Aggression vs Play: How to Tell If Cats Are Playing or Fighting
Updated: 6 hours ago
In my previous post, Cat Body Language: Signs of Aggressive Behaviour in Felines, we took an in-depth look at some of the behaviours associated with aggression; as well as the differences between defensive and offensive aggression. Going a step further, it's also important to recognise when cats are actually fighting and having a good ol' wrestling match.
Cats are solitary creatures in the wild, so the fact that they've evolved to accept companionship is a miracle in itself. If your cats are playing together then you should consider it a form of social bonding, which is exactly the behaviour we're looking for and want to promote. Note that playing isn't the same as one cat terrorising another, which we'll cover later in this article.
On the flip side, where aggression is present, it's crucial to step in before it has a chance to escalate. Petty squabbles can fast become full-contact fights, which are much harder to remedy. First things first, I recommend checking out the above mentioned post if you haven't already done so or aren't familiar with the typical signs of feline aggression.
In this article:
Signs Of Aggression
Let's take a quick look at some of the physical, vocal and behavioural actions of an angry kitty.
Physical | Vocal | Behavioural |
Flattened ears. | Hissing. | Clawing. |
Fluffed up fur. | Growling. | Biting. |
Swishing tale. | Yowling. | Swiping. |
Arched back. | Screaming. | Staring. |
Hunched. | Spitting. | Chasing. |
Low to the ground. | Caterwauling. | Blocking. |
Most parents will have witnessed any or all of these signs, whether directed at themselves, another cat; toys and even things we don't expect. Have you ever seen kitty puff out her fur like she's doing an impression of Sonic the Hedgehog for no apparent reason, or run hissing from the room? It's highly likely that she was spooked by something and preparing to defend herself against this unknown threat.
Fear aggression doesn't necessarily have to be incited by another cat, but it can certainly cause miscommunications to happen within multi-cat households. To add to the complexity of felines, a lot of the behaviours above can be exhibited through play.
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Play is an extension of their natural hunting instincts, which can be a nerve-wracking experience for parents whose cats haven't been getting along. There were times when I was afraid to let my boys near each other, so it's essential that you learn how to read a cat's body language in order to spot the differences between fighting and playing.
Cat Body Language: Aggression Vs Play
Body Part | Aggression | Play |
Ears | Flattened / pinned back. | Upwards, straight or slightly forwards to show interest / curiosity. |
Eyes | Wide or slanted; unblinking stare. | Wide; indirect staring with little or no eye contact. |
Mouth | Bared teeth; biting; continuous hissing / spitting / growling / yowling. | Relaxed; may be open or closed; loose biting; occasional meow or hiss / cry in rough play. |
Fur | Fluffed up or coming out in chunks. | Normal |
Tail | Fluffed up or bristly; tucked under the body; low swishing from side to side or thumping. | Flicking end; wagging; high up or vertical. |
Paws | Swatting or swiping with claws; fur caught in nails. | Lighter and more playful swatting or "windmilling"; claws retracted. |
Posture | Hunched; arched back; sideways stance; stomach flat to the ground; upright on haunches; lying on its back. | Relaxed; crouching; butt wiggle. |
Behaviour | Chasing; ambushing; blocking; stalking. | Stalking; pouncing; grappling; wrestling; chasing back and forth. |
As you can see from the table, certain aggressive behaviours overlap those exhibited during play. It can take a trained eye to know if or when to step in, particularly if either kitty has a tendency to take things too far. Fortunately, cats are known to give so many physical and vocal warnings before launching an attack that, with a little practice, you should be able to stop aggression from escalating.
We should also bear in mind that, given the internal mechanisms of a cat and how they're built - i.e., with fangs and claws - while there shouldn't be any injuries during play, it's completely normal for cats to roughhouse each other.
Playtime is as entertaining for them as it is for you. I've spent countless hours watching my boys stalking and pouncing on each other; chasing up and down hallways; swatting through gaps in doors and spying around furniture. Their wrestling matches are by no means gentle, and while the odd shriek can be concerning for a parent, rest assured that your kitties are having the time of their lives!
How Can I Tell If Cats Are Playing or Fighting?
I’ll say it again: your cats will tell you! Learn the language, understand the language, speak the language.
During play, cats will take it in turns to chase, stalk and pounce with an overall lighter or “bouncier” energy. There should be no obvious tension, both cats will engage and go back to normal afterwards. You may see them separate occasionally to reposition themselves, or simply to take a breather.
If cats are locked together in a squalling cluster then you’re witnessing a full-contact fight. No one should be peeing or pooping during a play session (yes, that includes you) as this is a clear indication that things have gone too far. Cats can also release fluid from their anal glands when they’re frightened, which smells rather more offensive than pee!
Bear in mind that it’s not unusual to hear cats hissing, or even the odd cry, when play gets a little too rough. Ever watched a couple of lions wrestling? Notice how they lock their jaws around each other’s throats and pin one another to the ground - it’s all part of the fun!
Cats may roll onto their backs when playing (or fighting) so they can use their powerful hind legs to kick and scratch. You might have experienced this yourself, I remember when Simba was a kitten he’d try to murder my hand.
*Disclaimer: if you’re wondering if it’s okay to let a kitten play with your hands, the answer is no - and you can learn more about why in this post all about how to play with cats.
When a cat isn’t playing or fighting, to expose its stomach is considered a vulnerable position, as we often see when they’re resting or asleep. It shows that your cat is comfortable in its environment and that it trusts its companions, human and animal alike. Hence why going in for that belly rub may not be a good idea.
The biggest tell-tale sign of a cat in play mode, for me, is the chirping or “trilling” vocalisation. It generally comes with a closed mouth and is more of a nasal sound, not like the chattering you might hear in response to watching birds through a window. This chirp is basically their way of saying: “I want to play!”
Perhaps the most common behaviour to spot, and we’ve all seen it, is the famous butt wiggle that comes just before a pounce. This wiggling motion acts as a warm up to prepare their muscles, check their balance and assess the stability of their footing; after all, they might only get one chance to catch their prey.
Cats that are upright on their haunches and swiping at each other with claws showing is more aggressive, yet similar in posture to what is sometimes described as the “handbag” scrap where the front paws make more of a windmilling action. Cute and comical to witness, if contact is minimal and your cats aren’t screaming at one another then this is no cause for alarm.
Play Aggression
Play aggression is common amongst unsocialised or feral cats that have had no interaction with other cats or humans. This goes back to early bonding experiences, as kittens will generally learn the "rules" of play from their siblings and mother. That is, biting and scratching may lead to a sharp retaliation or their playmate running away. Without these experiences, cats have no way of knowing what is and isn't acceptable.
Kittens are playful creatures as we know, therefore it's crucial to get them used to playing with toys so you can provide a distraction later down the line. It's also possible to retrain older cats by creating positive associations with toys, such as offering a treat whenever they use one. However, as is typical of our feline friends, sometimes aggression can be a little more complicated!
If you have a particularly energetic, young or excitable cat then it may get a thrill out of attacking unsuspecting housemates - every group of friends has a prankster, right? Generally these won’t escalate into fights, but don’t be surprised to see a warning swipe from the victim. Let it cool off in a private space and, if necessary, help the overstimulated cat to burn off some energy by offering a toy to attack instead.
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There's also a chance that play can switch to fighting very quickly if there are any underlying issues or tension between the cats themselves. After my boys had their big falling out several months ago, Simba has never quite been the same. Despite my efforts to help rebuild trust between them, occasionally, Simba will launch into a hissy fit during an otherwise friendly play session, leaving poor Drax bewildered.
As mentioned previously, with such a large overlap in playful and aggressive behaviours, it's not uncommon or surprising for miscommunications to happen.
Cats can have rocky relationships at the best of times but learn to tolerate each other very well in many cases. The problem occurs when one cat tries to run or hide and the other one doesn't take the hint, and it may proceed to follow, stalk or stare. Sometimes this can be an attempt at intimidation, so it's best to distract the offending cat with a toy or separate them for a few minutes to prevent overstimulation.
Make sure the victim has plenty of hiding places and escape routes to evade this stalker-like behaviour.
Related post: 3 Reasons Why Your Bonded Cats Are Fighting
Summary
Use this checklist outlining the positive and negative aspects of play while observing your kitties during their next play session. You might spot a few things that you otherwise wouldn't have noticed!
Positive Signs | Negative Signs |
✓ Light-hearted pouncing, friendly stalking (usually with a butt wiggle) and taking it in turns to chase back and forth. | ✕ Direct staring with stiff, rigid or hunched postures. |
✓ Both cats engage and you may hear trilling or chirping vocalisations. | ✕ Flattened ears and fluffed up fur with a (low) lashing or thumping tale. |
✓ Any wrestling and / or swatting will generally be silent with claws retracted. | ✕ One cat may corner, ambush or chase while the other backs off, runs or hides. |
✓ Cats take small breaks in between "rounds". | ✕ Continuous hissing, growling or screaming with exposed claws and bared teeth. |
✓ Expect the odd hiss or cry if play gets rough. | ✕ Cats locked together with no separations. |
Do your kitties have a tendency to play rough or does the play session end in tears? Share your experiences or concerns in the comments and we'll do our best to help!
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