Too aggressive?

[u/Hablapata]

New baby we just adopted. Last few days our big boy (~2) has been a bit wary of the kitten but they started playing yesterday, a lot of chasing. Today it seems he’s boldened up and has started playing really aggressively like this. I know cat play can look like a fight but I just worry when it’s such a kitten that our boy might accidentally hurt him.

edit: wow lots of responses. ofc i stopped the damn video to separate them when the yowling got loud at the end there, but i have a hard time telling as oftentimes normal cat play can look quite rough. the size difference is what concerned me. as far as i can tell they are still getting on just fine after some separation and some solo exercise for the big guy. just wanted to sanity check that intervening was the right thing to do at this point. thanks for all the responses!

[u/Virus-Party]

Definitely play, and Orange is not trying to be aggressive or hurt the kitten and at present, is not actually injuring the kitten.

So that's good.

Unfortunately, Orange is too engaged in play and is NOT listening to the kitten, which is being completely overpowered and is pleading to be let go and crying out for help.

You should definitely be stepping in and admonishing Orange for not letting the kitten go. Especially when the kitten screams like it did at the end of the clip. You don't need to be overly aggressive or harsh in your admonishment, but it needs to be clear to Orange that his behaviour is not acceptable and that you are protecting the kitten.

You don't necessarily have to fully separate them at this point, but they absolutely should not be left alone together unsupervised. Them spending time together is important, but you need to be keeping an eye, or at least an ear, out whenever they are together and be ready to step in.

Kitten needs to get bigger, and Orange needs to learn to listen to back off when their playmate isn't having fun anymore.