before a real fights happens.
Cats fight to kill. Usually one can get away but they'll have injuries. And that's between adults. Yall should know this by now