Practical feline behaviour understanding cat behaviour and improving welfare

Kitten to Cat 73

Guyot et al. 1980 found that kittens raised without littermates may be more
aggressive and be slower to learn social communication skills, indicating that
social play with littermates is an important part of behavioural and social
development.

Table 5.2. Social play signals in kittens.

Play signal Age first seen Description

Belly up
(Fig. 5.4a)

21–23 Days Kitten lies on its back using all four feet to paw at or ‘fight
with’ another kitten standing over it
Stand up
(Fig. 5.4a)

23–26 Days Standing over another kitten, pawing at or directing inhibited
bites towards the head or neck of the other kitten
Side-step
(Fig. 5.4b)

32–34 Days Walks sideways with back arched and tail curved upwards,
usually with focus of attention towards another kitten
Pounce
(Fig. 5.4c)

33–35 Days Initially crouches and then pounces upon or towards
another kitten. May be used to initiate play
Chase
(Fig. 5.4c)

38–41 Days Running after or away from another kitten

Horizontal leap 41–46 Days Kitten side on to another kitten; arches back, curves tail
upwards and leaps up
Face-off
(Fig. 5.4d)

42–48 Days Sits near another kitten and bats or swipes at the other

kitten

From West, 1974.

(a)

(c) (d)

(b)

Fig. 5.4. Social play. (a) Belly-up and stand-up; (b) side-step; (c) pounce and chase; and
(d) face-off.