Misdirected hunting and play behaviour in cats

Misdirected hunting and play behaviour is when a cat uses its owner as prey and attacks in some form of imitation of hunting.

Along with cuddle-related aggression (not wanting to be held, petted, or kept on a lap), misdirected hunting is the most common aggressive behaviour in cats, although it is not aggressive at all - in fact, your cat just wants to play.

Your cat actually thinks it is fun and does not understand that it is inappropriate to direct this type of behaviour towards you.

What makes the cat use us as prey?

The behaviour is often triggered by movement and is more common in young individuals with greater desire to play.

Cats that often show misdirected hunting and playing behaviour:

• Cats who had to leave their mother and littermates too early so therefore did not learn how to play appropriately
• Kittens that have been alone in their litter
• Solitary cats who focus all their attention on their owner
• Unstimulated cats
• If you have played or still play too hard with your cat

Why is my cat attacking my hands and feet?

A common mistake is that cat owners play with their kitten in a way that you don't want to play when it is much bigger and stronger. When a kitten bites and scratches during play it is hardly noticeable, but when it grows and bites much harder, then it's a problem.

Be careful what you teach your kitten at a young age when it comes to playtime. Try playing with your kitten correctly from the beginning to avoid this mistake.

How to get rid of this behaviour?

It is important to teach your cat how to play and what to play with instead of your hands, arms, legs, feet or jeans for example. 

Avoid triggering the behaviour with rapid movements and sit still if you notice that the cat starts the movement and wants to play in this way. Distract your cat with a toy wiggling it about to encourage your cat to chase or hunt the toy instead of you.

Keep your cat stimulated

Keeping your cat stimulated throughout the day will ensure that they don't get bored or destructive. 

Occupy them with toys, food and treats hidden around the house, games, and give them new objects to explore - like a cardboard box for example.

Read our guide on how to keep your indoor cat stimulated to reduce behavioural problems.

It's also important to create a good home environment for your cat; from safe sleeping areas out of the way of loud children or general noise, to scratching posts and play areas specifically designed for your cat.