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Quick Cat Behavior Tip: HumanDirected Play Aggression The PPG Cat Committee discusses the cat’s natural, predatory instincts and the need for guardians to provide an outlet for them via interactive play
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e can’t say it enough – cats need to play! Given that feline play is closely linked to the hardwired behavior of predation, cat guardians are well advised to find out what kind of play their cat prefers (e.g. chasing, jumping, pouncing etc.), as well as what types of toys they prefer (e.g. little furry animals, bouncy balls, fishing poles with feathers etc.) and take the time to engage in regular play ses sions to keep potentially humandirected aggressive play behavior at bay. And even if a cat isn't exhibiting play aggression, cat guardians can quite possibly still up their feline enrichment game — to the enormous benefit of their pet.
Important Reminders about the Behavior •
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Any behavior change could be an early sign of a medical prob lem. In all cases of aggression, a veterinary checkup is recom mended to ensure that pain or illness is not a motivating factor. Aggression has many causes that must be considered and ruled out. These include fear, anxiety, frustration, learned in appropriate play, tense relationships with cats or other ani mals in the home, illness, and pain. Play in cats is closely linked to normal and necessary instinc tive behaviors related to hunting and predation that involve stalking, chasing, ambushing, pouncing, grabbing, kicking, and biting. Movement and sound are common triggers for these predatory behaviors. Cats need to hunt! If your cat is not provided with a natural outlet to engage in predatory behavior and you never play predatory type games with her either, she may well “invent” her own games, and these may involve stalking, chasing and grabbing you. Regular, satisfying, interactive play is essential to resolving this problem.
© Can Stock Photo/logoboom
Predation and hunting are natural feline behaviors and guardians are well advised to provide outlets for them via interactive play in order to avoid humandirected aggressive play behavior
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Management and Safety Information:* •
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Watch the cat for early signs of arousal and agitation: o Tail twitching or lashing. o Head lowered and body crouched and low to the ground. o Eyes wide and fixed on the “prey” target, pupils may or may not be dilated. o Ears and whiskers forward, or ears back, flat against the head. o Skin on the back twitching or rippling. At the first sign of any of the above and BEFORE the cat pounces, redirect her with a favorite toy and give her space. Don’t try to touch or pet a cat who is already aroused. Any thing that moves near the cat is likely to be grabbed or bitten. Don’t overdo physical attention—while petting can start out calm, it can end up “nippy” as the cat gets more excited. To counter this, pick up a toy before petting the cat. As soon as she begins to get mouthy or show signs of arousal, introduce the toy. Play with her with the toy, if you can do it without getting bitten. If not, just calmly move away and leave her with the toy.
BARKS from the Guild/March 2020
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Place large items in places where the cat tends to sit and wait to ambush people to block her access. Where this isn’t possi ble, keep a container of small toys or crumpled up paper balls nearby that can be tossed to move the cat out of position and allow the person (or other pet) to safely pass by. Avoid rough play, and never use your hands or feet as toys during play. If your cat bites or grabs you, remain calm, stop all play, and calmly withdraw from the cat. Never yell at, squirt with water, chase, hit, scruff, shove, push, or use any other aggressive be haviors toward the cat. Also avoid pulling or jerking away, screaming, or squealing. These techniques either reinforce the cat’s behavior by creating drama and turning the interac tion into a game, or escalate the cat’s arousal and fear, which can increase aggression and the risk of potential injury to you. Instead: 1. Freeze and make the targeted body part go limp (like dead prey). Cats respond to movement, and by freezing and going limp, you are no longer enticing to the cat. 2. Calmly say, “Ouch.” (No need to yell—cats have excellent hearing.) Cats squeak at each other to communicate when play becomes too rough. It’s a signal many cats understand
