Watching intently before taking off. This is part of play aggression.
Cats love to play. They stalk, chase, pounce, bite and scratch just about anything and anyone they see. This is normal behavior. It is part of their play aggression. This is how they learn to chase and catch prey such as mice. What is not normal is when these behaviors appear to take over, and this is all your cat seems to do.
Sometimes, your cat may use play aggression as a method of ‘paying you back’ for leaving them alone for too long. This sort of play aggression should not last very long, and if you make a fuss of your cat and play back with it, this will help. Play aggression could also be reinforced by owners who enjoyed letting their cat ‘attack’ their hands and feet, all the time. It becomes a problem when this is taken to extremes. While it might be cute in your kitten, this is not the case in adult cats.
You need to learn your cat’s body language and recognize the signs of cats that are planning to or are being outright aggressive. Keep in mind that typical play aggression will look like aggressive behavior, so it is up to you to learn the difference.
Cats love to stalk their owners and pounce on moving body parts such as hands and feet. This is a fun game to them. You need to train your cat to understand when to stop. Giving commands such as “no” in a firm but gentle voice, or removing yourself from the cat at the same time will help in this training. You can also pick your cat up and cuddle it to signal the end of the play time.
During play aggression there should be no growling or hissing. However, if you notice your cat’s pupils are widely dilated, it is time to back off. You may receive the occasional bite or scratch during play aggression, but these will be minor. Your cat might also dig his claws into your skin, but in play aggression it would be rare for him to break the skin.
If your cat does start to hiss or growl while he is playing and this is completely out of character for him, try to find the cause for this behavior. Is he in pain? Perhaps he is ill, or hurting somewhere. Check his body for any unusual lumps or bumps, or grass seeds that may be causing him problems. Of course, seek advice from your vet if you are unsure about a problem.
Cats will usually give a warning such as a growl or a gentle nip if they have had enough play. Learn to tell the difference between the different types of aggression your cat displays. Act early to stop true, aggressive behavior. You must make sure your cat knows who is the ‘alpha’ or number-one person in the relationship. This must be you.
If you are still having problems with your cat’s aggression, I suggest you read ‘The Power of Play’ in *Cat Secrets Revealed.
