Why does my one cat not know when to stop when play fighting?

[Nicolet33]

Hi all! First post here- just adopted two cats about a month ago, their owner needed to rehome them. They aren’t related by blood but have been together pretty much their whole lives. They get along fine and will sometimes play together, of course with the occasional brother / sister annoyance. But lately in the mornings, the boy will play with his sister too much and she gets annoyed and starts hissing and growling, and he doesn’t seem to know to stop so he’ll keep chasing her and annoying her. I’ve had to step in because it’s disruptive to my sleep, I’ll hold him for a second (he doesn’t love being held) and he kinda realizes that’s his punishment any ideas why he keeps going when she’s hissing and growling? They dont seem to have a super strong “alpha” among them but if anything it’s the girl. Maybe he’s just not the brightest? Thank you in advance

 

[ArtNJ]

If he is a kitten or young cat, that is normal. Its sometimes quite the problem if the younger cat is around 1 because they have adult size and still act like kittens. For older cats its more common that they will allow their playmate to disengage after they hiss and try to run off. I have two cats that are friendly and play every day, but the female is smaller and will always be the one to end every play session, sometimes with some hissing and running off. The bigger male always allows her to disengage.

My bigger cat that allows the other to disengage? When he was a kitten, I adopted him from a foster home where I saw him torturing a 3 legged cat. Just jumping on him again and again, refusing all signals. So yeah, they generally grow up eventually, but YMMV.

 

[di and bob]

If you figure it out, please tell me! I have ten-year-old brothers and one ALWAYS jumps on the other, holding him down and making him cry. Often at night on the bed. I haven't been able to figure it out, and yelling works to get him off, but not to stop it. i figure it is typical brother behavior. Annoying, but nobody really gets hurt. No scabs or holes or anything. He tries it with his mother, who we also have, but being female, she doesn't stand for it, screaming, hissing and swatting him good. I wish the brother would do that, but usually, the one is holding him down by the neck, a show of dominance.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

You MIGHT have to Iet this happen without interfering untiI she swats him good a coupIe of times. Right now, he sees you as ending the game, but does NOT see his "sister" as in controI. If she is hissing and growIing, I'm betting she wiII swat when she's had a beIIy fuII of his nonsense. He'II Iearn to behave far better from her than from you. And I know how hard it is to do that. You don't want anyone hurt, but the chances of that happening are sIim to none. Neither is afraid of the other. Your boy just needs to Iearn a bit of respect and a few boundaries.

 

[danteshuman]

This sounds like what my boy does to his sister (& they are litter mates.) Basically my boy or her other brother get bored and decide she will play with them whether she wants to or not (& that she will be the prey!) The thing is she wants to play tag and the boys want to play wrestlemania.

So when one starts hunting her she starts growling. & hissing. I just break them apart and play with the trouble maker. Then I play with both of them. A 15-30 minute breaks allows them to reset. The wand toy is more fun then harassing their sister.

My boy also does this when he is hangry. So if it is an hour before meal time if they out of food, I feed them…. Everyone calms down.

This is how the boys want to play

 

[Alldara]

Sometimes they just have too much energy and don't care. Cal gets like this if he gets too hyper. Then I know we have to play with him a bit more or play with a kicker toy with him. oh cats.

 

[Nicolet33]

You MIGHT have to Iet this happen without interfering untiI she swats him good a coupIe of times. Right now, he sees you as ending the game, but does NOT see his "sister" as in controI. If she is hissing and growIing, I'm betting she wiII swat when she's had a beIIy fuII of his nonsense. He'II Iearn to behave far better from her than from you. And I know how hard it is to do that. You don't want anyone hurt, but the chances of that happening are sIim to none. Neither is afraid of the other. Your boy just needs to Iearn a bit of respect and a few boundaries.

Yes that’s what I’m thinking too! I’m like girl you’re not shy when it comes to swatting me if you don’t like something why can’t you swat him I’ve tried playing with them a lot before bedtime and seems to help a little. But yeah at this point I’m too tired and it’s too early for me to break it up so y’all are on your own!!!

 

[Nicolet33]

Hi all! First post here- just adopted two cats about a month ago, their owner needed to rehome them. They aren’t related by blood but have been together pretty much their whole lives. They get along fine and will sometimes play together, of course with the occasional brother / sister annoyance. But lately in the mornings, the boy will play with his sister too much and she gets annoyed and starts hissing and growling, and he doesn’t seem to know to stop so he’ll keep chasing her and annoying her. I’ve had to step in because it’s disruptive to my sleep, I’ll hold him for a second (he doesn’t love being held) and he kinda realizes that’s his punishment any ideas why he keeps going when she’s hissing and growling? They dont seem to have a super strong “alpha” among them but if anything it’s the girl. Maybe he’s just not the brightest? Thank you in advance

Just an update for y’all! Short answer: he’s an idiot and a typical brother I also realized maybe they’re getting antsy being in my room all night, so now when I wake up around 5/6am I’ll open the door to let them roam and play, and I go back to bed. I’m just not comfortable leaving my door open all night (you know how anxiety goes, a burglar might break in the night I decide to leave my door open) but this seems to help, so I don’t think it’s anything beyond just a typical brother+sister relationship. Appreciate all the feedback!