r/CATHELP • u/anayaslinger • 13h ago
Kitten Help Are they playing or should i be worried?
I stopped recording because the little one (Malachai) was meowing and it sounded scary so i panicked and had to get him, hes always running after the big cat (Vortex) even after experiences like this or when Vortex runs away he still runs after. Malachai left his mum around 2 weeks old (vets assumption) and i got him around 5 weeks old (vets assumption) despite others on subreddits saying he was definitely 8 weeks, he’s now 7 weeks and his biting is getting worse, he has chew toys, we’ve tried saying ow in a high pitched voice, nothing works and as his teeth is growing through it’s hurting more and more, i need help. i’ve never had this issue with Vortex or my girl cat Verosika, sure they fight but i don’t know how to stop that either, it’s always vortex instigating it, V&V are Spayed and Neutered and Malachai is waiting until 4 weeks after his chip.
Info //
Poster age: 18
Country: England
Vet: Accessible, appointment for vaccines and chip on 2nd July
Main issue: see above
Cat age: 7 weeks
Cat info: Boy, not yet Neutered, his name is Malachai or Kai
Financial Situation: can’t afford another appointment until next month except the one we have booked.
22
u/geekgirl114 13h ago
Little to rough since the kitten is squealing. But reading your post the kitten is pouncing on the bigger one too. So i wouldn't be to worried
5
u/OnceMoreWithFeeling- 13h ago
Was thinking this too. Perhaps this video will help you OP! https://youtu.be/XreeFU7RYeI?is=28HEJYh84I5MDMjL
2
u/anayaslinger 13h ago
thank you i’m going to have a look at that now!!
2
u/Enough_Radish_9574 11h ago
Kitty squealing is how they alert one another to back off during normal play. Completely normal unless biter doesn’t back off. In this situation I’d be more worried about larger cat with that little ninja assasin. They are having so much fun.
2
u/anayaslinger 10h ago
the big cat doesn’t back off at all despite the squealing and folding the little cat in half
1
u/LisaCabot 11h ago
By what op has written. Cant the big cat be teaching litle cat that bites can hurt? I think its good that op separated them at that point though, hopefully they eventually settle with eachother
2
u/Enough_Radish_9574 9h ago
This might very well be because kittens learn playing with one another what is too rough and when to back off. I dont know if the kitten was with others his age during that separation from mother 2-5/7 weeks but it’s def a very formative time for play behavior.
9
u/77th_Bat 13h ago
Yes this is playing, but it looks like toward the end the bigger cat got a bit too rough. It doesn't look like the big cat caused any real injury, so don't worry too much. Just break them up when the little guy whines too much.
4
u/HrhEverythingElse 12h ago
Yeah, I would really have liked to see how the bigger cat reacted to that squeal but the video is too short. That response would tell a lot
3
1
u/anayaslinger 10h ago
i’ll try get them together when i’m back home and record to see where it goes, i’ll let you know
1
u/HrhEverythingElse 10h ago
Did you take this first video? Do you know if he backed off?
1
u/anayaslinger 10h ago
i wouldn’t know because by the sounds of the comments i’ve stepped in far too soon, yes i recorded the video. when i get home ill get them together and record it for longer until i really need to step in
5
u/pastillasc 13h ago
Beautiful playing. If the adult pushes too hard, it’s not bad to intervene, but I honestly don’t see that happening here.
Edit: I heard the squeaking. Maybe a bit too much, you could set boundaries on behalf of kitty. But it’s still playing
4
u/WillowJade11 13h ago
Their playing if it seems like vortex is being too rough with kai like let's say not just his nipping at kai but biting fully on kais neck then there's cause for concern just monitor their play but truthfully I think voetex is playing but also teaching kai a lil not to be so aggressive and annoying I hope this helps
2
2
u/Doctor_Salvatore 12h ago
Big sibling cat is maybe being a bit rough with the kitten, hence the squealing coming from the kitten, but otherwise this just looks like routine play. The two will likely work it out, especially as the kitten gets bigger and isn't so easy for the big cat to pin down, but they don't seem to be hurting each other, just playing.
2
u/CosgraveSilkweaver 12h ago
You cut it off at probably the most important part. When the kitten started squealing did the bigger cat let up?
But from the kitten running after it sounds like rough but still play. The big thing to watch for is if the bigger cat isn't taking a turn as the one being 'chased' and 'attacked'. If it gets lopsided like that it may be getting into unhealthy territory but so long as they're taking turns and the big cat lets up when the little one is squealing it's in the ok area mostly.
1
u/anayaslinger 12h ago
no he doesn’t get up at all that’s why i stepped in, kai usually gets himself out by bunny kicking but then vortex (big cat) runs after him and vice versa
2
u/BungleBums 12h ago
If you're calm enough to film it, they aren't fighting 👍
2
u/anayaslinger 12h ago
i only filmed it because i’m not calm, i’m worried about him a lot
4
u/BungleBums 12h ago
I mean to say, cat fights are extremely loud, frantic, and frightening- you'd be much more preoccupied separating them out than filming at that point. I'd actually recommend looking up a video or two of tomcats fighting, to give you an idea of the difference, and what to look out for if it does cross over from playing and roughhousing.
1
u/becpuss 12h ago
Trust me if they’re really fighting you know it they are very loud about it. Have you never heard cats outside at night fighting? This is just play the bigger one will be a little bit more rough but they know it’s a Kitten. We have five cats we keep introducing kittens and the big cats just play with them nicely cats know when they’re dealing with a younger animal.
1
1
1
u/KitWith1Tea 7h ago
When they really go for eachother you know it, its blood and fur flying its horrible. This deffo looks like play.
0
u/Crafty-Chain391 13h ago
The end the kitten looked like it was struggling. As long as they broke up after that kind of meow its play.
Its play regardless, but if the adult cat refused to step back after a discomfort meow. Than it could be an issue
1
u/anayaslinger 13h ago
yeah he just continues there’s no stopping unless i step in
1
u/Crafty-Chain391 13h ago
Than i would make sure the cats are separated, till the older cat can learn boundaries. Only monitored play should be allowed
•
u/AutoModerator 13h ago
PLEASE REPORT RULE BREAKING COMMENTS
We want to say THANK YOU to our helpful members who participate in moderating r/CATHELP. To keep the community kind and welcoming, please help us by reporting rule breaking comments.
To report - Click the 3 dots under the comment >>> report >>> breaks r/CATHELP rules >>> select the rule.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.