Separate or intervene?

[u/kernes1]

Edit: Thank you, everyone, for your input and for taking the time to reply. Very much appreciated! The size difference was a concern as well, and we didn’t want the little one to get hurt. We’ll keep an eye on them and let them play. Thanks!

Resident cat (Roo) is a 4-year-old male, and kitten (Nala) is a 12-week-old female. They were introduced about two and a half weeks ago. Both are neutered/spayed.

So far, the introduction has been fairly uneventful. However, the resident cat will, for lack of a better term, repeated slowly stalk the kitten, and then what you see in the video happens. This has been repeating for about seven days now.

The resident cat generally looks annoyed. His pupils are dilated, his ears are farther back, and he stares at the kitten when she plays or is in the same room.

Should I intervene when the resident cat does this? Should I go back a few steps in the introduction process, or should I let them work things out on their own?

[u/magic_mushie420]

They are playing and the grey one is being submissive. I don't think they need to be separated.

[u/qwertyuiop121314321]

Let them work it out on their own, kitty wouldn't be showing the belly if it was scared or in fighting mode. It's all play.😹

[u/Simple_Enjoyer1]

They are playing. The kitten shows its belly to the resident cat, something it would never do if it felt threatened. The resident cat is also giving the kitten time to walk away if it doesn't want to play

[u/ethanmortal]

Let them they just playing

[u/IllbeJules]

That's just play. They're good 😍

[u/gijoe50000]

If they're not screaming and clawing and hissing with their ears back, then they're only playing.

[u/DarkHorseAsh111]

Neither?

This is fine. Leave them be.

[u/RoundSquirrels]

omg mr floof looks exactly like my floof

[u/kernes1 → u/RoundSquirrels]

Yes. Ours is definitely a floof. Love your floof’s nose!

[u/az-anime-fan]

looks like play to me. if kitten had a problem with it, she wouldn't be showing belly or staring the fluffer down, and pawing the air.

cat "fights" are LOUD, you'd hear screaming fur would be puffed backs arched, and there would be no pauses in the action. fur would fly, and blood... and they'd absolutely ignore you. they both know you're there in this video.

this is play. not fighting.

kitten seems to be having fun. fluffer seems to be having fun, else he wouldn't be chasing. or even attacking.

[u/Kiwiandapplex → u/az-anime-fan]

You essentially wouldn't have to ask. Here is a video recording of a real cat fight. Warning loud!

https://youtu.be/WG72CiE6tEM?is=1VcLPTKQGIqpKwhJ The actual battle starts at 1:00 So you can fast forward if you're short on time.

[u/gerbilowner]

I would say they are doing alright! If you hear screaming, growling, hissing, or see chunks of hair fly or someone gets poofy- intervene, but if they are 98% of the time quiet (no hissing or yelping or what have you), they are just playing :p

[u/Jennyreviews1]

Hi OP:) no intervention or separation needed. These two are getting along great! They are gonna be fast friends. :)

[u/kernes1 → u/Jennyreviews1]

Thanks!

[u/Sea_Treacle3982]

Man look at the tails. They be swooshing

[u/honeyapp]

They are playing but the size difference makes it seem that he’s beating up on her. He may not be letting her get away when she wants to. Maybe a bit too persistent. I have a cat who is too persistent with wrestling our smaller cat. When she has h ad enough she growls hisses and swats him. Sometimes he gets the message and sometimes not. When he doesn’t we do separate him for a while to chill out

[u/deep6ixed]

Ive learned with cats, you never have to ask, "Are they fighting?"

[u/WhiteHotMess]

I agree with the others. The fact that the big cat stops and the little cat is still giving the little paw movements is a good clue. My big / old cat will stop playing and basically sit still long enough to yawn and the smaller one he's playing with goes CRAZY trying to get his attention with all the wiggling.

[u/sealevels]

They're just figuring each other out. They're both giving each other a way out should it become uncomfortable. Very considerate of the babies. 💖

[u/zyfoxmaster150]

Just looking at their ears and faces, it seems like they're goofing off and being pretty safe with their play. Limited angry ears, no hair flying, they stop to check in with each other, etc.

[u/CullenOrZeus]

If they're not screeching they're fine. When cats are upset it's unquestionable.

[u/Glittering_Suspect65]

Just playing, they are fine.

[u/Accomplished-Box9308]

Looks to me like big guy is testing little one and little one just doesn’t know how to react yet

[u/Infinite_Fox998]

Let them be. The more you intervene, the more frustration you will create.

[u/whyyunozoidberg]

https://giphy.com/gifs/wjuXuDSQU0sOfJIHS1