Wrestling

**FreyjaRoMaine** · 9th December 2010, 09:13 PM

So you all know that I've got two happy cats now, and they get on very well, play nicely together (when I say 'play', obviously I mean stampede round the house in steel toe-capped clogs); they share things - toys, cat milk, food; they groom each other, and will curl up together - you get the idea.

But they also wrestle quite a bit. Not fight - I've seen and heard enough cat fights to know they're not fighting - but the wrestling can sometimes look quite rough. You get the occasional strange noise that I can't begin to describe (unless you're a fan of the League Of Gentlemen and are familiar with Papa Lazarou) and even less occasionally, there'll be a hiss.

If I hear the strange noise, I'll clap my hands to break them up, and they both stop, look a bit indignant, and then when I turn my back they'll start again. Neither of them seems to try to get away when I break them up. There's also no defensive or predatory behaviours exhibited.

Neither cat seems to get hurt during the altercation, and neither tries to get away from it. I can't see if one of them always starts it or if they take it in turns, and having never had two cats before I've no idea if it's just the way they are. I'm guessing this is perfectly normal, but would be grateful to hear your thoughts.

**Howlinbob** · 9th December 2010, 09:23 PM

Hi Karen, don't worry, that's exactly what my 2 are like. They wrestle like mad, roll over and over and over, sometimes to the point where it looks quite violent and the fur flies. And they make that funny noise. But they are just playing, and they never draw blood. And we all know that they could hurt if they wanted to - my mother-in-law's cat sometimes comes in with a bloody ear or gash to his face. Mostly I leave them to it, but I occasionally break it up if I think they are going to fall off the table or hurt themselves. If I do break them up, they look a bit surprised, wait 3 seconds, and then carry on. Sometimes they have a wrestle with Barney my old moggie, and he is more than game for it but I do watch them, as they are now so much bigger than him! But he can really hold his own with them, the old lad. So yes, wrestling is quite normal and I guess it shows how comfortable they are with each other - they are having fun!

**FreyjaRoMaine** · 9th December 2010, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by Howlinbob

Hi Karen, don't worry, that's exactly what my 2 are like. They wrestle like mad, roll over and over and over, sometimes to the point where it looks quite violent and the fur flies. And they make that funny noise. But they are just playing, and they never draw blood. And we all know that they could hurt if they wanted to - my mother-in-law's cat sometimes comes in with a bloody ear or gash to his face. Mostly I leave them to it, but I occasionally break it up if I think they are going to fall off the table or hurt themselves. If I do break them up, they look a bit surprised, wait 3 seconds, and then carry on. Sometimes they have a wrestle with Barney my old moggie, and he is more than game for it but I do watch them, as they are now so much bigger than him! But he can really hold his own with them, the old lad. So yes, wrestling is quite normal and I guess it shows how comfortable they are with each other - they are having fun!

I was hoping you'd say that! Thanks HB, much appreciated x

**jckkerrison** · 9th December 2010, 09:30 PM

Another two exctly the same here....

**mcguy** · 10th December 2010, 03:26 AM

This is normal kitten play. I would worry only if one begins to hiss frequently or is trying to run away and getting tackled. Some of ours have vocalized during the play in such a way as to make us think they were upset, but usually if we broke it up they would then start right back at it. The only thing we have done to help ensure no injuries is to keep their nails particularly well clipped when there has been lots of vigorous wrestling. Our two males still do this some, and it can look pretty physical since they are both around 20 lbs!

**Peter Galbavy** · 10th December 2010, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by FreyjaRoMaine

(unless you're a fan of the League Of Gentlemen and are familiar with Papa Lazarou)

"Hey Daaave... You're my wife now."

:-)

And in my experience, unless one of the starts screaming and fighting for real, they are fine.

**Rachel-C** · 10th December 2010, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Peter Galbavy

"Hey Daaave... You're my wife now."

:-)

LMAO!

Karen, my two are exactly the same - it's perfectly normal - and just goes to show what good friends they now are despite the worry they put us through on their initial introductory phase!

The funniest thing with ours is that completely innocent look on their faces (particularly Gracie) with that butter wouldn't melt, I didn't start it, expression - before Monty turns his back and she takes off "harrier jump jet style" and jumps on his back for round two!!!

Rach x

**Antonia** · 10th December 2010, 11:16 AM

Haha... that sounds sooo familiar! Exactly the same thing happens over here. And my initial reaction was pretty much the same as yours, Karen. When I tried to break it up, three seconds later the perceived 'victim' turned the tables and became the 'aggressor'. Like the others say, it's perfectly normal kitty play. The other day I saw two tiger cubs on the telly playing exactly in the same manner, including the whacking each other on the head with their front paws.

The only time I get a bit uneasy is when El Monto seems to forget he's had a certain medical procedure and the wrestling starts to look like something else.

But the girls always manage to fight him off, after which he sulks and knocks his toys about rather violently for a while.

**FreyjaRoMaine** · 10th December 2010, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by Peter Galbavy

"Hey Daaave... You're my wife now."

Originally Posted by Rachel-C

LMAO!

Fellow fans! Rach, took me a sec to work out LMAO but now I've got it, I will borrow it in future!!

I hoped it was all very normal behaviour, but it's very reassuring to know they all do. And I know the expression you mentioned the Diva wears, Rach - guess who else sports that??

debbie560 · 12th December 2010, 10:36 AM

Mine are constantly wrestling it looks rough and they actually look like they are going to hurt each other, but its all good sport usually they hiss and sometimes growl, when they have said HEY>>> THAT HURT!!! but normally they are right back at it..

Its all part of the cat play, and social standing... there are times when they are so rough you think I must stop them and I do like you clap my hands, but they just look up at me, give me the WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM LOOK... and then carry on where they left off