It is difficult to think about cats, so graceful and lithe, without also thinking about their playfulness. The sight of a small kitten leaping and pouncing sideways onto a ball, her eyes round and surprised, makes us laugh. A cat may interrupt a quiet afternoon of reading by chewing the corner of our magazine. Feline play is adorable and endearing -- and of course, as cat owners can attest, quite frustrating at times.
As common as it is, the reasons for play behavior are not entirely understood. As with most mammals, play is seen most frequently in young cats. Among other things, it is believed to serve as practice for social and predatory behaviors that will be critical later in life. Researchers have found that kittens begin to play at approximately four weeks of age, spending most of their time playing with one another. Wrestling with other kittens helps shape the skills needed later to establish social systems with other mature cats. By the age of seven to eight weeks, kittens transfer their attention from such social play to predatory play with inanimate objects.
With all the importance that play holds in the life of a young cat, it is perhaps no surprise that inappropriate or excessive play is a common behavior problem. Seen most frequently in young kittens and juvenile cats (whose poor, unassuming owners are the "victims"), play-related aggression can be a troubling problem. Their human "prey" complain of cats pouncing on feet as they walk by, or otherwise biting, clawing and kicking while the cat is being handled or petted. Although there is no vicious intent in this behavior, it can be painful.
What can be done about play-related aggression? This common problem is actually quite easy to resolve. First, remember that kittens and cats need to play. By writing down the general times and patterns of your own cats play, you should be able to predict when and in what she is likely to "attack." Distract her with toys (homemade toys are fine!) such as feathers or cloth strips dangling from sticks, catnip-filled mice, or bell and wind-up toys. A bucket filled with crumpled paper or Ping-Pong balls is a very useful distracter, placed in areas where the kitten has previously stalked and pounced on assorted feet. As she starts to stalk, throw a ball down the stairs for her. Discipline, in the form of a water pistol (misting bottles are generally too gentle), may be useful if necessary, but redirecting her play-aggression will be more convincing to your cat. Because some kittens start to bite and kick playfully while they are being petted, it may help to limit the duration of petting until your kitten matures a little more. Finally, feeding the main part of your cat's daily diet at a time she otherwise might be attacking your ankles can greatly reduce the aggression.
Would another kitten solve the problem? Well, it might -- but it might not. If you have already decided to add another cat to your home, now is the time to do it; two kittens will often keep each other physically occupied. But if the decision is based entirely on reducing your current cat's play-aggression, it may not be a good enough reason to obtain a second cat. Remember, the problem may not improve, and you might end up with two predators instead of one!
As common as it is, the reasons for play behavior are not entirely understood. As with most mammals, play is seen most frequently in young cats. Among other things, it is believed to serve as practice for social and predatory behaviors that will be critical later in life. Researchers have found that kittens begin to play at approximately four weeks of age, spending most of their time playing with one another. Wrestling with other kittens helps shape the skills needed later to establish social systems with other mature cats. By the age of seven to eight weeks, kittens transfer their attention from such social play to predatory play with inanimate objects.
With all the importance that play holds in the life of a young cat, it is perhaps no surprise that inappropriate or excessive play is a common behavior problem. Seen most frequently in young kittens and juvenile cats (whose poor, unassuming owners are the "victims"), play-related aggression can be a troubling problem. Their human "prey" complain of cats pouncing on feet as they walk by, or otherwise biting, clawing and kicking while the cat is being handled or petted. Although there is no vicious intent in this behavior, it can be painful.
What can be done about play-related aggression? This common problem is actually quite easy to resolve. First, remember that kittens and cats need to play. By writing down the general times and patterns of your own cats play, you should be able to predict when and in what she is likely to "attack." Distract her with toys (homemade toys are fine!) such as feathers or cloth strips dangling from sticks, catnip-filled mice, or bell and wind-up toys. A bucket filled with crumpled paper or Ping-Pong balls is a very useful distracter, placed in areas where the kitten has previously stalked and pounced on assorted feet. As she starts to stalk, throw a ball down the stairs for her. Discipline, in the form of a water pistol (misting bottles are generally too gentle), may be useful if necessary, but redirecting her play-aggression will be more convincing to your cat. Because some kittens start to bite and kick playfully while they are being petted, it may help to limit the duration of petting until your kitten matures a little more. Finally, feeding the main part of your cat's daily diet at a time she otherwise might be attacking your ankles can greatly reduce the aggression.
Would another kitten solve the problem? Well, it might -- but it might not. If you have already decided to add another cat to your home, now is the time to do it; two kittens will often keep each other physically occupied. But if the decision is based entirely on reducing your current cat's play-aggression, it may not be a good enough reason to obtain a second cat. Remember, the problem may not improve, and you might end up with two predators instead of one!
