Also called · cat nipping · ankle attacks · the 3am zoomies
What it looks like
- Pounces on moving hands and feet
- Hides and springs out
- Catches insects and birds and brings them to you
Why it happens
They are not catching it to eat it
Even a well-fed house cat catches birds, mice and insects, or brings them to the owner. They are not necessarily catching them because they want to eat, so it is attributed to the hunting instinct rather than a nutritional need. For the same reason they target moving hands and feet.
This is an animal that must hunt many times a day
Cats can only catch prey much smaller than themselves, so they have to hunt several times a day. At roughly 30 kcal per mouse, a 4 kg adult cat’s daily requirement takes 10 to 11 of them. Frequent hunting attempts are normal.
What to do
Increase toy play
The basic measure is to increase play with toys to satisfy the hunting instinct. Short sessions, several times, and let them finish by catching it.
Never use your hands as the toy
Once hands become prey, that lesson sticks. Separate the target from the start with a wand toy.
Make food take time
Food toys and hiding kibble restore the search process, which uses up the surplus energy.
Watch out for
Cats almost never show the food-defending aggression dogs do. Hunting play and bowl aggression are different problems.
See a vet if
Real injuries, repeatedly, rather than play
Aggression that worsened suddenly — rule out pain and illness
Common questions
Hunting is attributed to instinct rather than hunger, so more food will not reduce it. Meeting it through play is the answer.
Was this useful?
General behaviour and nutrition information. It does not replace diagnosis or prescription. Similar behaviour does not always have the same cause, and the cause is not necessarily diet or environment — have a vet rule out illness first, and consult a behaviour specialist where needed.