Behavior Log Play or Fight Decision Guide

Keeping a simple behavior log helps you tell if cats are playing or actually fighting. A behavior log is a short, consistent record of interactions, vocal cues, posture, and any injuries. For new owners, a daily behavior log—just a few lines—reveals patterns, triggers, and escalation. This guide gives clear, health-focused principles and a 14 day checklist to record and decide safely.

One sentence answer

• Keep a behavior log and prioritize safety: play is reciprocal and brief, fights escalate, avoid harm and consult your vet if injuries or repeated escalation occur.

Core principles

• Prevent injury by supervising introductions and stopping interactions that cause fear or wounds.
• Provide predictable spaces: separate feeding, resting, and litter areas to reduce competition.
• Use interruption tools (toys, sound) not punishment to break escalation cycles.
• Record consistently: a behavior log with time, players, triggers, and outcomes uncovers repeat patterns.
• Partner with your veterinarian; documented incidents help with triage and behavior referrals.

New owner 14 day checklist

1. Day 0 arrival: Set up zones—food/water away from litter, quiet sleeping zone, vertical perches. Let cats explore separately first.
2. Days 1–3 calm exposure: Use doors or gates for sight-only meetings; avoid forced face-to-face contact.
3. Days 2–5 supervised short sessions: Play together with wand toys; note who initiates and how the other responds.
4. Start a behavior log on day 1: record date, time, participants, what happened, vocal cues, and any injuries. Keep entries short.
5. Track routines: log feeding, play, and sleep times to see whether timing correlates with incidents.
6. On signs of bulging fur, flattened ears, or one-sided chasing, separate calmly and note this in your behavior log.
7. Use scent swapping and short positive visits; record which techniques reduce stress or trigger agitation.
8. If rough play becomes one-sided, increase supervised play sessions and note recurrence in the behavior log.
9. Photograph any scratches or wounds and log treatment steps and healing progress.
10. Monitor appetite and litter use daily; add these notes to the behavior log to spot health links.
11. Keep a weight record (weekly) and note sudden changes in the behavior log.
12. By day 14 review entries: look for patterns (time of day, toy type, which cat starts). Decide if you can continue management or need behavior help.
13. If unsure, call your vet with the behavior log summary; bring copies or photos for the appointment.

Common mistakes and fixes

• Mistake: Ignoring subtle signals → Fix: Log small cues like tail flicks and ears back to catch escalation early and update the behavior log.
• Mistake: Punishing after the event → Fix: Use prevention and redirection to stop escalation before it starts.
• Mistake: One-size introductions → Fix: Slow, staged steps with records let you tailor progress.

When to consult a vet

• Consult your veterinarian immediately for injuries, bleeding, sudden lameness, or if refusal to eat >24 hours.
• Seek advice when fights cause wounds, when cats show marked lethargy, breathing trouble, or if young or geriatric cats are involved; bring your behavior log to clinical visits.

Disclaimer

• This article is informational and not medical advice; consult your veterinarian for clinical concerns.