My cat used to do this a lot as a kitten, and one day I thought "what if he is trying to play with me exactly the way he would with other kittens?", so I started playing hide-and-seek-chase with him, and it turned out to be exactly what he wanted. It's pretty adorable how mad he gets when he can't find me.
My kitten has about a dozen ping pong balls he loves to chase around the house, but it is incredible how quickly they all get lost and he can't find them. So he and I go around with a yard stick looking under the sofa, chairs, behind bookshelves, etc. He looks under while I look under and fishes his paw under things just like I do. I must be acting like a cat looking for prey. Once a ball is found, it gets lobbed across the room, he plays like crazy for about the 15 seconds it takes for him to lose it again. Almost wish I had an empty room with nothing in it so he could continuously play till he's tired. I wish my cat would play fetch with me too.
@@amywalker7515 Sometimes cats push things under the sofa to then retrieve them, it's like a mental excercise. If you dedicated a whole room for him and a ball, he would get bored almost instantly, because retrieving the ball from under the sofa is also fun for cats.
@@amywalker7515 Put the ball on the end of a string and throw it around. Then you can just pull on it to retrieve it. Also, just as cat is about to get it, you can yank the string and the ball bounces out of reach. Cat loves that!
@@eerrm1 if you do put the ball on the end of a string, just make sure you're always around when the cat is playing with it and put it away when you're not able to supervise. Otherwise the cat could eventually chew or rip the string off, which can cause serious intestinal issues that sometimes result in surgery or worse.
@@kukui79 We had a cat that was inclined to chew off string from anything it encountered. That meant threads from frayed clothing, shoelaces, carpet edges etc. until it went to the vet. The cost was going to be very high with a certainty that the cat would not stop eating strings. The cat had to be put down. If a cat will eat string, you can’t stop it.
My cat had max play time as a kitten, and still liked attacking feet. He'll still do it now sometimes, usually when I'm up late at night and he wants bed cuddles. "Hey, mum, it's bed time."
Often a symptom of Single Kitten Syndrome - cats who grow up alone don't learn that biting / scratching hurts as they grow and get stronger. This is one of many reasons why you should get a pair of kittens.
Our cat does this to us when she wants attention and wants to eat. But she doesn't "attack" us, she meows at us and then if we don't listen or if she doesn't think she's getting her point across, she approaches our leg and gives it a little nibble.
Yup. Mine did this too when I didn't give them the food attention. I put them on a schedule and they like to wake my son at 5 a.m. by meowing non stop to feed them.
Mine does the same, too long to get me breakfast I'll eat your feet. Hey I've been telling you to go to bed, you are taking to long time to get your ankles.
I'm listening to the cat aggression playlist bc my cat has been so playful and vocal lately and the moment I put on the playlist my cat laid down and is now fully relaxed. I think it's Jackson's voice
Not true... I play with my cat, my boyfriend plays with my cat- we tag team . Take turns. My cat 🐈 still thinks it’s not enough. And we RUN AROUND like kids with my pet. He’s just a ball of energy. He refuses to play with toys. Only humans lmao
I also call it murder time. But i actually give my cat something to murder and eat lol she gets a whole feeder mouse once per week. I already have a bunch of mice and rats for the snakes so its a non issue. And she only bothers the snakes to try to steal their food xD
My young kitty shows us she wants to play by literally bringing a toy to us. She'll also hide behind a sheer curtain and "surprises" us by jumping at us through the curtain. We both know to make a sound indicating that she definitely surprised us and we had NO idea she was there (she's part Maine Coon, she's really big & doesn't hide well 😂) and she LOVES it.
I had watched this video about two months ago. It was in desperation because I was done being attacked by my cat. I used the advice presented in this video and its like I have a different cat. I never feed him unless he has done the play and catch, I stopped putting a large bowl of food out but feed him small amounts but only after the chase, catch play. He knows that he won't get fed until he does this and now during this play he will drag toy to the food bowl when he is hungry. This seemed like magic because it seemed to instantly stop the attacking behavior. THANK YOU!!!!
@SuGo As a new cat owner struggling with a traumatized kitten who demonstrates aggressive behaviour, you being so judgemental is really discouraging 😔 I’m doing my best.
@@prinnmaddi you're not labelling your cat as an asshole, you recognize he's been traumatized, and you're not giving up on him; that alone sets you apart form the aforementioned category of owners who'd rather give up and slap a label on them :) good luck on the kitty, they change and get better quickly!
Man you are the Sigmund Freud of cats. I thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. It’s easy to tell how much you love cats and it almost feels like you are one of them but teaching humans how to handle it. Respect
I have a half blind, half deaf, half feral kitten. He is the last of the bunch. And I am delighted he has found my lap. I am also happy to have found your videos.
My first cat Thomas does this alot and he always run under the bed peeking out at out with his googly eyes. One time my mom joked around saying that she's not going to buy him any more cat food and he turned and attacked her then ran off. 🤣🤣
my husband runs fulls speed across the house with a string or toy, and my cat LOVES to chase him around the house, he will even puff up and roll around and purr and it's really funny and cute to see because he looks and sounds so happy as they play like this.
I once got on the floor with my cat, too, mirroring her body language. She legit laid her paw on my fingertips and gave me these wide eyes. I never felt that level of connection to another living being even with other humans, it was such a moment.
I go to the end of the hall with a broom after tossing and chasing his little pompoms down there, then he runs excitedly to the other end and hides with his little head down and his eyes all huge ready to play what I call cat hockey when I start taking “shots” with the broom and he explodes from out of view to jump on and capture the Pom poms, blocking them from getting past. Then I’ll run out of little balls to fling down the hall so I’ll start walking towards the other end, snd he’ll excitedly run down to man the opposite end, and we will go until he lays down and shows a belly Also I take a throw pillow from the couch and get a long string ( I like to get a pretty rainbow paracord from the bracelet rope area of the craft store) then I toss my cord across the room, drop a pillow about halfway between myself and the cat/end of string, and start dragging it back towards myself from across the floor, and if the cat sees this string going under pillow- my cats will instantly become _quite_ concerned with what tomfoolery is afoot and that the pillow absolutely *cannot* allow it to continue. They love to dive into the pillow and pull out the string that was hiding under there. I’ll let them chew on it for a bit then I’ll reset and start the game again.
This perfectly describes our kitten Lemur, who not only attacks feet but sometimes hands as well. I'll definitely be using your tips to redirect her behavior. She's a good kitty, she just needs an outlet for all of her energy.
My second cat was an ankle biter but it wasn't aggressive or angry behavior. She used to do it to get your attention. Used to crack me up the way she would do it. She would just saunter up to you, sit at your feet, give you a little nip, you jump out of your skin and look down to see two huge beautiful soulful eyes begging for attention.
That sounds adorable coming from your cat if she is truly as sweet, soft and innocent as you make her sound, however, my little 3-year-old ginger boy seems to have developed a bit of an unwanted habit of nipping at me whenever he decides I've spent too long not playing with him like when I'm on the toilet or trying to do my own thing for a little while, he's just become so needy, cheeky, spoiled (I think we feed him a little more than we probably should because my mother and I also very soft with him and give into his big, sweet and hopeful baby-like eyes verry easily just in case he is actually as hungry as he acts! 😅🥺🫣) and he follows me everywhere nearly every hour of the day and I just can't seem to get him to leave me alone and not nip or scratch for attention whenever I need him to give me some "me" time for myself... ._. :s And I am not a cold, mean, overly selfish or distant owner (or cat guardian/housemate/human parent as I prefer to refer to myself!) in the slightest as I try to give him plenty of play time, love and fuss every day, but having to follow him around constantly to play with or entertain him and/or see what he wants day after day is definitely taking its toll on my overall happiness, motivation and willpower as I only have very limited energy and an equally limited attention-span to begin with and I'm doing my best but it just never really feels like I'm doing enough for him no matter what I try to do to please him... (*Sigh...!*) 😓🥲
@ChocolateWhispersx I have a 3-yr old black tabby girl who is the same way. Occasionally she keeps fussing no matter how much I've played with her or fed her, so then I let her go outside to play in the yard for awhile. Its the only thing that helps.
Compared to my older cat, my new kitten Noodle has an unlimited energy reserve. All this play information is so helpful and will take getting used to. Knowing that these "annoying" habits are really just asks for more play is very reassuring.
We lost our cat in July to old age 🥺 and then adopted a kitten on August 31st. I was SHOCKED by how differently these two cats have acted. The kitten is WILDLY more active and attack-prone than the older cat was. It makes sense, ofc, but still, seeing it happen in real time has been a little wild. Our new kitten does the “attack the legs as you walk by” thing when we’re getting up. He’s definitely at his most playful first thing in the morning. Seeing this in other cats and knowing that it’s normal is VERY useful. Thank you. It’s been decades since we had a kitten, so I just didn’t know if this was a crazy characteristic of just our new kitten, or if all kittens did this kind of thing. Thanks for the info!
Our ragdoll does this and attacks me. I’ve realized that as a cat parent, it's our responsibility to also play with them. The play aggression is not cool I’m glad I’m not the only one who experienced this and your video is very helpful.
My kitty does this! I recently realized that she just wants to play when she bites my ankles! 😂 She's about 1 or 2 years old so she still has her kitten energy!
Yes! My current foster cat needs a lot of attention of she will pounce and bite. I'm gonna send this to whoever adopts her, on top of all the explanation and info we usually give. Bc when she IS worn out, she's an amazingly calm and affectionate pet. It just takes a lot to wear her out, her prey drive is very strong.
We just adopted our first cat and she’s arriving in a month from her foster home in Greece. I’m learning so much from your channel Jackson! Thank you 😊
I can give you some advice? Adopt one more, cats are very needy being the only one, and the adaptation of a new cat is complicated, in the future you will want to adopt another cat
@@priscillad8 that all depends on the cat. We have a female senior cat and a male who adopted us about 4 years ago at about 9 months old. He still attacks the female. She avoids him like the plague. If you want more than one I would adopt 2 or more as kittens so they can grow up together.
@@tabs617 well, this behavior is normal, it's called an adaptation period, sometimes it takes months, but in the end it's good for them, not just for my opinion, there are several specialists I follow who say that, and of course two kittens will definitely be more🤗 Anyway, my advice was for to adopt one that already lived with him there
We had a fluffy calico once who would have what we came to call “jump rope time” every day. We’d hear a warbled, muffled meow from somewhere in the house, accompanied by a dragging noises, and that was our cue: she wanted not to chase, but to follow a green, plastic jump rope as one of us dragged it behind us on the hardwood floors, round and round the house. She would signal that the game had to begin by finding the rope, picking it up in her mouth, and dragging it around the house as she meowed; basically showing us what we had to do. My family would hear the sound and we’d all call out to each other, “it’s jump rope time! Jump rope tiiiiime!”, and then guilt each other into being the one who had to walk around and round the house for a half hour until a cat got bored. ❤️
Our kitten is all hunt/play. I know as he gets older he will have longer groom, nap, and cuddle times. We definitely will be implementing more routine for him.
Our family cat only does it when he's been out baking in the sun for quite awhile, usually in the afternoon. We call it him being "sun drunk". It's like the sun melts his brain a little and he gets a bit nutty hehe.
My first house cat, Zorro, arrived when I was 65 years old. Previously, I had dogs in the house, a cat in the barn, and horses in the corral. Zorro is an eye-opener. Your videos are very helpful to me. Zorro is a rescue from a high-kill shelter, we got him when he was 4 months old. He has some damage to his spine and his gait is not perfect... so I won't add him to our barn cat situation. He is incredibly affectionate (at 10 months old now) but his play-biting drives me NUTS! Thanks for explaining how natural cat behaviors play out within a confined (home) environment. I learn something new every day
Love the balloon analogy! The way I've always described it is "his tank is full of kitty energy!" Sometimes he gets cranky after I play with him and give him food, and I have to lay down with him to get him into the groom/cuddle/sleep mode. It's like having a feline toddler sometimes. LOL
I wish I could have dealt with my guy Nemo’s aggression better. He passed a few months ago at 15 1/2 and we understood each other deeply in his last 4 -5 years. Prior to that he would attack by biting hard enough to sink his teeth and claws fully in. I’m sure this was antisocial/anger issues because he was isolated for several years, mid life, due to marking issues This was due to other cats/territorial issues, despite being fixed. When I got divorced I took him to live with me. He had his own space and no competition for food but the biting continued. The only way I knew how to deal with it was to get loudly angry (never physically violent) followed up by calm talking. It was my way of apologizing and he would fake sleep while I did this. Eventually, he stopped the biting and learned to touch me gently with his paw for attention. It took a couple of years of blood, scars, and infections but we finally worked it out. We were friends in the end. I just wish I’d had a better way of changing his behavior. RIP buddy.
It's not easy when you have a cat with deep emotional/behavioural issues (see my post above). You did your best and gave him a loving home. Many others would have given up on him.
@@jdee4956 Many people told me to get rid of him (or worse). It never crossed my mind. I carried him home in the palm of my hand, saw him enjoy life and nature as a juvenile and young adult, and become isolated and antisocial mid life. I was determined to make him know that he was safe and loved for his last 7 years, when it was just me and him. I know that he felt that love (and returned it) in his final several years. 6 months on and I still miss him deeply.
This is what I’m afraid of happening with my kitten. I’m not willing to have an aggressive cat, I’m not patient enough to deal with it. Ive been doing everything I can, and I hope she grows out of it.
@@KaraKdw Since your friend is still a kitten there is a lot of hope but, because of the nature of most cats, you will have to find some amount of patience. Spend a lot of time talking softly, eye contact (but not staring) with slow blinking, and learn when to give it space and when to give it attention. As your cat matures mentally and loses some of that kitten energy, you may find it’s actually a pretty mellow critter!
Sorry to double comment but this deserves a separate one... I don't normally like a lot of animal behaviour 'experts' , especially that nasty dog man, but this is top quality. You are using the techniques employed by some of the greatest psychologists - thorough observation coupled with a deep understanding and knowledge of typical and atypical behaviour and your conclusions are really spot on. I had to subscribe, which I just did.
At this point I can assume my cat can commit slaughter, grand theft auto, a bank heist, assassination and water board someone then turn up to court and plead not guilty due to playtime.
A friend's cat did that to him once when he returned from vacation. She drew blood. It happened only once and was clearly punishment for leaving her for 9 days. She was well cared for during that time, but not by her main servant.
well, that's just great. i bet the cat got plenty of fun and affectionate care and enjoyed it. then when the owner comes back, the cat is still like ' i'm not letting it slide you were gone all this time.'
Yikes. I am glad my Siamese just ignored me about eight hours when I went out of town and left her in the care of someone else. And she peed on me twice quite deliberately to express her great displeasure in something I did. I learned immediately not to do those things again and she never peed on me again in her 17 years.
@@tonibauer2405 I had my cat for 20 years. The first time she was left alone when we all went to the State Fair for the day, she dug every indoor plant out of every pot in the house! "I'll show YOU, leaving me alone!" As it turned out, my grandparents started aging to the point that both didn't go out with us younger folk at the same time, so someone was always at home with her when we did social things. I'm sure she approved of that little circumstance.
There are people who can’t take responsibility for their own negative feelings- they troll and criticise and do thumbs down as an outlet for their (non-play) aggression. This is not a political video- so there’s nothing to actually be against. So - thumbs down on something as innocuous as this video can equal only one thing - emotionally dishonest trolls. Rock on, Jackson. Keep doin what you’re doin- you’re a goldmine.
My boy has always been super playful, and that included ankle pouncing. When I saw the signs of him getting wound up (wide eyes, ears fixed forward or back, tail thrashing), I'd start walking around with a wand toy and twitch that to divert his attention. I'd have a couple of the toys stashed around the house for that purpose. Since starting that, I haven't had him go for the ankles in years.
Jackson you missed a cool clue during the "wind up" before the kill. 5:42 those iris's couldn't get any wider. This guy was taking in full light just before the pounce. I love it when my oldest cat still does this with me. When he does this its game time! We have a blast chasing each other around the room.
My cat used to wait under my bed for me every night while I went through my bedtime routine... And then when I came out, and was getting into bed, BAM! She’d pounce on my poor bare feet/ankles/lower leg. I began redirecting her with treats. As soon as I would come out of my bathroom, I would shake the treat bag, and wait for her to jump up on my bed. It didn’t take her long to catch on, and stop pouncing. Now she will wait on top of my bed, wait until I get into bed, and then she gets her treats. She’ll usually take off right after that, and go through her zoomies for about 10 or 20 minutes, and then settle in. Thanks for the videos!! You have really helped my kitty and me have an awesome relationship 😻 I am learning all the time. One thing I’m curious about - I don’t think I’ve ever heard you play guitar 🤔
My cat gets up next to me I pet and all of a sudden she scratches and bites. When I go to bed and she wants to go also. As so as I lift up my feet and put on bed she bites and grabs my feet to the point of I can't get her off. I have bites a and scratches all over feet and hands. What to do. I love her. I got her rite from her mother. Never by children or other pets. My Dr said get rid of her. I can't. Please respond. Thank you.
@@barbarasattar501 what a nonsense to get rid of her! Try the tools that are handed to you on this channel. I found a cat on the street with this behaviour. Of course I'll never know, but I think they got rid of him because of this behaviour. I have different tactics. One that always works is get his attention elsewhere. I have some cattreats that I throw through the room. First one, he chases it. Then the next one. 3 will do the tric. Succes! And please, don't get rid of him.
It makes me realize that not just kittens like to play but adult cats do too. I have come to really appreciate my kitty Caterina so much in what a amazing creature she is. She has become not just my pet but a friend and a member of our family in her own kitty ways 💕 😺 ❤️.
I really appreciate your videos, Jackson. We had indoor/outdoor cats over 60 years and just let them be while enjoying their love e dovee time with us. I did tire of our furniture being destroyed so when out last cat died we didn't get another. Afyer 8 years catless, 3 months ago we adopted a front de-clawed 6 years old from SPCA. Well, a lot happened in pet acquisition in 8 years! We always got our kittens from kids in front of the grocery store, had then calculated and spade, they'd live 12 to 18 years then we'd get another front a litter in a box at the grocery. Well, in the months before we adopted our Piper I discovered your show. I learned that adopting a cat is much more involved. Piper was a scared, attack cat that was the last cat in the adoption pool. Because of your show I decided to give her and me an opportunity to fir a new experience. Well we are 3 months in. The first 2 weeks were rough! But I established a routine based on her needs and she is a happy cat! I chose toys that made her feel successful (because she is declawed) and we play 4 times a day before meals. Yea, I have to feed her 4 times a day. I figured out her calorie needs and divided by 4. Repeating in my head are your mantras. Hunt, catch, kill, eat, groom, sleep, repeat. Play with your cat. Play with your cat.....I'm so glad I discovered your videos. I would not have gotten a cat again but you inspired me to challenged myself. I got a special needs 6 year old cat who had never been played with and was deemed a vicious biter... the last in the shelter and angry as heck. I love Piper! We are getting along fine and advancing to new adjustments.
When my baby was a kitten she was an extremely aggressive player. I knew at the time that it was play versus an angry attacking, she wasn't angry just super hyped (she's also an excellent mouser). I tried to wear her out through play time, toys after toys but she would get bored and lunge past the toy and grapple my arms. After quite a few methods and actually getting another cat friend the manic need to hunt momma subsided. She has a friend to hang out with and they chase each other around and she's turned into my snuggle buddy. I know that understanding what they are doing ie, excited play versus not, helped to come at the situation rationally.
This was exactly my situation also. You see this wild look in her eyes and you knew it was play time. Her play wasn’t too aggressive, but she definitely was a lot crazier before we got our second kitty. Since then, she’s been a lot more chill.
I think cats are very teachable if you bond with them first. My kitty loves me, so if I express disappointment or sadness when she does something wrong, she gets it. And adjusts her behavior. She’s soooo wonderful!
Thank you for the advice! We recognized our relatives' cats probably needed more play, but this helped so much with what to look for and how to make sure everyone was happy
This is really helpful. My 3 year old cat is a love bug, but occasionally attacks me and draws blood. Usually right before I go to bed. Now, I will be sure his energy is discharged with a bit of vigorous play. Thanks!
Watching my new kitten try to play with my fully grown colony (there not strays lol, i just really like the term) is so heart warming. There so patient with her hunting them around the house.
Jackson. Thank you so much for this video. I've had cats all my life and never had any issues. My kitty Cruella ( I was singing the song 1 day and she kept coming to what ever room I was in. So that's her name.) was a rescue. And she has behavior issues. My arms are permanently scarred from her. But this video helped me to understand the hunt, catch, and kill, cycle. Just knowing this has helped Cruella not be so cruel. Lol Thank you so much. Michelle and Cruella
Our cat does this exact thing. When I see this face and body language, I know he's about to pounce. He actually LOVES when you chase him at this point. When Tucker was sort of turning around to go, that's where I would slap my knees and go "I'M GONNA GET YOU" and he will sprint full speed out of the room. But be careful, because he will then turn around and start chasing you. It's a fun game of back and forth in which he gets to use up some of the energy and he never actually feels the need to pounce.
This was so helpful! Especially the hunt-catch-kill, eat-groom-sleep cycles. Charli showed up at our barn as a half-grown kitten in February, and was just the lovingest, sweetest little cat. But after a few weeks, I guess she got comfortable because she added bitey sessions to her repertoire. I know she wasn't being mad, because sometimes it was licks, sometimes it was bites that drew blood. We ALMOST got things under control on our own. I learned that when I got in in the evening, I'd get about two minutes of snuggles, then it had to be Fishy-onna-stick for 15 minutes or more. Then tuna time. Sometimes that wasn't enough to turn off bitey grooming time. She's still a growing kitten, so maybe not enough play. Depends on the day. I hope I can use treats to more effectively signal, OK, playtime over. Time for grooming and sleep. My other two cats are 14, so they are definitely more on the groom-sleep side of things. And they definitely get cranky when THEY are the prey. I think I can help divert Charli better now. Thanks, Jackson!
These videos are so helpful in helping to understand my cat more. It’s amazing that making a few behavior adjustments of my own is REALLY APPRECIATED by my cat! They do notice! lol
I love it when my cats do that. Sometimes they hide behind the curtain or under the bed and patiently wait for someone to walk by. Then jump out and attack your leg and dash back behind the curtain or under the bed. As if the person attacked has no idea where the attack came from?
My cat used to do this, and after watching your show I realized what I needed to do as a cat mom but I'm glad I found this video to confirm my suspicions! You've always been so helpful and thanks to your channel I've found a new appreciation and love for cats 🐈💕
My female feral kitten attacks me alot. I have had to pry open her vice grip jaw from my hand so many times. TY for this info. VERY HELPFUL & INFORMATIVE. Wooden clothes pins are a good toy for cats. She jumps at it when I throw it & she brings it back to me carrying it in her mouth. So cute!!! Will add more play time to her day. ...
Thing is, when we keep a cat, we have to treat them like a family. We have to feed them, take care of them, give the attention and quality time they need. People usually think that only dogs needs lots of attention, and cats don't. That's far from the truth. Cat psychology is very important, so we know them well, like how we know our family members. I love cats😊
I noticed that making an 'auwtch' sound really helps. Kittens seem to know it means that you're hurt and they most likely will stop scratching/biting right away. You do need to be consistent, so every time they use their claws or teeth, you must say it. If you forget, they won't know when they are hurting you and when they aren't.
Exactly, there needs to be communication. When my late cat accidentally bit too hard, he'd immediately notice by the tone change from playful *ouch* to reprimanding *ouch* and immediately let go and put himself in "sorry mode", showing submissive behaviour! Even a sign, which for us has always been a raised index finger, is enough to show him (and the whole load of other cats we had/have) that they've gone too far. People don't understand this and expect cats to be dumb, and label them as assholes all the time, when they're the ones at fault.
My 14 week old kitten, tabby named Neko, has my shins tore up! Thankfully he’s getting better, I’m trying to teach him to be “a good boy” and get a toy and bring it to me when he wants to play. But there was 2 weeks that he was off the charts! lol. But I’d like to add when he’s sweet he’s SO sweet, when he’s not he’s not. True Gemini 🤣🤣🤣
Our deaf cat does this sometimes. Even without motion. Our interpretation is, that this is her way of telling us she’s hungry. As in “I want meat in between my teeth”. Seems to work.
@@athag1 You are right, we might be sending her the wrong message. Her biting has gotten better nevertheless. It was at the beginning when we got her from the shelter. She has been with us for over a year now together with our first cat. I believe she feels better and more secure. She rarely does it now. Thanks for the advice.
I so appreciate your videos. My cat Babe...indoors.....used to be feral. Sometimes she does a gentle love bite thing. Once I learned not to overreact...I stopped pulling away. And she just gently bites down and releases. I pet her and we do fine. Now I play more with her. She and Two Kitty have many outdoor views of bird feeders and other cats. I so love my individual cats. Thks Jackson for your thoughtful helpful videos. Babe says Thks....also! Ahna
My oldest cat does it too. Even when I do play with her every day. As soon as her energy is up she’s more energetic than our youngest cat (they’re both still kittens). I’m happy they have each other. They play together all the time. I just have to watch out in the morning and evening in bed to not let my foot out of the covers cause I’ll have claws in them if I do. I do let her attack when my feet are under the covers. She doesn’t realize at that moment that it’s my foot. Right now they’re sleeping and cuddling together 😍
My cat does that when I'm sitting, when she does I usually find a toy to play with her, and I love your videos, I grew up with cats, but I've learned a lot from watching your videos
Thanks Jackson, THIS is the ONE I needed to see! THIS is MAX! Exactly! Now I understand I have no excuse not to play and drain the raw cat energy at predictable times - so grateful!! Blessings 😊🐱😊
Thank you so much for this, my cat likes to go for my ankles when she's agitated, and she sometimes bites hard (which I have to make sure I don't accidentally kick her when she does). She does have soft attacks too, so I know it's her stressing out at what I'm pretty sure is routine change.
Mine actually plays AFTER she eats. And she lets us know by running around, meowing. She will come to where i am, meow really loud then when I look at her she runs away. She’s so irresistible.
Thank you for this video! My 11 month old kitten loves to bite my ankle especially when I go into the shower lol, so I always bring his favorite fish toy so it guards me from his fierce bite 🥲
Really great video. My niece’s young male cat has been attacking her quite viciously, even when she’s sitting down. I sent her a link to this in hopes it will help. If she follows your advice, I bet she’ll have success! Makes so much sense. Especially love the idea to have pocket redirection supplies.
Looking for attention. I have been a cat mommy for years and I know! If kitty is behaving in this way, they are living breathing thinking beings and they are asking you to notice what they are saying, they are communicating. Hungry, not well, territory breach etc. It may not be about them, it may be what they are picking up about yourself
My sisters cat used to hide and then pounce on our legs. We used to affectionately call him “demon spawn.”He was less than a year old so when she got another kitten and he had a little sister to play with, it completely stopped. Now he’s the perfect angel cat and takes all his play aggression out on his sister
I just started spraying my legs with bitter spray in the morning. I’ll play with him, but I’m also trying to deter him from ever wanting to bite me. It works like a charm but he got super aggressive today and I played for a long time then left the upstairs for him to be alone. Sometimes just being in another area when they get that way helps a lot. I put on his automatic play toys and go downstairs. It frustrates me that he gets that way sometimes but he’s a rescue and I’m sure some of it comes from whatever background he had. 90% of the time he’s a super good sweet boy. We’ve learned to deal.
My cat does this when I'm sleeping and I don't mind it at all, it's because in the morning he's super hyper and has a lot of energy. In place of my foot I give him a little stuffed animal and he starts to attack it and bite it haha.
My cat is SO CHILL. She never attacks, she just sleeps, I only gets scratches when I know I did something wrong. She’s so sweet and lovable even though she loves not being held and cuddled
This explains my cat. I get so many swipes first thing in the morning. All I do is get up. Moving the blankets off me, I’m already saying no, Zoe. She really perks up then. So now I know. Thank you!!
This is so helpful! I work from home, and every morning I go to my home office, my cat jumps at my legs and tries to play scratch at me. Drives me crazy!
My new kitten has been doing this to me. My whole body is covered in scratches and scars. I've had cats My entire life but this baby has been the worst. Super helpful video about the routine. Going to work on that big time.
Does he have a really good bunnykicker? I think most aren’t big enough. Sockkitty makes a cat sized bunny kicker. It’s got crinkles and catnip inside, and it’s way more appealing than your legs and hands.
@@professorbutters My cat likes to bunnykick his wand toys, so I've tried giving him bigger kickers, but any time a toy is much bigger than, IDK, let's say a hand, he acts afraid and runs away from it! I don't know what to get him since he acts fearful of most kickers.
@@heatherbryant4197 yeah, my cat tends to only love feathery things and very very small things...or pieces of dried plant and friggin dried out moths lol. Sometimes I catch her doing about three halfassed stomps from her hindlegs on the sad floorbanana in the hallway and very sneakily she moves the furry mouse to my bed at night but that's about it. Kong kickeroo is just collecting dust, even more than the floorbanana. it is too big for her.
My cat is so precious! She isn't aware of how strong she is so when we play fight she always leaves deep scratches that take days to heal. But shes always so apologetic, she curls up on my stomach and purrs. Even at 9 years old she acts the same as when she was a kitten. She's an adorable lynx point tabby with a brown nose and the cutest little pink beans! She was smaller than her siblings and she's super quiet but she makes up for it with her sharp claws, being amazing at hunting despite never having gone outside, and an amazing personality!
My cat Tucker will make like he is about to pounce on me (usually when he is under the bed and I cannot see him), but he always stops short of actually grabbing me. It is the same thing with bunny feet - he does it on my hand, but he does not use claws.
I always ask my cat: “why are you hunting humans, what would you even DO if you caught a human? Eat a whole human?” Luckily he doesn’t bite, just runs to chase me and it’s fun
the world needs more videos like this,videos where a cats behaviour is described in detail. too many people do not understand or misunderstand their cats body language.i have had cats for 50+ years i have a maine coon kitten 5 mo not pure breed,they really need to play hard to get the excess energy out.
Our baby boy likes to hide and then jumps out when we walk by. Its really funny and cute at sane time, sometimes we can see him hiding, but that jump is so high. He jumps and turns and then runs away like saying 'Got ya...Haha' 😂 You can tell he's just a little kittie kid. 😉
My older cat "attacks" only mine & my daughter's ankles only & she does it randomly. I will definitely try playing with her when she does it. My other kitty "puts me to bed", then goes after my feet if they're sitting on the floor. I'll hafta get a different toy for her 😄 Thank you Jackson for all of your wonderful advice 👍👍👍👍👍
As a person who grew up with dogs and horses, cats confused me. I love your videos because you break it down in such a wonderful and loving way. I love cats and now I am starting understand how to show them my love.
My wife goes through the same thing every morning while fixing a cup of coffee. She moves around the kitchen and gets jumped. I've noticed that our tuxedo (Pepper) often goes for the foot that is momentarily stationary while walking. Cats are very intelligent.
Thanks so much Jackson. I struggle with this with Toby. I think I'm largely to blame because I often turn the ankle biting into a quick wrestle with mommy play session and then try to move on but he's not done. Your tips are great and I'm gonna go toy shopping soon!
My 15 month old cat (but she will always be a kitten to me) "hides" crouched down on the seat of the couch and when I walk by 13:23 13:23 surprises me by jumping on the back of the couch and jumps to my arm, but never has her claws out. She's such a sweetheart!❤ I am so smitten with her! It's too bad my little Yorkie doesn't love her.
My cat used to do this a lot as a kitten, and one day I thought "what if he is trying to play with me exactly the way he would with other kittens?", so I started playing hide-and-seek-chase with him, and it turned out to be exactly what he wanted. It's pretty adorable how mad he gets when he can't find me.
My kitten has about a dozen ping pong balls he loves to chase around the house, but it is incredible how quickly they all get lost and he can't find them. So he and I go around with a yard stick looking under the sofa, chairs, behind bookshelves, etc. He looks under while I look under and fishes his paw under things just like I do. I must be acting like a cat looking for prey. Once a ball is found, it gets lobbed across the room, he plays like crazy for about the 15 seconds it takes for him to lose it again. Almost wish I had an empty room with nothing in it so he could continuously play till he's tired. I wish my cat would play fetch with me too.
@@amywalker7515 Sometimes cats push things under the sofa to then retrieve them, it's like a mental excercise. If you dedicated a whole room for him and a ball, he would get bored almost instantly, because retrieving the ball from under the sofa is also fun for cats.
@@amywalker7515 Put the ball on the end of a string and throw it around. Then you can just pull on it to retrieve it. Also, just as cat is about to get it, you can yank the string and the ball bounces out of reach. Cat loves that!
@@eerrm1 if you do put the ball on the end of a string, just make sure you're always around when the cat is playing with it and put it away when you're not able to supervise. Otherwise the cat could eventually chew or rip the string off, which can cause serious intestinal issues that sometimes result in surgery or worse.
@@kukui79 We had a cat that was inclined to chew off string from anything it encountered. That meant threads from frayed clothing, shoelaces, carpet edges etc. until it went to the vet. The cost was going to be very high with a certainty that the cat would not stop eating strings. The cat had to be put down. If a cat will eat string, you can’t stop it.
It’s really incredible how much undesirable cat behavior can be curbed with playtime
Same with kids
Mary preach! Lol
I don't find it undesirable. I just realize that I'm in her domain and my movement sometimes mimicks prey, so it's fair game.
If the natural behaviour of a cat is undesirable for you, then you are the one in need to be cured.
My cat had max play time as a kitten, and still liked attacking feet. He'll still do it now sometimes, usually when I'm up late at night and he wants bed cuddles. "Hey, mum, it's bed time."
Often a symptom of Single Kitten Syndrome - cats who grow up alone don't learn that biting / scratching hurts as they grow and get stronger. This is one of many reasons why you should get a pair of kittens.
Right but I can't adopt a 3rd cat due to apartment rules. I have an old boy and a new kitten who attacks me sometimes.
I've lived with cats my whole life (practically raised by them) and I'm still learning how to be a better cat guardian.
Awww that’s sweet😻
Lol I love that thinking!
"Raised by them.."❤️❤️❤️
That's the best part, they are such multi dimensional beings .
They see you as the pet lmao
Our cat does this to us when she wants attention and wants to eat. But she doesn't "attack" us, she meows at us and then if we don't listen or if she doesn't think she's getting her point across, she approaches our leg and gives it a little nibble.
“It’s either the food bowl, or your leg, lady! You decide.”
My cat too for attention!!
Yup. Mine did this too when I didn't give them the food attention. I put them on a schedule and they like to wake my son at 5 a.m. by meowing non stop to feed them.
My cat just rips up my favorite sofa if I don’t feed her right away in the morning. Nibbles and scratches would not be okay with me.
Mine does the same, too long to get me breakfast I'll eat your feet. Hey I've been telling you to go to bed, you are taking to long time to get your ankles.
I'm listening to the cat aggression playlist bc my cat has been so playful and vocal lately and the moment I put on the playlist my cat laid down and is now fully relaxed. I think it's Jackson's voice
Did not know about it - where can I find it please?
I feel like most cat "problems" can be solved by simply playing more with your cat :3
Not true... I play with my cat, my boyfriend plays with my cat- we tag team . Take turns. My cat 🐈 still thinks it’s not enough. And we RUN AROUND like kids with my pet. He’s just a ball of energy. He refuses to play with toys. Only humans lmao
@@lovelyp.8529 But does he have any problematic behavior? xD
Every cat is different, but mostly, if you treat them as family, pay attention to them, and love them, they’ll probably be good kitties.😁
@@lisaspikes4291 That was so well said 😭You are so right!
We call it "you are dead" look. Then let the fun begin with all the toys!
We call it murder time! When our kitty starts getting either all dilated or like dragon eyes its time for some friendly murder XD
I also call it murder time. But i actually give my cat something to murder and eat lol she gets a whole feeder mouse once per week. I already have a bunch of mice and rats for the snakes so its a non issue. And she only bothers the snakes to try to steal their food xD
We call it "dissociating" in my house, lol.
@@iambored678 omg 😂 this is such a great word for it
😂😂😂it makes sense. My cat is eleven and he does it till this day.
My cat does this whenever I get home in the evenings generally escalating to pawing the TV until I recognized it and go play with him
My young kitty shows us she wants to play by literally bringing a toy to us. She'll also hide behind a sheer curtain and "surprises" us by jumping at us through the curtain. We both know to make a sound indicating that she definitely surprised us and we had NO idea she was there (she's part Maine Coon, she's really big & doesn't hide well 😂) and she LOVES it.
these cute ambushes
Same!!!❤😂😊
Oh wow my kitten does that too 😂
I had watched this video about two months ago. It was in desperation because I was done being attacked by my cat. I used the advice presented in this video and its like I have a different cat. I never feed him unless he has done the play and catch, I stopped putting a large bowl of food out but feed him small amounts but only after the chase, catch play. He knows that he won't get fed until he does this and now during this play he will drag toy to the food bowl when he is hungry. This seemed like magic because it seemed to instantly stop the attacking behavior. THANK YOU!!!!
OMG I was doing all wrong!! Thank you for giving me hope with your example.
I was going to say the cat in the video obviously just needs play time. I'm a long term cat owner and you gotta play with them.
@@DowJonesDave it's truly absurd how lots of owners can't figure such simple signs out by themselves and simply label cats as assholes.
@SuGo As a new cat owner struggling with a traumatized kitten who demonstrates aggressive behaviour, you being so judgemental is really discouraging 😔 I’m doing my best.
@@prinnmaddi you're not labelling your cat as an asshole, you recognize he's been traumatized, and you're not giving up on him; that alone sets you apart form the aforementioned category of owners who'd rather give up and slap a label on them :) good luck on the kitty, they change and get better quickly!
Man you are the Sigmund Freud of cats. I thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. It’s easy to tell how much you love cats and it almost feels like you are one of them but teaching humans how to handle it. Respect
How dare you. Freud was nuts, and not in the good way.
@@mirjanbouma 😂😂
Ew Jackson is nothing like that disgusting Freud.
Jackson loves what he does, I admire that
@@mirjanbouma accurate 😂
I have a half blind, half deaf, half feral kitten. He is the last of the bunch. And I am delighted he has found my lap. I am also happy to have found your videos.
The whole dash at ankles, "attack", and dart away thing is something my family calls a "hit and run". It's always funny and I know it means playtime.
Hit and run I like that lol
I like to call it “kit and run”
My first cat Thomas does this alot and he always run under the bed peeking out at out with his googly eyes. One time my mom joked around saying that she's not going to buy him any more cat food and he turned and attacked her then ran off. 🤣🤣
@@itskashkashi funny story 😂
So we should buy toys and be prepared to play a little. Make sure they have food. My cat did this when she was out of food too.
my husband runs fulls speed across the house with a string or toy, and my cat LOVES to chase him around the house, he will even puff up and roll around and purr and it's really funny and cute to see because he looks and sounds so happy as they play like this.
How cute
A+ hubbo
I love this!
I once got on the floor with my cat, too, mirroring her body language. She legit laid her paw on my fingertips and gave me these wide eyes. I never felt that level of connection to another living being even with other humans, it was such a moment.
I go to the end of the hall with a broom after tossing and chasing his little pompoms down there, then he runs excitedly to the other end and hides with his little head down and his eyes all huge ready to play what I call cat hockey when I start taking “shots” with the broom and he explodes from out of view to jump on and capture the Pom poms, blocking them from getting past. Then I’ll run out of little balls to fling down the hall so I’ll start walking towards the other end, snd he’ll excitedly run down to man the opposite end, and we will go until he lays down and shows a belly
Also I take a throw pillow from the couch and get a long string ( I like to get a pretty rainbow paracord from the bracelet rope area of the craft store) then I toss my cord across the room, drop a pillow about halfway between myself and the cat/end of string, and start dragging it back towards myself from across the floor, and if the cat sees this string going under pillow- my cats will instantly become _quite_ concerned with what tomfoolery is afoot and that the pillow absolutely *cannot* allow it to continue. They love to dive into the pillow and pull out the string that was hiding under there. I’ll let them chew on it for a bit then I’ll reset and start the game again.
This perfectly describes our kitten Lemur, who not only attacks feet but sometimes hands as well. I'll definitely be using your tips to redirect her behavior. She's a good kitty, she just needs an outlet for all of her energy.
This 💯
Help Jackson, my cat is an absolute perfect angel and my heart can’t take it!
Quick! Get this person an ice cooler before their heart melts!
Mine is too only with just a bit of pepper added. Puuurfect!
I hear you! My Matilda is also! I love her severely!
My second cat was an ankle biter but it wasn't aggressive or angry behavior. She used to do it to get your attention. Used to crack me up the way she would do it. She would just saunter up to you, sit at your feet, give you a little nip, you jump out of your skin and look down to see two huge beautiful soulful eyes begging for attention.
That sounds adorable coming from your cat if she is truly as sweet, soft and innocent as you make her sound, however, my little 3-year-old ginger boy seems to have developed a bit of an unwanted habit of nipping at me whenever he decides I've spent too long not playing with him like when I'm on the toilet or trying to do my own thing for a little while, he's just become so needy, cheeky, spoiled (I think we feed him a little more than we probably should because my mother and I also very soft with him and give into his big, sweet and hopeful baby-like eyes verry easily just in case he is actually as hungry as he acts! 😅🥺🫣) and he follows me everywhere nearly every hour of the day and I just can't seem to get him to leave me alone and not nip or scratch for attention whenever I need him to give me some "me" time for myself... ._. :s And I am not a cold, mean, overly selfish or distant owner (or cat guardian/housemate/human parent as I prefer to refer to myself!) in the slightest as I try to give him plenty of play time, love and fuss every day, but having to follow him around constantly to play with or entertain him and/or see what he wants day after day is definitely taking its toll on my overall happiness, motivation and willpower as I only have very limited energy and an equally limited attention-span to begin with and I'm doing my best but it just never really feels like I'm doing enough for him no matter what I try to do to please him... (*Sigh...!*) 😓🥲
@ChocolateWhispersx I have a 3-yr old black tabby girl who is the same way. Occasionally she keeps fussing no matter how much I've played with her or fed her, so then I let her go outside to play in the yard for awhile. Its the only thing that helps.
Compared to my older cat, my new kitten Noodle has an unlimited energy reserve. All this play information is so helpful and will take getting used to. Knowing that these "annoying" habits are really just asks for more play is very reassuring.
We lost our cat in July to old age 🥺 and then adopted a kitten on August 31st. I was SHOCKED by how differently these two cats have acted. The kitten is WILDLY more active and attack-prone than the older cat was. It makes sense, ofc, but still, seeing it happen in real time has been a little wild.
Our new kitten does the “attack the legs as you walk by” thing when we’re getting up. He’s definitely at his most playful first thing in the morning.
Seeing this in other cats and knowing that it’s normal is VERY useful. Thank you. It’s been decades since we had a kitten, so I just didn’t know if this was a crazy characteristic of just our new kitten, or if all kittens did this kind of thing. Thanks for the info!
0:47 hands down, best cat in pounce-mode impression EVER 💕
Our ragdoll does this and attacks me. I’ve realized that as a cat parent, it's our responsibility to also play with them. The play aggression is not cool I’m glad I’m not the only one who experienced this and your video is very helpful.
My kitty does this! I recently realized that she just wants to play when she bites my ankles! 😂 She's about 1 or 2 years old so she still has her kitten energy!
Mine does the same, even though it is a very good hunter and gets rid off the mice. Best solution is to wear boots when the cat is around.
Mine is 14 years young and the same.
My cat does this when I sing 😬😭
My girl is going on 11 and she still plays rough with me 🤣
Sorry but your profile photo is so freaky 😂 that filter scares ne
I just adopted a 13 year old senior gentleman who I found out likes to do this upon me getting out of bed this morning. It was quite the wake up call.
I stubbed my toe on that pun. OUCH!
@@Eddie42023 haha 😂 no pun intended! He bit me HARD! Then licked my toes. It was a very odd morning to say the least.
Ashley, I think that you adopting a 13 yr old is absolutely wonderful we need more cat lovers like you.🐱
Thank you for adopting a senior cat.
@@ashleywildflower6451 just wear boots, problem solved.
Yes! My current foster cat needs a lot of attention of she will pounce and bite. I'm gonna send this to whoever adopts her, on top of all the explanation and info we usually give. Bc when she IS worn out, she's an amazingly calm and affectionate pet. It just takes a lot to wear her out, her prey drive is very strong.
I recently adopted a feral 3 year old female and she has the same behaviors.
We just adopted our first cat and she’s arriving in a month from her foster home in Greece. I’m learning so much from your channel Jackson! Thank you 😊
Syrios?
I can give you some advice? Adopt one more, cats are very needy being the only one, and the adaptation of a new cat is complicated, in the future you will want to adopt another cat
@@priscillad8 that all depends on the cat. We have a female senior cat and a male who adopted us about 4 years ago at about 9 months old. He still attacks the female. She avoids him like the plague. If you want more than one I would adopt 2 or more as kittens so they can grow up together.
@@tabs617 well, this behavior is normal, it's called an adaptation period, sometimes it takes months, but in the end it's good for them, not just for my opinion, there are several specialists I follow who say that, and of course two kittens will definitely be more🤗 Anyway, my advice was for to adopt one that already lived with him there
@@tabs617 wait, after 4 years do they still fight?
We had a fluffy calico once who would have what we came to call “jump rope time” every day. We’d hear a warbled, muffled meow from somewhere in the house, accompanied by a dragging noises, and that was our cue: she wanted not to chase, but to follow a green, plastic jump rope as one of us dragged it behind us on the hardwood floors, round and round the house. She would signal that the game had to begin by finding the rope, picking it up in her mouth, and dragging it around the house as she meowed; basically showing us what we had to do. My family would hear the sound and we’d all call out to each other, “it’s jump rope time! Jump rope tiiiiime!”, and then guilt each other into being the one who had to walk around and round the house for a half hour until a cat got bored. ❤️
What a character!
That's such an awesome adorable personalized kitty story. Thank you for sharing. 🐈🥰
How sweet 🥰 you’ll remember those moments forever!
Its amazing how much they own us. GOD LOVE EM.
That’s such a cute story 🥰 I just love cats 💕
Our kitten is all hunt/play. I know as he gets older he will have longer groom, nap, and cuddle times. We definitely will be implementing more routine for him.
Just adopted 2 kittens with my fiance and we are so grateful for your channel and knowledge. Thank you Jackson!
Our family cat only does it when he's been out baking in the sun for quite awhile, usually in the afternoon. We call it him being "sun drunk". It's like the sun melts his brain a little and he gets a bit nutty hehe.
Cat is basically like a solar panel.
@@SecretAgentBartFargo cat plant
'I've given you 3 chances to entertain me' 😄 I like this cat!!
My first house cat, Zorro, arrived when I was 65 years old. Previously, I had dogs in the house, a cat in the barn, and horses in the corral. Zorro is an eye-opener. Your videos are very helpful to me. Zorro is a rescue from a high-kill shelter, we got him when he was 4 months old. He has some damage to his spine and his gait is not perfect... so I won't add him to our barn cat situation. He is incredibly affectionate (at 10 months old now) but his play-biting drives me NUTS! Thanks for explaining how natural cat behaviors play out within a confined (home) environment. I learn something new every day
Awe zorro a cute name
Love the balloon analogy! The way I've always described it is "his tank is full of kitty energy!" Sometimes he gets cranky after I play with him and give him food, and I have to lay down with him to get him into the groom/cuddle/sleep mode. It's like having a feline toddler sometimes. LOL
We want to adopt a cat, but the shelter says he bites. I still want him. He just needs love. This is very helpful😊
❤
Love Jackson's personality! And how much he cares for the cats
As well as their guardians -- he's a holistic kind of guy who's been through a lot of hell and come out the other side!
I wish I could have dealt with my guy Nemo’s aggression better. He passed a few months ago at 15 1/2 and we understood each other deeply in his last 4 -5 years. Prior to that he would attack by biting hard enough to sink his teeth and claws fully in. I’m sure this was antisocial/anger issues because he was isolated for several years, mid life, due to marking issues This was due to other cats/territorial issues, despite being fixed.
When I got divorced I took him to live with me. He had his own space and no competition for food but the biting continued. The only way I knew how to deal with it was to get loudly angry (never physically violent) followed up by calm talking. It was my way of apologizing and he would fake sleep while I did this. Eventually, he stopped the biting and learned to touch me gently with his paw for attention.
It took a couple of years of blood, scars, and infections but we finally worked it out. We were friends in the end. I just wish I’d had a better way of changing his behavior. RIP buddy.
It's not easy when you have a cat with deep emotional/behavioural issues (see my post above). You did your best and gave him a loving home. Many others would have given up on him.
@@jdee4956 Many people told me to get rid of him (or worse). It never crossed my mind. I carried him home in the palm of my hand, saw him enjoy life and nature as a juvenile and young adult, and become isolated and antisocial mid life. I was determined to make him know that he was safe and loved for his last 7 years, when it was just me and him. I know that he felt that love (and returned it) in his final several years. 6 months on and I still miss him deeply.
Don't worry, you tried your best and I'm sure you gave him a nice life. 🥺
This is what I’m afraid of happening with my kitten. I’m not willing to have an aggressive cat, I’m not patient enough to deal with it. Ive been doing everything I can, and I hope she grows out of it.
@@KaraKdw Since your friend is still a kitten there is a lot of hope but, because of the nature of most cats, you will have to find some amount of patience. Spend a lot of time talking softly, eye contact (but not staring) with slow blinking, and learn when to give it space and when to give it attention. As your cat matures mentally and loses some of that kitten energy, you may find it’s actually a pretty mellow critter!
Sorry to double comment but this deserves a separate one... I don't normally like a lot of animal behaviour 'experts' , especially that nasty dog man, but this is top quality. You are using the techniques employed by some of the greatest psychologists - thorough observation coupled with a deep understanding and knowledge of typical and atypical behaviour and your conclusions are really spot on. I had to subscribe, which I just did.
At this point I can assume my cat can commit slaughter, grand theft auto, a bank heist, assassination and water board someone then turn up to court and plead not guilty due to playtime.
A friend's cat did that to him once when he returned from vacation. She drew blood. It happened only once and was clearly punishment for leaving her for 9 days. She was well cared for during that time, but not by her main servant.
well, that's just great. i bet the cat got plenty of fun and affectionate care and enjoyed it. then when the owner comes back, the cat is still like ' i'm not letting it slide you were gone all this time.'
Yikes. I am glad my Siamese just ignored me about eight hours when I went out of town and left her in the care of someone else. And she peed on me twice quite deliberately to express her great displeasure in something I did. I learned immediately not to do those things again and she never peed on me again in her 17 years.
@@tonibauer2405 I had my cat for 20 years. The first time she was left alone when we all went to the State Fair for the day, she dug every indoor plant out of every pot in the house! "I'll show YOU, leaving me alone!" As it turned out, my grandparents started aging to the point that both didn't go out with us younger folk at the same time, so someone was always at home with her when we did social things. I'm sure she approved of that little circumstance.
There are people who can’t take responsibility for their own negative feelings- they troll and criticise and do thumbs down as an outlet for their (non-play) aggression. This is not a political video- so there’s nothing to actually be against. So - thumbs down on something as innocuous as this video can equal only one thing - emotionally dishonest trolls. Rock on, Jackson. Keep doin what you’re doin- you’re a goldmine.
This has been a life saver. I started playing with my Obi-Wan. He has stopped acting like Maul. Lol. Thanks. He doesn’t attack my toes anymore.
Hello Donna how are you doing today
My boy has always been super playful, and that included ankle pouncing. When I saw the signs of him getting wound up (wide eyes, ears fixed forward or back, tail thrashing), I'd start walking around with a wand toy and twitch that to divert his attention. I'd have a couple of the toys stashed around the house for that purpose. Since starting that, I haven't had him go for the ankles in years.
Jackson you missed a cool clue during the "wind up" before the kill. 5:42 those iris's couldn't get any wider. This guy was taking in full light just before the pounce. I love it when my oldest cat still does this with me. When he does this its game time! We have a blast chasing each other around the room.
Yep, wide eyes and slightly tipped back ears are a sure sign that my cat is in KILL MODE.
My cat used to wait under my bed for me every night while I went through my bedtime routine... And then when I came out, and was getting into bed, BAM! She’d pounce on my poor bare feet/ankles/lower leg. I began redirecting her with treats. As soon as I would come out of my bathroom, I would shake the treat bag, and wait for her to jump up on my bed. It didn’t take her long to catch on, and stop pouncing. Now she will wait on top of my bed, wait until I get into bed, and then she gets her treats. She’ll usually take off right after that, and go through her zoomies for about 10 or 20 minutes, and then settle in. Thanks for the videos!! You have really helped my kitty and me have an awesome relationship 😻 I am learning all the time.
One thing I’m curious about - I don’t think I’ve ever heard you play guitar 🤔
My cat gets up next to me I pet and all of a sudden she scratches and bites. When I go to bed and she wants to go also. As so as I lift up my feet and put on bed she bites and grabs my feet to the point of I can't get her off. I have bites a and scratches all over feet and hands. What to do. I love her. I got her rite from her mother. Never by children or other pets. My Dr said get rid of her. I can't. Please respond. Thank you.
@@barbarasattar501 what a nonsense to get rid of her! Try the tools that are handed to you on this channel.
I found a cat on the street with this behaviour. Of course I'll never know, but I think they got rid of him because of this behaviour. I have different tactics. One that always works is get his attention elsewhere. I have some cattreats that I throw through the room. First one, he chases it. Then the next one. 3 will do the tric.
Succes! And please, don't get rid of him.
It makes me realize that not just kittens like to play but adult cats do too. I have come to really appreciate my kitty Caterina so much in what a amazing creature she is. She has become not just my pet but a friend and a member of our family in her own kitty ways 💕 😺 ❤️.
It’s not “play aggression”. It’s “play”. Your cat is saying, c’mon, let’s play. It’s easy. Play with your cat.
Then why does he act bored with toys when I start to play?
Play aggression is still a real term..
@@jacoblee8181Toy fatigue is a real thing! Rotate the toys to stop your cat from getting bored.
As a new cat dad I love this channel. So much great advice. Thank you Mr Galaxy
I really appreciate your videos, Jackson. We had indoor/outdoor cats over 60 years and just let them be while enjoying their love e dovee time with us. I did tire of our furniture being destroyed so when out last cat died we didn't get another. Afyer 8 years catless, 3 months ago we adopted a front de-clawed 6 years old from SPCA. Well, a lot happened in pet acquisition in 8 years! We always got our kittens from kids in front of the grocery store, had then calculated and spade, they'd live 12 to 18 years then we'd get another front a litter in a box at the grocery.
Well, in the months before we adopted our Piper I discovered your show. I learned that adopting a cat is much more involved.
Piper was a scared, attack cat that was the last cat in the adoption pool. Because of your show I decided to give her and me an opportunity to fir a new experience.
Well we are 3 months in. The first 2 weeks were rough! But I established a routine based on her needs and she is a happy cat!
I chose toys that made her feel successful (because she is declawed) and we play 4 times a day before meals. Yea, I have to feed her 4 times a day. I figured out her calorie needs and divided by 4.
Repeating in my head are your mantras. Hunt, catch, kill, eat, groom, sleep, repeat. Play with your cat. Play with your cat.....I'm so glad I discovered your videos. I would not have gotten a cat again but you inspired me to challenged myself. I got a special needs 6 year old cat who had never been played with and was deemed a vicious biter... the last in the shelter and angry as heck.
I love Piper! We are getting along fine and advancing to new adjustments.
How lucky Piper is to have found you♥️
Well done you! It's not hard to see why a cat with no claws would bite ... declawing, leaving a cat feeling defenceless, is horrible,
@@jdee4956 Hello Dee how are you doing today
The little kitten GIF at 2:48 is the cutest thing I've seen all month
When my baby was a kitten she was an extremely aggressive player. I knew at the time that it was play versus an angry attacking, she wasn't angry just super hyped (she's also an excellent mouser). I tried to wear her out through play time, toys after toys but she would get bored and lunge past the toy and grapple my arms. After quite a few methods and actually getting another cat friend the manic need to hunt momma subsided. She has a friend to hang out with and they chase each other around and she's turned into my snuggle buddy. I know that understanding what they are doing ie, excited play versus not, helped to come at the situation rationally.
Hello Linda how’s the weather over there
This was exactly my situation also. You see this wild look in her eyes and you knew it was play time. Her play wasn’t too aggressive, but she definitely was a lot crazier before we got our second kitty. Since then, she’s been a lot more chill.
My cat did that when I first adopted him. Took a long time but he does not do it now. Thank goodness.
Same, almost 2 years
I think cats are very teachable if you bond with them first. My kitty loves me, so if I express disappointment or sadness when she does something wrong, she gets it. And adjusts her behavior. She’s soooo wonderful!
Thank you for the advice! We recognized our relatives' cats probably needed more play, but this helped so much with what to look for and how to make sure everyone was happy
This is really helpful. My 3 year old cat is a love bug, but occasionally attacks me and draws blood. Usually right before I go to bed. Now, I will be sure his energy is discharged with a bit of vigorous play. Thanks!
Hello Jeanine how’s the weather over there
Watching my new kitten try to play with my fully grown colony (there not strays lol, i just really like the term) is so heart warming. There so patient with her hunting them around the house.
Jackson. Thank you so much for this video. I've had cats all my life and never had any issues. My kitty Cruella ( I was singing the song 1 day and she kept coming to what ever room I was in. So that's her name.)
was a rescue. And she has behavior issues. My arms are permanently scarred from her. But this video helped me to understand the hunt, catch, and kill, cycle. Just knowing this has helped Cruella not be so cruel. Lol
Thank you so much.
Michelle and Cruella
Our cat does this exact thing. When I see this face and body language, I know he's about to pounce. He actually LOVES when you chase him at this point. When Tucker was sort of turning around to go, that's where I would slap my knees and go "I'M GONNA GET YOU" and he will sprint full speed out of the room. But be careful, because he will then turn around and start chasing you. It's a fun game of back and forth in which he gets to use up some of the energy and he never actually feels the need to pounce.
Hello Sabbie how are you doing today
This was so helpful! Especially the hunt-catch-kill, eat-groom-sleep cycles. Charli showed up at our barn as a half-grown kitten in February, and was just the lovingest, sweetest little cat.
But after a few weeks, I guess she got comfortable because she added bitey sessions to her repertoire. I know she wasn't being mad, because sometimes it was licks, sometimes it was bites that drew blood.
We ALMOST got things under control on our own. I learned that when I got in in the evening, I'd get about two minutes of snuggles, then it had to be Fishy-onna-stick for 15 minutes or more. Then tuna time.
Sometimes that wasn't enough to turn off bitey grooming time. She's still a growing kitten, so maybe not enough play. Depends on the day.
I hope I can use treats to more effectively signal, OK, playtime over. Time for grooming and sleep.
My other two cats are 14, so they are definitely more on the groom-sleep side of things. And they definitely get cranky when THEY are the prey. I think I can help divert Charli better now.
Thanks, Jackson!
These videos are so helpful in helping to understand my cat more. It’s amazing that making a few behavior adjustments of my own is REALLY APPRECIATED by my cat! They do notice! lol
I love it when my cats do that. Sometimes they hide behind the curtain or under the bed and patiently wait for someone to walk by. Then jump out and attack your leg and dash back behind the curtain or under the bed. As if the person attacked has no idea where the attack came from?
Hello Kimberly how’s the weather over there
My cat used to do this, and after watching your show I realized what I needed to do as a cat mom but I'm glad I found this video to confirm my suspicions! You've always been so helpful and thanks to your channel I've found a new appreciation and love for cats 🐈💕
My female feral kitten attacks me alot. I have had to pry open her vice grip jaw from my hand so many times. TY for this info. VERY HELPFUL & INFORMATIVE. Wooden clothes pins are a good toy for cats. She jumps at it when I throw it & she brings it back to me carrying it in her mouth. So cute!!! Will add more play time to her day. ...
Thing is, when we keep a cat, we have to treat them like a family. We have to feed them, take care of them, give the attention and quality time they need. People usually think that only dogs needs lots of attention, and cats don't. That's far from the truth. Cat psychology is very important, so we know them well, like how we know our family members. I love cats😊
I noticed that making an 'auwtch' sound really helps. Kittens seem to know it means that you're hurt and they most likely will stop scratching/biting right away.
You do need to be consistent, so every time they use their claws or teeth, you must say it. If you forget, they won't know when they are hurting you and when they aren't.
Exactly, there needs to be communication.
When my late cat accidentally bit too hard, he'd immediately notice by the tone change from playful *ouch* to reprimanding *ouch* and immediately let go and put himself in "sorry mode", showing submissive behaviour!
Even a sign, which for us has always been a raised index finger, is enough to show him (and the whole load of other cats we had/have) that they've gone too far.
People don't understand this and expect cats to be dumb, and label them as assholes all the time, when they're the ones at fault.
My kitten doesn’t give a damn if I say ouch. Shes happy to continue her attack on my hands 😫
So far, they have been good at getting my clothes and missing my skin. I just lean in whatever direction. Wuffles
My 14 week old kitten, tabby named Neko, has my shins tore up! Thankfully he’s getting better, I’m trying to teach him to be “a good boy” and get a toy and bring it to me when he wants to play. But there was 2 weeks that he was off the charts! lol. But I’d like to add when he’s sweet he’s SO sweet, when he’s not he’s not. True Gemini 🤣🤣🤣
I love watching training and behavior from a scientific point of view.
It's consistent. It's clear. It's repeatable.
Our deaf cat does this sometimes. Even without motion. Our interpretation is, that this is her way of telling us she’s hungry. As in “I want meat in between my teeth”. Seems to work.
It might be better not to feed her after she attacks. Cats learn fast. Let her find another way to let you know she’s hungry.
@@athag1 You are right, we might be sending her the wrong message. Her biting has gotten better nevertheless. It was at the beginning when we got her from the shelter. She has been with us for over a year now together with our first cat. I believe she feels better and more secure. She rarely does it now. Thanks for the advice.
I so appreciate your videos. My cat Babe...indoors.....used to be feral. Sometimes she does a gentle love bite thing. Once I learned not to overreact...I stopped pulling away. And she just gently bites down and releases. I pet her and we do fine. Now I play more with her. She and Two Kitty have many outdoor views of bird feeders and other cats. I so love my individual cats. Thks Jackson for your thoughtful helpful videos. Babe says Thks....also! Ahna
My oldest cat does it too. Even when I do play with her every day. As soon as her energy is up she’s more energetic than our youngest cat (they’re both still kittens). I’m happy they have each other. They play together all the time. I just have to watch out in the morning and evening in bed to not let my foot out of the covers cause I’ll have claws in them if I do. I do let her attack when my feet are under the covers. She doesn’t realize at that moment that it’s my foot. Right now they’re sleeping and cuddling together 😍
My cat does that when I'm sitting, when she does I usually find a toy to play with her, and I love your videos, I grew up with cats, but I've learned a lot from watching your videos
Oh my gosh, me too! She loves to play hide and seek. It's hilarious. She never bites hard or use her claws, she's playing and I love it!
Thanks Jackson, THIS is the ONE I needed to see! THIS is MAX! Exactly! Now I understand I have no excuse not to play and drain the raw cat energy at predictable times - so grateful!! Blessings 😊🐱😊
Those who made a thumbs down hates constructive advices.
I haven't seen a thumbs down value in about 8 years, how are you still seeing it?
Thank you so much for this, my cat likes to go for my ankles when she's agitated, and she sometimes bites hard (which I have to make sure I don't accidentally kick her when she does). She does have soft attacks too, so I know it's her stressing out at what I'm pretty sure is routine change.
Mine actually plays AFTER she eats. And she lets us know by running around, meowing. She will come to where i am, meow really loud then when I look at her she runs away. She’s so irresistible.
Mine too! After eating she's super wound up, meowing loudly until I come and entertain her.
@@amandasmith1236 I swear kids are easier!! Hahaha.
Thank you for this video! My 11 month old kitten loves to bite my ankle especially when I go into the shower lol, so I always bring his favorite fish toy so it guards me from his fierce bite 🥲
Really great video. My niece’s young male cat has been attacking her quite viciously, even when she’s sitting down. I sent her a link to this in hopes it will help. If she follows your advice, I bet she’ll have success! Makes so much sense. Especially love the idea to have pocket redirection supplies.
Did it work out? I'm so curious!
Looking for attention. I have been a cat mommy for years and I know! If kitty is behaving in this way, they are living breathing thinking beings and they are asking you to notice what they are saying, they are communicating. Hungry, not well, territory breach etc. It may not be about them, it may be what they are picking up about yourself
Hello Denise how are you doing today
Thanks!
My sisters cat used to hide and then pounce on our legs. We used to affectionately call him “demon spawn.”He was less than a year old so when she got another kitten and he had a little sister to play with, it completely stopped. Now he’s the perfect angel cat and takes all his play aggression out on his sister
What a great simply understood explanation to the psychology of cats. Thank you ⚘
Hello Jackie how’s the weather over there
I just started spraying my legs with bitter spray in the morning. I’ll play with him, but I’m also trying to deter him from ever wanting to bite me. It works like a charm but he got super aggressive today and I played for a long time then left the upstairs for him to be alone. Sometimes just being in another area when they get that way helps a lot. I put on his automatic play toys and go downstairs. It frustrates me that he gets that way sometimes but he’s a rescue and I’m sure some of it comes from whatever background he had. 90% of the time he’s a super good sweet boy. We’ve learned to deal.
My cat does this when I'm sleeping and I don't mind it at all, it's because in the morning he's super hyper and has a lot of energy. In place of my foot I give him a little stuffed animal and he starts to attack it and bite it haha.
My cat is SO CHILL. She never attacks, she just sleeps, I only gets scratches when I know I did something wrong. She’s so sweet and lovable even though she loves not being held and cuddled
same !!
This explains my cat. I get so many swipes first thing in the morning. All I do is get up. Moving the blankets off me, I’m already saying no, Zoe. She really perks up then. So now I know. Thank you!!
I keep telling my cat I am not a caribou grazing in the serengeti. He just does the most.
This is so helpful! I work from home, and every morning I go to my home office, my cat jumps at my legs and tries to play scratch at me. Drives me crazy!
My new kitten has been doing this to me. My whole body is covered in scratches and scars. I've had cats My entire life but this baby has been the worst.
Super helpful video about the routine. Going to work on that big time.
My kitty likes to bunnykick my feet, even when I'm playing with him with a wand or teaser toy. So, I wear two socks on each foot in our home now.
Does he have a really good bunnykicker? I think most aren’t big enough. Sockkitty makes a cat sized bunny kicker. It’s got crinkles and catnip inside, and it’s way more appealing than your legs and hands.
@@professorbutters My cat likes to bunnykick his wand toys, so I've tried giving him bigger kickers, but any time a toy is much bigger than, IDK, let's say a hand, he acts afraid and runs away from it! I don't know what to get him since he acts fearful of most kickers.
@@heatherbryant4197 😆😂🤣
My cat gets tangled in wand toys. He needs a kicker toy.
@@heatherbryant4197 yeah, my cat tends to only love feathery things and very very small things...or pieces of dried plant and friggin dried out moths lol. Sometimes I catch her doing about three halfassed stomps from her hindlegs on the sad floorbanana in the hallway and very sneakily she moves the furry mouse to my bed at night but that's about it. Kong kickeroo is just collecting dust, even more than the floorbanana. it is too big for her.
In the evenings? Oh, that's cat o'clock! Happens just before bedtime every single night.
Cats naturally hunt at dusk and dawn.
My cat is so precious! She isn't aware of how strong she is so when we play fight she always leaves deep scratches that take days to heal. But shes always so apologetic, she curls up on my stomach and purrs. Even at 9 years old she acts the same as when she was a kitten. She's an adorable lynx point tabby with a brown nose and the cutest little pink beans!
She was smaller than her siblings and she's super quiet but she makes up for it with her sharp claws, being amazing at hunting despite never having gone outside, and an amazing personality!
My cat Tucker will make like he is about to pounce on me (usually when he is under the bed and I cannot see him), but he always stops short of actually grabbing me. It is the same thing with bunny feet - he does it on my hand, but he does not use claws.
I always ask my cat: “why are you hunting humans, what would you even DO if you caught a human? Eat a whole human?” Luckily he doesn’t bite, just runs to chase me and it’s fun
the world needs more videos like this,videos where a cats behaviour is described in detail.
too many people do not understand or misunderstand their cats body language.i have had cats for 50+ years
i have a maine coon kitten 5 mo not pure breed,they really need to play hard to get the excess energy out.
Our baby boy likes to hide and then jumps out when we walk by. Its really funny and cute at sane time, sometimes we can see him hiding, but that jump is so high. He jumps and turns and then runs away like saying 'Got ya...Haha' 😂 You can tell he's just a little kittie kid. 😉
My older cat "attacks" only mine & my daughter's ankles only & she does it randomly. I will definitely try playing with her when she does it.
My other kitty "puts me to bed", then goes after my feet if they're sitting on the floor.
I'll hafta get a different toy for her 😄
Thank you Jackson for all of your wonderful advice 👍👍👍👍👍
oh my gosh, i adopted a stray and love him to pieces and he does this all this time...this is great!
Hey, ya know there's such a thing as telling the cat NO! Or hissing @ them! Worked for me w/o harming my relationship with my 🐈!
This is one of the most wholesome channels on RUclips, I always give it a thumbs up! :D
Jackson, you're amazing!! 💙
As a person who grew up with dogs and horses, cats confused me. I love your videos because you break it down in such a wonderful and loving way. I love cats and now I am starting understand how to show them my love.
My wife goes through the same thing every morning while fixing a cup of coffee. She moves around the kitchen and gets jumped. I've noticed that our tuxedo (Pepper) often goes for the foot that is momentarily stationary while walking. Cats are very intelligent.
Hello Darrell how are you doing today
Thanks so much Jackson. I struggle with this with Toby. I think I'm largely to blame because I often turn the ankle biting into a quick wrestle with mommy play session and then try to move on but he's not done. Your tips are great and I'm gonna go toy shopping soon!
My 15 month old cat (but she will always be a kitten to me) "hides" crouched down on the seat of the couch and when I walk by 13:23 13:23 surprises me by jumping on the back of the couch and jumps to my arm, but never has her claws out. She's such a sweetheart!❤ I am so smitten with her! It's too bad my little Yorkie doesn't love her.