Emma and Muffin at war

[catland]

I've also seen different cat behavior when I'm in the room vs. when they think I'm not looking.

Sid and Joxer are my two classic examples. Joxer is the submissive one, he'll approach Sid, lower his head, and act all subservient, at which point Sid baps Joxer on the head and hisses at him with a look of disgust.

Later, if they think I'm not looking, I can find them playing with each other, like they're best friends. I can't let Sid know that I'm looking though, or he gets self-conscience and the game is over.

They're so funny

And that's just one set of dynamics! I've noticed that the cat dynamics seem to go in pairs, so I have the following:

Sid & Jan
Sid & Joxer
Sid & Quincy
Jan & Joxer
Jan & Quincy
Joxer & Quincy

I could write an essay on each pairing, because the dynamics of each are unique.

I love my kitties!

[toughCookie]

that is so funny that they play when they think you aren't looking!

[toughCookie]

tonight, I saw Emma and Muffin run into the room, and Emma was cowering in the corner, and Muffin was staring at her! I thought ok maybe I am wrong and watched for a few minutes. yep, sure enough, Emma was doing that squinty eyed thing, you know, the blinking like scared? and Muffin batted at her! I was so surprised, because as most of you probably know from my recent posts, Emma has been like the big cat around here. what could have brought this on?? I wish I could have seen what happend, Emma must have really ticked off Muffin...well I am glad Muffin is not scared of her but I don't want Emma to be either...

has anyone ever seen a reverse of behavior like this? any ideas?

[toughCookie]

well now I am confused again! tonight Emma ran up to Muffin and really batted her one on the head! she thought Muffin was after Patches! and Muffin didn't react, just kept going where she was going...anyone else ever have cats act this way?

[AmberLee]

Behaving unexpectedly? Ignoring provocation (occasionally)? Look out for one another? Well, the first two, yes. Sounds like the cats are maturing into (mysterious) cats. I want to tell you to take two aspirin and expect them to change again by morning. They are delightful creatures, but not the most predictable things around.

[catland]

Originally posted by toughCookie
has anyone ever seen a reverse of behavior like this? any ideas?

ALL THE TIME. That's how I know that they don't really hate each other and are just playing. It can be just too funny sometimes. I've resigned myself to the fact that there are certain cat rules that only other cats understand, and it's not my place to tell them how to behave to each other (as long as no one is actually hurt).

I just sit back and enjoy the show.

[sasvermont]

You know, there is never a dull moment around the house if you have a multiple cat household. Even a single cat household!

My three change off hitting, hissing and swatting at each other. Sometimes it is Gabe doing the screaming and other times its Miley....seldom Graemer....but then sometimes Miley will bite the hell out of Graemer. Go figure. Its like having a house full of teenagers. The kitten stuff is over, now its the serious stuff. I have yet to see any blood. Its their form of entertainment/placement within the household/playing/fighting/you name it kind of behavior!

Sit back and enjoy it! and remember.... Cats don't play "Fair"....
they just play.

[AmberLee]

Originally posted by sasvermont
...remember.... Cats don't play "Fair".... they just play...

SAS: I LOVE that quote. Great one! Thanks! I'll repeat it as a mantra next time the kids declare WWIII around here.

[toughCookie]

thanks, so I can just expect the unexpected then right? ooookk
Muffin is 2 1/2 years old, Emma and Louise are 1 year old and Charlie is 5 months, Patches is 4 1/2 months old. interesting, all ages. Muffin still acts like a kitten at times. youre right, never a dull moment around here! years from now there won't be such a difference in ages, like when they are 7, 5, and 4... or will there?

[tuxluvr]

My hats off to you multi-cat servants out there! Knowing Ritzy's mood swings as an only cat, I can only imagine the fur-flying events if we lost our senses and brought another beastie into the mix.

She gets perturbed when the neighbor cat comes over and sits too close to the patio door!