Cat play - what’s ok?
Red flags and green flags in cat play
This month is pet anxiety awareness month. Anxiety is different in the sense to fear as anxiety is a prolonged state of unease – it’s the feeling of worry that a bear may jump out from behind the sofa at any moment, whereas fear can be response to a specific stimuli/trigger.
If you have more than one cat, then they may play together. Sometimes play can get out of hand, and sometimes the behaviour they are displaying may not actually be play signs so here are some things to consider.
Here are red flags in play (things to worry about)
1.Are they sprinting or bundling each other?
2. Are their claws out?
3. Are you hearing yelps? There shouldn’t be vocalisations such as hissing or growling
4. Is one cat asleep when this occurs? Some cats may initiate play by pouncing but this can be scary for a cat who is sleeping
5.Hissing can be a sign of unhappiness
6.Is one cat choosing to move away?
A cat who is scared may run away (this can encourage chasing in another cat).
Here are some green flags (good signs)
1. Are they taking it in turns to play? Is the behaviour mirrored by each other? This is really important - it should not be one sided.
2. One cat may lay on it’s back and expose their tummy while another cat stands over it. The claws are not out and bites are gentle.
3. Are head and ears turning away?
4. Are eyes soft? Is their body position loose and relaxed?
5. Are they springy in terms of body language?
Do the cats sleep together and groom each other at other times? This suggests they are in the same social group.
If play is not play then breaking up cats with two large soft cushions is sensible. Guide them away from each other. I do not recommend picking them up, shooing them away or shouting can increase the behaviour and potentially result in redirected aggression ( this is where a cat attacks the unintended target – this could be your leg or arm).
It can sometimes be hard to tell so if you are unsure whether play is actually playful the you can book in a consultation. This can help prevent issues between your cats later on.
References:
Trudi Atkinson. Practical Feline Behaviour : Understanding Cat Behaviour and Improving Welfare. CAB International, 2018.