Hunting is natural behaviour for cats; before we brought them into our homes, they had to hunt for their food, just like big cats such as lions and tigers, says PDSA Vet Nurse Gemma Renwick.
Over the centuries, domestication has meant that our cats now get food from their loving humans. However, their brains are still hardwired to react to the sight and sound of prey, so hunting behaviours remain.
Why do cats play with their prey?
For cats, hunting and eating aren’t necessarily related. Many cats have an urge to carry out hunting behaviours even when they’ve just eaten, especially if an unexpected small animal scuttles or hops past them and triggers them to start a hunt.
Cats learn the skills to hunt early on in their lives - it’s instinct for them. They learn through play with their littermates, practising behaviours like pouncing while playing and often by watching their mother hunt.
As they grow up, their urge to hunt continues to develop. Many owners will see their cats hunting or stalking and sometimes they might even bring you (usually unwanted) ‘presents’ of their prey.
Sometimes you may find your cat ‘playing’ with a live animal in the house and understandably many owners find this upsetting. Rest assured your cat is not doing this for entertainment.
While it looks cruel and unnecessary to us, the hunting techniques that cats have developed are designed to reduce the risk of bites, scratches or injures and this often involves batting or catching then releasing their prey. This can be unpleasant for us to witness, but it is all part of natural hunting strategies for your cat.
For many cats, hunting and stalking prey is a really important part of their routine and helps keep their brains and bodies active.
How to stop them hunting
If you want to stop them from hunting, it’s really important to make sure they still have the chance to perform these behaviours, otherwise they can get frustrated and anxious.
“Thankfully, there are ways you can channel your cat’s hunting instincts into play rather than prey. A recent study showed that daily playtime with owners actually reduced the amount of prey that cats brought home and is a great way to spend time and bond with your cat. A few activities you can encourage are:
· Stalking and hiding games are highly stimulating and can be done by introducing a tunnel, box or enclosed bed for your cat to stalk from. They encourage your cat to use their behaviours in the early stage of their hunt.
· Wand toys can be used to mimic the movement of birds (by wafting them up and down) or mice (by dragging them along the floor). Fishing-rod style toys will work perfectly for you cat.
· Soft toys can allow your cat to grip with their front paws and kick with their hind legs as they would during the second phase of their hunt
Many cats will have a preference for one particular type of prey species, this could be birds, mice or something completely different such as a frog. When it comes to toys and playing with your cat, the same rules will apply, so if one game isn’t working why not try a different approach.
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Just like when they’re hunting, most cats prefer to play in short bursts, so if they wander off after a few minutes, it doesn’t mean they didn’t enjoy the game! Aim for a few short sessions (10-20 minutes) spread throughout the day, and rotate their toys to provide variety. Remember to let them catch the toy sometimes so they don’t get frustrated.
Love cats? Check out our pets section for advice on cat care, from how to take your cat to the vet without stress to how to get rid of fleas and even how to stop cats pooping in your garden
About the PDSA
The PDSA is the UK's leading vet charity, providing free and low-cost treatment to pets in need. PDSA vets and vet nurses provide veterinary care and advice to sick and injured pets whose owners otherwise couldn’t afford to pay the full cost of treatment.
To find out more about cats, including feeding, health and behaviour, visit pdsa.org.uk/cats