Play: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Abstract

Play is an important part of cats’ wellbeing, and in a multi-cat household it can provide exercise and enhance social bonds. Cat guardians should be able to recognize when play is healthy and when it is showing signs of turning into non-play aggression so that they can take steps to redirect before harm is done. This article explains some play solicitation behaviors in kittens and adult cats and illustrates with video how to distinguish sociable play, aggressive behavior that might be mistaken for play, and behaviors that are intended as play but are potentially dangerous because of a mismatch in individual play style.