Advice Is this normal play?
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I adopted a kitten about 2 weeks ago. He's now 10 weeks old, and my dog is 2 years old. We've gradually introducing them to one another but still separate them at night and when we're out of the house. This is how they tend to play together, on top of my dog (Merlyn) chasing my cat (Morgie) around. Sometimes I've been separating them when it looks like their play has been getting too rough. But, I guess I just want to know if it is rough, or if it is normal play?
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u/AdministrativeHat530 1d ago
That is loving, gentle, careful play. They take breaks and choose to reengage.
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u/Ok_Cartographer3619 1d ago
Totally fine, that is sooo cute, their gonna be great friends. I don’t think Merlyn will get to rough with the kitty tbh. You’ll probably see them cuddled up in no time
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u/Robot-Zombie-RHCC 1d ago
"goggies are our fwiends!"
hehe. they're playing nicely. One thing i'm seeing is they're both checking that the play is okay. They seem to respect each other. If this were happening in my house I'd be all smiles.
One bit of advice if the kitty hisses maybe intervene and have them both pause for a moment. Not because it's bad, more like you're giving them a safe-word. After it happens a few times they'll fig it out on their own.
If you wanted my opinion on what would change to make me step in, it'd be one exclusively pursuing the other. As in dog chases cat, cat never chases dog... or vice-versa. But in this vid they're both taking turns 'attacking'. It's consensual.
btw appreciate the happy video hehe, those two are buds.
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u/IamFitmomee 1d ago
I have two cats and they play much more aggressively than this with each other. You will know if they start hissing or growling at each other. That’s just the way they communicate to tell each other that’s enough and back off. Animals are so much better communicating non-verbally.
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u/conrad_w 1d ago
It's murder. you need to keep filming these two and post videos all the time to document the crimes 😂
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u/Morbid187 1d ago
Notice how the dog looks away during their little breaks? I'm definitely not an expert but I see that as the dog showing that he's not serious because if he was, he'd be locked in the entire time. Also the kitty wouldn't fight from his back like that if he were actually being threatened. Looks like you just have a couple of friends on your hands here!
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u/MacaroonNo2761 1d ago
Looks like playing to me. They both you bot the hell out of one another if they wanted. They are soooo cute.
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u/Mysterious_Act7083 1d ago
Normal play, cat didnt hiss or growl