How far is too far when it comes to cats and kittens playing?
I have a 5 year old neutered male, and a 10 week old male kitten. Dexter, the kitten, has slotted in nicely with our little family. Perrie, my older cat, took to him quite quickly, within a few days. The only issue we have is with playing. It usually turns into a wrestling match with Perrie kicking Dexter. They are always stopped at this point, but Dexter hasn't ever been really hurt by it.
Another problem along this line, is that Perrie likes to bathe Dexter, whilest Dexter doesn't like to be bathed. Dex will often 'fight back', biting and wriggling and generally resisting Perries attempts to wash him. Often this also will end in wrestling, with Perrie first attempting to pin Dexter down, then biting him, and then ultimately, again, the kicking.
I'm really worried that Perrie is going to cut Dexters tummy badly, but so far there appears to be no injuries. Dexter will sometimes cry out when Perrie pins him down, but he does that when I'm holding him and Dex wants to be put down. If I take to long putting him down he'll start crying.
So really, what I need to know is what's acceptable during play, what's not, and how far is too far? I don't like to step in unless I have to, but because I'm not sure, I'm worried I'm stepping in too early.
They are always supervised when together. Dexter is locked up when there is no-one home, Perrie is shut out of our room at night if they don't settle (he doesn't always sleep with us anyway), and when I'm asleep, even the slightest peep from Dex will wake me up.
But I'm worried that if I'm constantly telling them off, that Perrie will develop psychological problems when it comes to playing with Dexter.
Thankyou for your help in advance,
I have a 5 year old neutered male, and a 10 week old male kitten. Dexter, the kitten, has slotted in nicely with our little family. Perrie, my older cat, took to him quite quickly, within a few days. The only issue we have is with playing. It usually turns into a wrestling match with Perrie kicking Dexter. They are always stopped at this point, but Dexter hasn't ever been really hurt by it.
Another problem along this line, is that Perrie likes to bathe Dexter, whilest Dexter doesn't like to be bathed. Dex will often 'fight back', biting and wriggling and generally resisting Perries attempts to wash him. Often this also will end in wrestling, with Perrie first attempting to pin Dexter down, then biting him, and then ultimately, again, the kicking.
I'm really worried that Perrie is going to cut Dexters tummy badly, but so far there appears to be no injuries. Dexter will sometimes cry out when Perrie pins him down, but he does that when I'm holding him and Dex wants to be put down. If I take to long putting him down he'll start crying.
So really, what I need to know is what's acceptable during play, what's not, and how far is too far? I don't like to step in unless I have to, but because I'm not sure, I'm worried I'm stepping in too early.
They are always supervised when together. Dexter is locked up when there is no-one home, Perrie is shut out of our room at night if they don't settle (he doesn't always sleep with us anyway), and when I'm asleep, even the slightest peep from Dex will wake me up.
But I'm worried that if I'm constantly telling them off, that Perrie will develop psychological problems when it comes to playing with Dexter.
Thankyou for your help in advance,