In accommodations with multiple cats, you may see them chasing each other and fighting each other. It is difficult to decide in an instant whether it is play or fight, and it is dangerous for guests who do not know the normal relationship to stop it with their hands.
Look at the flow, not just one scene
During play, the chaser and the chased may switch places, there may be short pauses, and the cat may return on its own after leaving. However, this alone cannot guarantee safety.
If only one animal continues to hide, is blocking the passage, has a stiff body, continues to make loud threatening noises, has hair flying, or shows injuries, please notify the staff.
You can’t judge just by whether or not a voice came out. Even if it is quiet, one animal may not move, and even if there is a short voice, it may end up keeping its distance. Ears, tail, posture, course, and pauses will be looked at together, but there is no need for guests to draw conclusions.
Guidelines for communicating to staff
If you see the following conditions, do not move the cat and notify the staff.
- One animal has been chased for a long time and cannot come out of its hiding place.
- I have a cat who can’t get near the dishes, toilet, or aisles.
- Bleeding, movement to protect the leg, and abnormal breathing are visible.
- Big threats continue and I can’t keep my distance
- Using people or the guest room as a place to escape
If you don’t know the cat’s name, the color, collar, location, and time of day will suffice. Don’t conclude that they were fighting, but tell them the movements you saw in order.
Do not break in with your hands or body
Reaching between cats, picking them up, or separating them with your feet can lead to injuries to humans and cats. Also avoid yelling, throwing things, and using flashlights.
Tell the hotel staff the location, time, and which cat moved in which direction. Please keep a safe distance when taking videos.
See escape routes and resources
Look around high places, hiding places, doorways, eating utensils, and sleeping areas to see if one is blocking the path. Guests do not change the environment by moving furniture or doors; management is left to the inn.
Even if a cat runs into someone’s lap or the guest room, we will not let you face the cat that chased you. Wait for the staff to guide you.
It is at the guest’s discretion to add dishes or toys to distract the animal, or to isolate the animal by closing the door. Leave the cat to an inn that understands the relationships between cats, medications, and living areas.
Don’t provoke it even if it looks like play
Even if the chase looks like fun, avoid throwing toys, yelling your name, or running to participate. Guests should clear their path in hallways and stairs and wait until the cat has calmed down before moving.
We don’t make them repeat themselves to record videos or add provocative descriptions of “fights” for social media. Please also check the shooting and posting rules before publishing to avoid misunderstandings about the cat and the inn.
When watching with children
Do not encourage, chase, or try to stop the cat, and keep a distance with adults. I also tell them not to take close-up shots of cats’ behavior to make funny videos.
Summary
The chase is viewed in terms of the overall flow, including substitutions and pauses. Still, there is no need for guests to establish whether it is play or fight. If you’re concerned, don’t intervene and tell the staff who know about the cat’s daily life.
Related articles
Reference materials
Note: Even in the event of an emergency, please follow the inn’s instructions and do not separate the cats by hand.
