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Have you ever caught your pampered kitty hunched down, tail twitching, and wide eyes locked on you as you cross the room? You’re not alone; many people have a stalker in their homes in the form of their pampered little kitty channeling their inner wild cat. Watching my cat preparing to pounce on his favorite toy never fails to put a smile on my face. In his mind, he’s a wild predator and his toy is his prey. Admittedly, it’s not as fun when his target is my ankles!
The truth is that stalking is just a part of cat nature. Cats are highly skilled predators that rely on their stealthy stalking instincts, their heightened senses, and their athletic build to hunt and catch prey for themselves and for their young. In short, they hunt to live, and although our domesticated cats get their meals served up in a ceramic bowl twice or even three times per day, their hunting instinct still comes to them naturally. But don’t worry! If your cat is stalking you, that doesn’t mean he’s eyeing you as his next meal. Rather, he’s doing it because instinct compels him to.
So, if he’s not trying to eat me, why does my cat pounce on me? There could be several reasons, but stalking and pouncing behaviors usually mean that your cat wants your attention. Boredom inspires destructive behavior in pets, and cats are no exception. While stalking and pouncing are completely normal and even healthy cat behaviors, you probably want to discourage your pet from choosing you—or someone else—as their target.
To help you do this, here are five top tips to discourage your cat from pouncing on you:
1. Avoid Accidental Reinforcement: If you give your cat attention when he pounces on you, he’ll get exactly what he wants. Your attention will be a reward that reinforces the very kind of behavior you want to avoid. Instead, when your cat does unexpectedly pounce on you, try not to give him too much of a reaction. In fact, if you can, ignore your kitty and walk away.
2. Redirect Your Cat’s Attention: Keep an eye on your cat’s body language. I can usually tell when my cat is in play mode because he’ll hunch down and start wiggling his backside! This is the perfect opportunity to grab one of his catnip toys and toss it across the room. He’ll happily pounce away and start playing appropriately before he’s had the chance to pounce on me or someone else. Catnip toys, feather wands, laser pointers, and other interactive toys can all work well as distraction tools. Try them out and see what works best for your cat. The main trick here is to redirect the behavior before he has the chance to pounce on you.
3. Schedule Play Sessions: As independent as they seem, cats still need daily stimulation, and if they don’t get it, they can get bored and often turn to destructive behavior. Try to schedule at least two 10-minute play sessions with your cat each day. Not only will they love you for it, but you may also find that it helps you relax! Studies show that spending just a little time with your furry companion can lower your stress levels. Feather wands and other toys that simulate natural prey are perfect for these play sessions. They will provide your cat with the opportunity to practice its predatory instincts appropriately, without risk to your ankles. Don’t forget to give them a small treat at the end of each session!
4. Reinforce Positive Behavior: Cats learn best through positive reinforcement. When your cat plays appropriately or displays other desirable behaviors, remember to treat them immediately so that they associate the reward with that behavior. Rewards can include tasty treats, catnip, or your attention.
5. Consult a Veterinarian: While it’s normal for cats to pounce and play, if it becomes excessive or uncontrollable, then your cat can be at risk of injuring himself. If despite your efforts, your cat still pounces on you—especially if it’s to the point of causing injury—it’s best to book an appointment with a vet. A veterinarian will be able to rule out any underlying health issues that may be contributing to your cat’s aggressive behavior.
Stalking and pouncing are a big part of a cat’s natural feline instincts. Our cute little predators may look adorable when they’re preparing to pounce on their toys, but it’s best not to encourage this behavior when the target is you, or another person or animal. Scheduling a couple of play sessions will give your cat the perfect opportunity to practice this instinct in a safe and painless way!
Cats are highly intelligent creatures and it’s important to remember that they need stimulation. They need to be able to express their natural behaviors and instincts, and if they don’t have the opportunity to do this, they can become frustrated and display unwanted behaviors. Scheduling regular play sessions and redirecting their attention to appropriate activities can help keep your cat entertained and prevent them from pouncing on you or anyone else.
It’s also important to remember that cats are individuals and that what works for one cat may not work for another. If your cat’s stalking and pouncing behavior is still a problem, it’s best to consult a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical causes.
In conclusion, stalking and pouncing are normal, healthy behaviors for cats. However, it’s important to discourage this behavior if it’s directed towards you or someone else. Scheduling regular play sessions, redirecting your cat’s attention, and reinforcing positive behaviors can help keep your cat entertained and prevent them from pouncing on you unexpectedly. If your cat’s behavior is still a problem, it’s best to consult a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical causes. So, grab that feather wand and let the fun begin!
