Strange behavior that I have never seen

Hello all,

I am new to posting here, having just discovered this group. I've had
kitties since I moved away from home in 1993 (after college). My male cat,
Murray, 10, died last Mother's Day of heart failure. Apparently he had a
congenital defect that no other vet ever caught. Poor baby. He was the
best cat.

That left me with my female, Boo, who is also 10. She seemed a bit lonely
but made the adjustment well. She'd probably like to be an only cat, but
recently that changed when we adopted two cats from shelters.

Bilbo is a male domestic long hair, age 3, neutered. He came from a foster
home where he lived with 3 other foster cats in their own room (the owner
has her own cats too). He is a very sweet, passive cat, or at least I
thought he was. He seems afraid of Boo, who hissed and growled at him at
first but after almost a week seems to be getting used to him. So that's
working out. He was adopted last Sunday. His only problem is one peeing
(not spraying) incident in a beanbag we had in the family room. We surmised
that Boo scared him away from the catbox and he just had to go. It hasn't
happened again.

Now, enter Sam. He was brought home on Wednesday. He's a 6 month old
domestic short hair kitten, neutered. He's very cheerful and easygoing as
well, with a relatively mellow personality for a kitten. He's playful, but
now overly so. He seems to be adjusting much better than Bilbo and is not
afraid of Boo. He grew up in a shelter of 500 cats (a no-kill with a huge
facility), so he's used to being hissed at, etc. He takes it all in stride.

Today Bilbo and Sam were doing something odd that I've not seen before.
Bilbo was on top of Sam, holding him by the scruff of his neck with his
mouth, and pinning him to the floor. He was not growling, hissing, or
otherwise acting angry. Sam just laid down and took it. He did this
several times, from the back and then from the side, holding him down with
his paw and the mouth thing. Sam did not protest. After this, Sam started
walking around "talking" and I thought he was hurt or upset, but no, he hung
around Bilbo and tried to play with him. They engaged in a little batting
about of paws and then Sam lied down on his back and purred (loudly). No
fighting.

Two questions: What could this be? Are they just playing? Bilbo didn't
seem to be playing, but not fighting either, so I'm not sure. He's kind of
a serious cat, so maybe this is his idea of playing? Also, we put a topical
(Hartz) flea treatment on all three cats last night as we saw fleas on both
the new ones. When Bilbo grabbed Sam by the scruff of the neck he had his
mouth on the area where the treatment went. Will this make him sick? I
assume it had soaked in by this a.m., but I'm a little concerned.

Thanks in advance for any help! I'm sure I'll be a regular poster now with
such odd (to me, at least) goings on : ).

Dawn
Boo (F-10), Bilbo (M-3), and Sam (M-6 months)

In article 0QTNb.5755$A74.5145@fed1read02,
enlightened us with...
snip

Bilbo and Sam.
Very cute. hehe
LOTR fan, eh?

Today Bilbo and Sam were doing something odd that I've not seen before.
Bilbo was on top of Sam, holding him by the scruff of his neck with his
mouth, and pinning him to the floor. He was not growling, hissing, or
otherwise acting angry. Sam just laid down and took it. He did this
several times, from the back and then from the side, holding him down with
his paw and the mouth thing. Sam did not protest. After this, Sam started
walking around "talking" and I thought he was hurt or upset, but no, he hung
around Bilbo and tried to play with him. They engaged in a little batting
about of paws and then Sam lied down on his back and purred (loudly). No
fighting.

Two questions: What could this be?

Could be playing. If it were a female, I'd say discipline, but I've not
seen that from male cats.
Male cats will also mount this way, but I've not heard of mounting
behavior as a dominance display in cats. Dogs mount as a display of
dominance, so anything is possible.
I wouldn't worry overmuch, since there is no stress or blood.

Are they just playing? Bilbo didn't
seem to be playing, but not fighting either, so I'm not sure. He's kind of
a serious cat, so maybe this is his idea of playing? Also, we put a topical
(Hartz) flea treatment on all three cats last night as we saw fleas on both
the new ones.

Hartz is poison.
http://www.geocities.com/boycotthartz/

Got pics of the kitties?

--
--
~kaeli~
If you drink, don't park. Accidents cause people.
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace

In article 0QTNb.5755$A74.5145@fed1read02,
enlightened us with...
snip

Bilbo and Sam.
Very cute. hehe
LOTR fan, eh?

Today Bilbo and Sam were doing something odd that I've not seen before.
Bilbo was on top of Sam, holding him by the scruff of his neck with his
mouth, and pinning him to the floor. He was not growling, hissing, or
otherwise acting angry. Sam just laid down and took it. He did this
several times, from the back and then from the side, holding him down with
his paw and the mouth thing. Sam did not protest. After this, Sam started
walking around "talking" and I thought he was hurt or upset, but no, he hung
around Bilbo and tried to play with him. They engaged in a little batting
about of paws and then Sam lied down on his back and purred (loudly). No
fighting.

Two questions: What could this be?

Could be playing. If it were a female, I'd say discipline, but I've not
seen that from male cats.
Male cats will also mount this way, but I've not heard of mounting
behavior as a dominance display in cats. Dogs mount as a display of
dominance, so anything is possible.
I wouldn't worry overmuch, since there is no stress or blood.

Are they just playing? Bilbo didn't
seem to be playing, but not fighting either, so I'm not sure. He's kind of
a serious cat, so maybe this is his idea of playing? Also, we put a topical
(Hartz) flea treatment on all three cats last night as we saw fleas on both
the new ones.

Hartz is poison.
http://www.geocities.com/boycotthartz/

Got pics of the kitties?

--
--
~kaeli~
If you drink, don't park. Accidents cause people.
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace

"kaeli" wrote in message
...
In article 0QTNb.5755$A74.5145@fed1read02,
enlightened us with...
snip

Bilbo and Sam.
Very cute. hehe
LOTR fan, eh?

Today Bilbo and Sam were doing something odd that I've not seen before.
Bilbo was on top of Sam, holding him by the scruff of his neck with his
mouth, and pinning him to the floor. He was not growling, hissing, or
otherwise acting angry. Sam just laid down and took it. He did this
several times, from the back and then from the side, holding him down
with
his paw and the mouth thing. Sam did not protest. After this, Sam
started
walking around "talking" and I thought he was hurt or upset, but no, he
hung
around Bilbo and tried to play with him. They engaged in a little
batting
about of paws and then Sam lied down on his back and purred (loudly).
No
fighting.

Two questions: What could this be?

Could be playing. If it were a female, I'd say discipline, but I've not
seen that from male cats.
Male cats will also mount this way, but I've not heard of mounting
behavior as a dominance display in cats. Dogs mount as a display of
dominance, so anything is possible.
I wouldn't worry overmuch, since there is no stress or blood.

Are they just playing? Bilbo didn't
seem to be playing, but not fighting either, so I'm not sure. He's kind
of
a serious cat, so maybe this is his idea of playing? Also, we put a
topical
(Hartz) flea treatment on all three cats last night as we saw fleas on
both
the new ones.

Hartz is poison.
http://www.geocities.com/boycotthartz/

Got pics of the kitties?

--
Thanks for your reply, Kaeli. They seem to be playing in earnest now, so I
guess that's ok. But now I am freaking out about the Hartz thing. I had no
idea it was a different ingredient. My husband, ever the cheapskate, picked
it over Advantage b/c of cost, I am sure. I assumed it was the same
ingredient. Well, we put it on last night so I'm sure the damage is done.
I washed their necks thoroughly but I guess I just have to hope that they
are ok. They seem fine thus far, but I would die if one of my kitties got
sick because of our stupidity.

No pics developed yet, but I'll post a link when I get them done.

Thanks again!

Dawn

"kaeli" wrote in message
...
In article 0QTNb.5755$A74.5145@fed1read02,
enlightened us with...
snip

Bilbo and Sam.
Very cute. hehe
LOTR fan, eh?

Today Bilbo and Sam were doing something odd that I've not seen before.
Bilbo was on top of Sam, holding him by the scruff of his neck with his
mouth, and pinning him to the floor. He was not growling, hissing, or
otherwise acting angry. Sam just laid down and took it. He did this
several times, from the back and then from the side, holding him down
with
his paw and the mouth thing. Sam did not protest. After this, Sam
started
walking around "talking" and I thought he was hurt or upset, but no, he
hung
around Bilbo and tried to play with him. They engaged in a little
batting
about of paws and then Sam lied down on his back and purred (loudly).
No
fighting.

Two questions: What could this be?

Could be playing. If it were a female, I'd say discipline, but I've not
seen that from male cats.
Male cats will also mount this way, but I've not heard of mounting
behavior as a dominance display in cats. Dogs mount as a display of
dominance, so anything is possible.
I wouldn't worry overmuch, since there is no stress or blood.

Are they just playing? Bilbo didn't
seem to be playing, but not fighting either, so I'm not sure. He's kind
of
a serious cat, so maybe this is his idea of playing? Also, we put a
topical
(Hartz) flea treatment on all three cats last night as we saw fleas on
both
the new ones.

Hartz is poison.
http://www.geocities.com/boycotthartz/

Got pics of the kitties?

--
Thanks for your reply, Kaeli. They seem to be playing in earnest now, so I
guess that's ok. But now I am freaking out about the Hartz thing. I had no
idea it was a different ingredient. My husband, ever the cheapskate, picked
it over Advantage b/c of cost, I am sure. I assumed it was the same
ingredient. Well, we put it on last night so I'm sure the damage is done.
I washed their necks thoroughly but I guess I just have to hope that they
are ok. They seem fine thus far, but I would die if one of my kitties got
sick because of our stupidity.

No pics developed yet, but I'll post a link when I get them done.

Thanks again!

Dawn

"kaeli" wrote in message
...
In article 0QTNb.5755$A74.5145@fed1read02,
enlightened us with...
snip

Bilbo and Sam.
Very cute. hehe
LOTR fan, eh?

Today Bilbo and Sam were doing something odd that I've not seen before.
Bilbo was on top of Sam, holding him by the scruff of his neck with his
mouth, and pinning him to the floor. He was not growling, hissing, or
otherwise acting angry. Sam just laid down and took it. He did this
several times, from the back and then from the side, holding him down
with
his paw and the mouth thing. Sam did not protest. After this, Sam
started
walking around "talking" and I thought he was hurt or upset, but no, he
hung
around Bilbo and tried to play with him. They engaged in a little
batting
about of paws and then Sam lied down on his back and purred (loudly).
No
fighting.

Two questions: What could this be?

Could be playing. If it were a female, I'd say discipline, but I've not
seen that from male cats.
Male cats will also mount this way, but I've not heard of mounting
behavior as a dominance display in cats. Dogs mount as a display of
dominance, so anything is possible.
I wouldn't worry overmuch, since there is no stress or blood.

Are they just playing? Bilbo didn't
seem to be playing, but not fighting either, so I'm not sure. He's kind
of
a serious cat, so maybe this is his idea of playing? Also, we put a
topical
(Hartz) flea treatment on all three cats last night as we saw fleas on
both
the new ones.

Hartz is poison.
http://www.geocities.com/boycotthartz/

Got pics of the kitties?

--
Thanks for your reply, Kaeli. They seem to be playing in earnest now, so I
guess that's ok. But now I am freaking out about the Hartz thing. I had no
idea it was a different ingredient. My husband, ever the cheapskate, picked
it over Advantage b/c of cost, I am sure. I assumed it was the same
ingredient. Well, we put it on last night so I'm sure the damage is done.
I washed their necks thoroughly but I guess I just have to hope that they
are ok. They seem fine thus far, but I would die if one of my kitties got
sick because of our stupidity.

No pics developed yet, but I'll post a link when I get them done.

Thanks again!

Dawn

On Fri, 16 Jan 2004 10:43:40 -0600, kaeli
wrote:

In article 0QTNb.5755$A74.5145@fed1read02,
enlightened us with...
snip

Bilbo and Sam.
Very cute. hehe
LOTR fan, eh?

Today Bilbo and Sam were doing something odd that I've not seen before.
Bilbo was on top of Sam, holding him by the scruff of his neck with his
mouth, and pinning him to the floor. He was not growling, hissing, or
otherwise acting angry. Sam just laid down and took it. He did this
several times, from the back and then from the side, holding him down with
his paw and the mouth thing. Sam did not protest. After this, Sam started
walking around "talking" and I thought he was hurt or upset, but no, he hung
around Bilbo and tried to play with him. They engaged in a little batting
about of paws and then Sam lied down on his back and purred (loudly). No
fighting.

Two questions: What could this be?

Could be playing. If it were a female, I'd say discipline, but I've not
seen that from male cats.
Male cats will also mount this way, but I've not heard of mounting
behavior as a dominance display in cats. Dogs mount as a display of
dominance, so anything is possible.
I wouldn't worry overmuch, since there is no stress or blood.

Are they just playing? Bilbo didn't
seem to be playing, but not fighting either, so I'm not sure. He's kind of
a serious cat, so maybe this is his idea of playing? Also, we put a topical
(Hartz) flea treatment on all three cats last night as we saw fleas on both
the new ones.

Hartz is poison.
http://www.geocities.com/boycotthartz/

Got pics of the kitties?

--
Suggestion: do some research on the Hartz product. There have been
quite a few recently saying cats have died after its use. I have
never used their product, but I figure "where there is smoke, here is
fire" and would never try it.

The activity you mention sounds like cat play -- after all, their
"play" is pretend fighting.

Good luck with your kids.

On Fri, 16 Jan 2004 10:43:40 -0600, kaeli
wrote:

In article 0QTNb.5755$A74.5145@fed1read02,
enlightened us with...
snip

Bilbo and Sam.
Very cute. hehe
LOTR fan, eh?

Today Bilbo and Sam were doing something odd that I've not seen before.
Bilbo was on top of Sam, holding him by the scruff of his neck with his
mouth, and pinning him to the floor. He was not growling, hissing, or
otherwise acting angry. Sam just laid down and took it. He did this
several times, from the back and then from the side, holding him down with
his paw and the mouth thing. Sam did not protest. After this, Sam started
walking around "talking" and I thought he was hurt or upset, but no, he hung
around Bilbo and tried to play with him. They engaged in a little batting
about of paws and then Sam lied down on his back and purred (loudly). No
fighting.

Two questions: What could this be?

Could be playing. If it were a female, I'd say discipline, but I've not
seen that from male cats.
Male cats will also mount this way, but I've not heard of mounting
behavior as a dominance display in cats. Dogs mount as a display of
dominance, so anything is possible.
I wouldn't worry overmuch, since there is no stress or blood.

Are they just playing? Bilbo didn't
seem to be playing, but not fighting either, so I'm not sure. He's kind of
a serious cat, so maybe this is his idea of playing? Also, we put a topical
(Hartz) flea treatment on all three cats last night as we saw fleas on both
the new ones.

Hartz is poison.
http://www.geocities.com/boycotthartz/

Got pics of the kitties?

--
Suggestion: do some research on the Hartz product. There have been
quite a few recently saying cats have died after its use. I have
never used their product, but I figure "where there is smoke, here is
fire" and would never try it.

The activity you mention sounds like cat play -- after all, their
"play" is pretend fighting.

Good luck with your kids.

On Fri, 16 Jan 2004 10:43:40 -0600, kaeli
wrote:

In article 0QTNb.5755$A74.5145@fed1read02,
enlightened us with...
snip

Bilbo and Sam.
Very cute. hehe
LOTR fan, eh?

Today Bilbo and Sam were doing something odd that I've not seen before.
Bilbo was on top of Sam, holding him by the scruff of his neck with his
mouth, and pinning him to the floor. He was not growling, hissing, or
otherwise acting angry. Sam just laid down and took it. He did this
several times, from the back and then from the side, holding him down with
his paw and the mouth thing. Sam did not protest. After this, Sam started
walking around "talking" and I thought he was hurt or upset, but no, he hung
around Bilbo and tried to play with him. They engaged in a little batting
about of paws and then Sam lied down on his back and purred (loudly). No
fighting.

Two questions: What could this be?

Could be playing. If it were a female, I'd say discipline, but I've not
seen that from male cats.
Male cats will also mount this way, but I've not heard of mounting
behavior as a dominance display in cats. Dogs mount as a display of
dominance, so anything is possible.
I wouldn't worry overmuch, since there is no stress or blood.

Are they just playing? Bilbo didn't
seem to be playing, but not fighting either, so I'm not sure. He's kind of
a serious cat, so maybe this is his idea of playing? Also, we put a topical
(Hartz) flea treatment on all three cats last night as we saw fleas on both
the new ones.

Hartz is poison.
http://www.geocities.com/boycotthartz/

Got pics of the kitties?

--
Suggestion: do some research on the Hartz product. There have been
quite a few recently saying cats have died after its use. I have
never used their product, but I figure "where there is smoke, here is
fire" and would never try it.

The activity you mention sounds like cat play -- after all, their
"play" is pretend fighting.

Good luck with your kids.

On Fri, 16 Jan 2004 11:33:42 -0700, "Stepdawn"
wrote:

Thanks for your reply, Kaeli. They seem to be playing in earnest now, so I
guess that's ok. But now I am freaking out about the Hartz thing. I had no
idea it was a different ingredient. My husband, ever the cheapskate, picked
it over Advantage b/c of cost, I am sure. I assumed it was the same
ingredient. Well, we put it on last night so I'm sure the damage is done.
I washed their necks thoroughly but I guess I just have to hope that they
are ok. They seem fine thus far, but I would die if one of my kitties got
sick because of our stupidity.

Please don't confuse stupidity with ignorance. You had no way of
knowing that Hartz was dangerous. Now that you know, you obviously
don't plan to use it again. You aren't stupid (as far as I can tell);
please don't beat yourself up over this.