New Member

Posts: 2
From:London
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-14-2003 03:54 AM         

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Hi, I was wondering if anyone could help me with a problem.
I have had a ragdoll cat for three weeks now. He has not been neutered (though will be soon) and, due to his breed, is extremely big for a four month kitten.
Yesterday we bought two more kittens, not rag dolls just normal sized pussies.
They have both settled in well, except that sparks seem to fly between them and Benji, the ragdoll.
Benji tends to attack both of them, the smallest the most. As he is about twice their size this is rather worrying. At the same time he does not like being shut in a different room to them - even with human company. Sometimes the fighting is just hissing, and a lot of swiping. However now he is leaping onto them and going for their tummies. The smaller kittens will hiss and swipe, but not fight in the manner Benji does. Often it does seem that Benji wants to play, but the other kittens (by the way the other kittens are girls, benji's the only male) but it can go extremely rough especially when the younger ones don't fight back.
Is this normal playfighting? Or should they be separated immediately? I am worried to just let them get on with it as Benji is so much bigger.
Prompt replies and advice much appreciated - thanks.

[This message has been edited by Sword (edited 09-14-2003).]

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Moderator

Posts: 1591
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 09-14-2003 11:59 AM         

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Do any of the kittens get hurt (as in blood being drawn) during this playfighting?
As long as you are there to watch you can make a loud noise if you think things are getting too serious to get them to quickly stop. You may also considering keeping them seperated while you are not home with them...just to be safe. Since you have not had them very long and they are all so young I think over time they will settle in together quite nicely.

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Member

Posts: 81
From:Fairfield, CT
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-14-2003 05:13 PM         

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The first couple of weeks are always the worst but soon enough the other kittens will grow and learn to defend and/or retreat! I have a three year old cat and a 6 month old kitten. My cat growls and swats at the kitten when she gets too close. The kitten has learned to "stalk" the cat, get a swipe or two in, and run like hell. The cat has never been vicious or hurtful though. I guess she's just trying to show who is boss. The fact that you have all kittens should be a bit easier I would think. You will also learn to decipher the sound of playful growls/cries and the ones where you should split them up.

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