Understanding Why Your Cat Stalks

By their very nature, cats are excellent hunters who thoroughly
enjoy stalking their prey. For domesticated cats, their “prey”
can be something as simple as an insect or a wind up toy. But,
is it always healthy and normal for a cat to stalk, or is there
ever a reason to be concerned about a stalking cat?

As I commented even domesticated cats have the natural instinct
to hunt and to stalk. With an indoor cat, stalking generally
speaking is not an indication of hunger. More likely they are
stalking their prey out of curiosity or because they simply need
to add a little excitement to their lives. Hunting and stalking
also helps the cat to get a little exercise and also provides a
release for pent up energy.

For the most part, domesticated cats prefer chasing mice or
other small rodents. Some even enjoy stalking and catching
rabbits and birds and they will spend many hours watching their
prey. A domesticated cat that is well fed will generally just
play with the prey rather than try to eat it. In fact, it is
rare for a well cared for domesticated cat to eat its prey. Many
people think cats are cruel because they play with their prey,
but this is just simply the cat’s way of satisfying its natural
hunting instinct and of getting exercise.

When a cat uses its stalking skill to hunt for prey, it moves
quietly and attracts very little attention. Cats particularly
enjoy stalking in areas with high grass because it helps prevent
their prey from seeing them. This stalking instinct can be more
than a little disturbing for those cat owners who are also bird
lovers. If a cat has a tendency to stalk wild birds that the cat
owner wants to be left alone, it can be a good idea to tie a
bell around the cat’s neck. This will help warn the birds of the
nearby stalking cat although it will of course frustrate the cat
who may try to remove the bell!

Negative Behaviours

Besides destroying the wild bird population with their stalking
and hunting instincts, some cats can begin to exhibit their
stalking behaviours in negative ways. Indoor cats that are the
only cat in the household are most likely to develop negative
stalking behaviours. For example, a cat can learn the patterns
of behaviour of its owner. So, when it hears the owner arrive
home, it might engage in stalking mode and pounce on the owner
and bite them on the ankle when they gets home. This behaviour
is sometimes referred to as predatory-play aggression because it
combines elements of play with elements of predatory behaviour.

When this happens, the owner quite understandably becomes upset.
The owner might tell the cat off or even spray them with water
to attempt to make the cat stop the behaviour. However, this
will rarely succeed in modifying the cat’s behaviour

Modifying Stalking Behaviour

Indoor cats tend to engage predatory-play aggressive behaviour
more than outdoor cats. This is because indoor cats are more
likely to become bored. In addition, outdoor cats have a far
greater number of options for fulfilling their predatory
behaviour. These include stalking small outdoor animals,
insects, and birds.

For the indoor cat, however, buying some toys that the cat can
stalk is a good idea. These give the cat the opportunity to
engage in its natural predatory instincts in a healthy way. The
cat should have access to toys that both involve the owner and
those that do not. Toys that involve the owner help to create a
bond between the pet and its owner. On the other hand, cats also
need to learn how to engage in solitary play and this includes
stalking and other predatory behaviours.

Choosing Toys

Toys that are lightweight and easy to move are the best types of
toys to help the cat engage in its stalking behaviour. Bouncy
toys are also a good choice, as are toys that hand from the top
of doors or from doorknobs. Toys that hang from other items
should be moved around the house, however, to help keep the
cat’s environment different and enriching. Toys can even be
hidden in places such as laundry baskets to add to the
excitement.

Toys that resemble the natural prey of cats, such as mice, are
also good choices. In addition, toys should be large enough to
prevent choking, but small enough to be easily moved by the cat.
The material used to create the toy should also be
indestructible. Otherwise the cat, particularly kittens, will
destroy the toy. This is not only messy, but also poses as a
choking hazard.

A cat that is properly stimulated with toys that allow it to
utilize its stalking skills will be far healthier than one that
is not. In addition, the cat will be far less likely to pounce
on or harm the owner or the owner’s furnishings!