Ragdoll Cat Forums

Hi friends,

As most of you know we are introducing lovely little Toby to Nikitas home this week,
We are taking it real slow and things seem to be progressing well,

I am having great trouble being sure if some of the interaction is play ,(always supervised of course)

Little Toby will get under the recliner and teases Nikita, Nikita cant fit under there anymore

They will paw at each other, Toby will stick a paw out and Niki will go for it but not in a way that seems she wants to hurt him,
Nikitas body language is telling me that she is actually playing, no swishing tail or flat ears,no hissing,

Niki is still very young really (only just out of kittenhood herself) and I am hoping they are actually playing, that would be another milestone,

I know it is hard for anybody to really answer this question without being here but interested in hearing experiences, this is actually my first time introducing cats, I have only ever had one at a time before,

JanH, you dont want to spend a week in Australia do you?

Hi Paul,
it definitely sounds like playing to me. When we introduced Hershey to our Lissy she would always hiss or growl when he just came close to her. Or her hair on her back would stand up, then you knew she wasn't friendly. It sounds like your two are friends already in such a short time. It took Lissy 5 weeks to finally come around and start playing with Hershey. Maybe because she was a bit older already (4 years ) and not a raggie either. Now they are playing hard, chasing and knocking each other over. So, don't worry I think your two are having fun together already. Keep the pictures coming, Toby sure is a cutie pie !

Yes, this is exploratory interaction and the beginning of play. It is play without enough comfort to actually jump on each other, but that will soon happen. And one may be more ready than the other, which can result in hissing and slapping. All sounds good.

The idea of spending a week or more in Australia is a pleasant one. The idea of getting there is not. ; )

That's so awesome to hear that they're starting to play at this stage...so soon! Sounds like Nikita was meant to have a little brother in the house!!!

It sounds like play, but a video clip would make it easier to tell lol.

George plays with the kittens, but he's too rough sometimes. I think he thinks he's as small as the little rugrats... or that they're as big as he is... which isnt the case. He plays too rough, but he doesnt mean to. My point is that it may look like its aggression, but if the body language says its play, then it likely is.

sounds like play to me too. I do know when I got George I used to worry cause they would jump on each other. I used to pull them apart. My vet assured me that it was normal and the sooner I stopped pulling them apart the better. lol He did explain that they sometimes will try and "see who is boss" and to let them work that out on their own. Never any hisses or anything like that tho. Now they are so funny. They play and nap together it is sweet. Give it time...it sounds like they are already doing well.

Thanks so much for your responses guys,

Niki has one whole load of patience for sure,
Now that Niki has indicated to Toby that he can go that bit further he is now doing star jumps onto her bellie when she is bellie up,
Wow, he is a game boy, Niki didnt even hiss but does give a warning meow sometimes which I think is saying,

"Hey, just because I have given you an inch, dont take the mile just yet little guy!"