Are My Cats Playing or Fighting? How to Know the Difference

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Plus, how to recognize and break up a catfight
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Play aggression or mock fighting is a normal part of cat behavior. However, it can be hard to tell at times if your cats are playing or fighting—and one can switch to the other in an instant. By observing your cats’ body language closely, as well as the nature of their interaction, you’ll be able to determine if they’re playing or fighting and break up any fights swiftly and safely. We’ll give you a complete guide to how cats behave when they fight and what next steps to take when they do.

Cats Fighting vs. Play-Fighting

Signs of cat fighting include tense body language, raised hair, a tail low to the ground, and hissing. Cats that are just play-fighting will keep their bodies relaxed, their claws retracted, and their tails up. They'll also take turns and only vocalize if they want to meow or trill happily.

Section 1 of 4:

How to Tell If Cats Are Playing or Fighting

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  1. Cats that are engaged in a mock fight usually keep their bodies relaxed—they may roll around on the ground or position their bodies forward. If your cats seem more rigid and are leaning backward as they swipe at each other, they may be fighting. [1]
  2. Cats that are engaged in a real fight will have their hair standing on end. They do this to make themselves look bigger. Therefore, if you see puffed-up hair on your cats’ tail, body, or both, then they are more likely to be fighting than playing with each other. [2]
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  3. During a mock fight, cats usually have their ears positioned forward or upright or only slightly backward. On the other hand, if you see their ears turned back or positioned back against their head, then it is highly likely that your cats are fighting. [3]
  4. When playing, cats may produce cheerful chirping or trilling noises (or no noise at all). If your cats are making any hissing, growling, or yowling noises, then your cats are probably fighting. [4]
  5. During a play session, biting is often minimal and does not cause any harm. However, if you notice one cat biting the other in order to cause harm, then your cats are probably fighting instead of playing. [5]
    • For example, if one of the cats yelps out in pain and hisses or growls, then your cats may be engaged in a fight.
    • Usually, when cats play, they alternate biting one another. If one cat is frequently biting another cat who is trying to get away, it is unlikely that they are playing.
  6. Cats that are playing typically have their claws sheathed or retracted most of the time. If they are unsheathed, they will not use them to hurt the other cat intentionally. On the other hand, if you see the cats using their claws to cause damage or hurt the other cat, then it is highly likely that your cats are fighting. [6]
  7. When playing, cats usually hold their tails high and twitch them back and forth, indicating excitement and playfulness. If their tail is held low to the ground or lashing back and forth, this may be a sign of hostility, aggression, and fear. [7]
  8. During a mock fight, cats will typically take turns being more of the aggressor or the “chaser.” In other words, both cats should spend an equal amount of time initiating the play, and one single cat shouldn’t appear dominant. [8]
  9. Cats that are play fighting will stop and start many times, enabling them to take a break and change positions. On the other hand, cats that are fighting move at a fast pace and do not stop until one of them wins. [9]
  10. If you are still unsure if your cats are playing or fighting, observe their behavior afterward. Cats that are fighting will avoid each other afterward, or at least one will avoid the other. [10]
    • Cats that have been playing will act friendly toward each other and resume their normal behavior afterward. They may even nap or lie down near one another.
  11. If cats generally share positive social behaviors in their daily life, then it’s more likely that they’re playing. For example, they may frequently meet with their tails up, cuddle up together, or groom each other’s bodies and faces. [11]
    • On the other hand, it’s more likely that your cats will fight each other if they display negative behaviors like blocking access to rooms or resources, hissing or swiping at each other, or staring at each other confrontationally.
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Section 2 of 4:

What to Do If Your Cats Are Fighting

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  1. Look for something that will distract your cats and divert their focus away from the fight. Slam a door, clap your hands, yell, blow a whistle, or bang pots together to create a loud noise. Or, throw a small towel or blanket on top of both of the cats to slow down the fight. [12]
    • Never use your hands or any other body parts to stop a catfight. You can easily get injured and potentially require urgent medical attention.
    • Avoid using noise deterrents, spray bottles, or water guns to break up a fight between your cats. These methods can be frightening for cats, especially if they already have an anxious or nervous personality.
  2. Place a baby gate, cushion, piece of cardboard, or other barrier-like objects in between the cats to obstruct their view of each other. Once they stop fighting, place them in separate rooms to cool off and prevent further escalation. [13]
  3. It’s normal to jump into disciplinary mode when your adrenaline is heightened after a catfight. However, remember that cats don’t respond to punishment in the same way dogs do. Punishing your cat is more harmful to them than helpful and may even cause them to become extremely fearful of people (including you). [14]
  4. Make sure that each of your cats has its own sleeping quarters, food bowls, water bowls, and litter boxes. Giving each cat its own space can help prevent rivalries and lessen the chance of future fights that may arise over resource conflicts. [15]
  5. You only need to take this step if fights become a habitual issue in your home. If your cats can’t seem to stop fighting with each other, keep them separate for a while before reintroducing them like you would with two new cats. Keep your cats in separate rooms and feed them at the same time on different sides of a closed door. [16]
    • Once a day, swap their blankets so that they get used to each other’s scents.
    • When they seem comfortable with this setup, let them see each other through a screen or gate and watch how they interact.
    • Then, slowly allow them to have supervised visits together until they seem completely comfortable (or at least will tolerate each other).
    • This process may take weeks or more, so be patient and don’t rush your cats.
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Prevent Future Fights Between Your Cats

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  1. Give each cat its own litter box, food and water bowls, sleeping area, perches, and toys in different areas of the house. Engage them both in individual play time catered to their needs and energy level—if you have a more enthusiastic cat that gets on another’s nerves, try to put more energy into wearing out that cat. [17]
    • You can even try clicker training to give them a mental workout or take them on walks with a cat harness and leash .
  2. When your cats do interact in a friendly manner, use positive reinforcement to keep encouraging healthy play. Give them praise, cuddles, and treats when they’re getting along and play-fighting in a productive way. [18]
  3. Cat comfort diffusers emit odorless vapors that mimic a cat’s pheromones. They work to calm down your cat by signaling to them that everything is safe in their environment. Therefore, these diffusers may help create a happier atmosphere between two cats that have a lot of tension. [19]
  4. Neutering or spaying your cats may help reduce fighting between them. Certain aggressive behaviors are more common in cats that haven’t been spayed or neutered, specifically for males. If either of your cats hasn’t undergone this procedure yet, take them to your veterinarian to discuss potential options. [20]
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Section 4 of 4:

Frequently Asked Questions about Cat Fights

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  1. Cats may fight for a number of reasons, the most common being territorial disputes and challenges with new household members. When a new cat is added to a home, fights in the home are likely to become more frequent. These issues usually come from a cat feeling insecure about their territory not being protected. [21] Other potential reasons include :
    • A lack of early-life socialization when the cat was a kitten.
    • Food and resource scarcity when cats are fed close together without enough food.
    • Illness, especially when a cat suddenly attacks without previous issues.
    • Protectiveness over kittens, most commonly in households with breeding females.
    • Genetics passed down by problematic or especially irritable cat parents.
  2. When playing, cats may stalk, chase, and pounce on each other. They especially like to engage in social play if they’re surrounded by fun obstacles, hiding holes, cat trees, and other activity-based toys. To a human, a cat’s play sessions can look like fights, and they can often turn into one if one cat becomes over-stimulated by a more energetic or excitable cat.
  3. If your cats aren’t showing any signs of aggression, then it’s great to let your cats play-fight. Normal play-fighting includes pouncing and chasing in a playful way, but if things turn more aggressive, then you should try to distract and separate the cats so that they can cool down.
  4. Most cats like to wrestle and play-fight—it’s a good way for them to expend energy and comes naturally with their hunter instincts. Usually, two cats that are play-fighting together have trust and affection for one another. [22]
  5. No, cats normally hiss to tell another cat or person to “back off” and give them some space. If your cats are play-fighting and one begins to hiss, they’ve likely become overstimulated and are feeling scared, threatened, or distressed. Separate your pets and let them cool off in a quiet area. [23]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What does it mean when a cat hisses at you?
    Ryan Corrigan, LVT, VTS-EVN
    Licensed Veterinary Technician
    Ryan Corrigan is a Licensed Veterinary Technician in California. She received her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology from Purdue University in 2010. She is also a Member of the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians since 2011.
    Ryan Corrigan, LVT, VTS-EVN
    Licensed Veterinary Technician
    Expert Answer
    Typically cats will hiss when they are either afraid or warning you to back off. To interpret a hiss look towards the other body language signs being presented.
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  • Question
    Why do cats bite when you play with them?
    Ryan Corrigan, LVT, VTS-EVN
    Licensed Veterinary Technician
    Ryan Corrigan is a Licensed Veterinary Technician in California. She received her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology from Purdue University in 2010. She is also a Member of the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians since 2011.
    Ryan Corrigan, LVT, VTS-EVN
    Licensed Veterinary Technician
    Expert Answer
    This is a natural communication among cats and it is part of the way they play together.
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  • Question
    Do cats play?
    Ryan Corrigan, LVT, VTS-EVN
    Licensed Veterinary Technician
    Ryan Corrigan is a Licensed Veterinary Technician in California. She received her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology from Purdue University in 2010. She is also a Member of the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians since 2011.
    Ryan Corrigan, LVT, VTS-EVN
    Licensed Veterinary Technician
    Expert Answer
    Yes, many cats love to play and will play on their own when toys are offered.
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      • Cats that are unfamiliar with each other or who have had a hostile interaction with each other previously are more likely to fight.
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      • If you’re considering getting a new cat, keep in mind the personality of your present cat. If your current cat is particularly territorial or hostile, be prepared for potential conflict after a new adoption.
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      • If you still can’t tell whether your cats are playing or fighting, take a video of their interaction and show it to your veterinarian for their expert input.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/aggression-between-cats-your-household
      2. ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-behavior-problems-aggression
      3. ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/understanding-feline-language
      4. ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/understanding-feline-language
      5. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/aggression-between-cats-your-household
      6. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/aggression-between-cats-your-household
      7. ↑ https://www.petmd.com/cat/behavior/cat-tail-language
      8. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8044293/
      9. ↑ https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/cat-behaviour/cats-and-fighting
      1. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/mood-boosting-power-of-dogs.htm
      2. ↑ https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/how-train-cat
      3. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/are-they-playing-or-fighting/
      4. ↑ https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/cat-behaviour/cats-and-fighting
      5. ↑ https://www.mspca.org/pet_resources/correcting-unwanted-cat-behavior/
      6. ↑ https://www.aaha.org/resources/how-can-i-fix-my-cats-behavior-problems/
      7. ↑ https://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/introducing-cats-to-cats/
      8. ↑ https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/cat-behaviour/cats-and-fighting
      9. ↑ https://www.hshv.org/training-cats-with-positive-reinforcement/
      10. ↑ https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/cat-behaviour/cats-and-fighting
      11. ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/why-you-should-spayneuter-your-pet
      12. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29706092/
      13. ↑ https://northhamptonvets.com/cat-keeps-play-fighting/
      14. ↑ https://unionlakeveterinaryhospital.com/blog/hissy-fit-are-my-cats-playing-or-fighting

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To tell if cats are playing or fighting, listen for aggressive sounds, like hissing or growling, which cats only make in a fight. Also, look to see if their ears are pointed backward and are flattened down on their head. If they are flat, they could be fighting, but if their ears point up, it's probably just playing. Cats will often use their paws to bat each other when playing, but if their claws are out it’s likely a fight. Furthermore, notice biting habits to see if one is biting the other more often, which can indicate aggression. For more tips from our Veterinary reviewer, like how to break up a fight between 2 cats, read on!

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