Skip to main content

Are your cats playing or fighting? An easy way to tell

When cats play, there’s plenty of tumbling, swatting, and jumping on each other. Unfortunately, all of the action of playing can look a lot like fighting, too, and it can be hard to tell the two apart. While many cats who know each other well won’t fight often, it’s still possible for disagreements to break out, and you might need to step in to help keep your cats safe. But interfering in a good old play session is unnecessary, probably frustrating to your cats, and might even get you accidentally scratched. So are cats playing or fighting? Here’s how to tell.

Watch for body language

Union Lake Veterinary Hospital recommends that you carefully watch your cats’ body language to better understand how they’re feeling and interacting. If your cats assume stiff postures with their ears pressed back close to their heads, they’re indicating that they’re afraid or stressed. Stressed cats may raise their tails up, crouch or arch their bodies up, and even raise up their fur and display their teeth. Any of these signs indicate that your cats likely aren’t playing and are probably fighting, or at least staring each other down in preparation for a fight.

Two kittens playing on a tile floor
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Listen for vocalizations

Most cats won’t make vocalizations while they’re playing, so if you notice that your cats are hissing, growling, or even screaming, these noises could indicate that your cats have moved beyond play into fighting. If you start hearing these vocalizations, then it’s time to step in and break up the fight.

Recommended Videos

Try to interrupt

There’s an easy way to test whether your cats are playing around or starting to fight: try to interrupt their interactions by calling to them. If your cats both respond to your calls happily and then go back to playing, chances are they’re just fine.

But if your cats are fighting, you might notice a different response. Your cats might not respond to you at all and might continue engaging with each other. Or, if they do respond to you, one might slink away and hide, indicating that the cat is feeling threatened.

Two cats fighting in a yard
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to deal with fighting cats

If your cats are fighting, it’s important to take the right steps to break up the fight. Cat Behavior Associates recommends that you never get in between fighting cats bare-handed, since you’re likely to be injured, scratched, and bitten. Your cats might even redirect their aggression at you, which could lead to serious injuries.

Instead, you can separate the cats by startling them. Make a loud noise by clapping your hands or slamming a door. If that doesn’t separate the cats, then use an object like a couch cushion or a cardboard box to physically separate them so they can’t see each other. Then, separate the cats in different rooms.

You’ll need to carefully consider how long to keep the cats separated. If the cats are housemates and are well-acquainted with each other, they may just need a brief cooling-off period before you let them both back out into the house. If your cats are just getting to know each other, a fight can indicate that you’re taking the introduction process too quickly. You’ll need to revert to keeping the cats separated and gradually letting them meet safely underneath a door, then through a pet gate until they’re well-accustomed to each other’s presence.

As you reintroduce your cats, it’s important to keep a close eye on them. Stay present and be ready to distract the cats with toys or separate them if needed.

You can play an important role in helping to prevent future fights. That prevention starts with making sure that your cats are familiar and comfortable with each other, which means providing a gradual, controlled introduction that keeps both cats safe. Once your cats are living in the same space peacefully, you can help to maintain that peace by ensuring that they have plenty of resources, including food and litter boxes, and that they don’t have to fight over these items. Place multiple food bowls throughout your home, and make sure that you have one more litter box than you have cats. Place these items so that they’re easily accessible, and so that one cat can’t trap the other while they’re accessing these areas. With some careful planning, you can help to prevent potential fights and keep your cats safe.

Paige Cerulli
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Paige's work has appeared in American Veterinarian, Business Insider, Healthline, and more. When she's not writing, Paige…
Can cats eat apples? What’s safe and what’s not
How to prepare apples for cats
Fluffy cat looking at table of apples

It's essential to feed your cat a nutritionally complete diet, but you have a lot more leeway when it comes to cat treats. Meals should make up most of your feline friend's diet, so the treats you choose don't have to be as nutritious and filling. Treats are for enjoyment and rewards! Many human foods are safe to share with your cat as treats and some are toxic, but it can be hard to remember what's on the list.
If you've ever wondered, "Can cats eat apples?" you're not alone. After all, fresh fruits are an essential component of a balanced diet for people, so is it the same for cats? Let's find out!

Can cats eat apples?

Read more
Why your cat sleeping at your feet is a big compliment
If you've ever wondered about this cat behavior, this article is for you
Calico cat lying on a white comforter

Have you noticed that when you go to sleep, your cat automatically heads to the foot of the bed and curls up by your feet? It's no mistake, and it's not your cat giving you the cold shoulder, either. This is a deliberate decision on your kitty's part, and there are many reasons why they might choose to sleep there instead of curling up on your stomach or by your shoulder. Actually, if your cat sleeps by your feet, you should take it as a compliment and feel flattered.

So, why do cats sleep at your feet? It's a mix of your cat's affection for you, a feeling of safety, and even the body heat you generate that plays into your cat's decision to sleep at the foot of the bed. It's both smart and sweet!
Why do cats sleep at your feet? The reason is sweeter than you think

Read more
How to take care of a blind cat: The tips and tricks to know
Creating a home that's comfortable and helpful for blind cats
A closeup shot of a one-eyed orange tabby cat.

With over 2 million adoptions taking place at animal shelters in the U.S. every year, pet lovers have every reason to celebrate. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows. The adoption rate is much lower for "special needs" animals like blind cats. It takes a wonderfully special kind of person to adopt a disabled fur baby, but those who do give special needs animals a forever home don't regret it. 

Not only are you saving a life when you adopt a disabled pet, but you're also setting an example for family members, friends, and neighbors. As pet parents of disabled fur babies will tell you, differently abled pets, including blind cats, are just as loving and fun as any other.

Read more