Cats kick themselves sometimes out of instinct. Funny videos have surfaced over the internet showing cats perform ridiculous stunts. But some medical findings explain that cats who kick themselves or exhibit other acts of self-harm are suffering from hyperesthesia syndrome. This is a disorder in cats that causes them to harm themselves.
But do cats enjoy hitting themselves? This article answers this question and more. But firstly, let’s look at why these sweet creatures kick themselves in the face.
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Table of Contents
Why Do Cats Kick Themselves In The Face?
Cats are intelligent creatures and are constantly aware of their environment. And that leaves us, humans, wondering why our pet cats sometimes bust weird moves. Well, the first good part of this is that most cats do this. Felines do this instinctively. And like how some people can tickle themselves, some cats can also trigger this on their own. The uncontrollable kicking starts first, and the kitty often has to bite itself to retract the instinct. It’s similar to what happens when our muscle twitches, and we try to snap out of it. But the question of why our favorite pets actually do this is still somewhat mysterious.
The details of this action have not really been studied by scientists. But some medical claims associate the behavior with hyperesthesia. However, the frontline of this study states that it is both a defense and hunting mechanism. That’s probably surprising for most people as it just seemed like our cats were showing acrobatic moves.
Some medical claims associate the behavior of cats kicking themselves with hyperesthesia. However, the frontline of this study states that it is both a defense and hunting mechanism.
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Why Does My Cat Kick Himself With His Back Legs?
As a cat owner, it is not unusual to have noticed your little guy kicking with his hind legs. That’s particularly obvious when playing with your cat or sometimes when your cat is on the defensive. Typically, when felines are about to be attacked or being attacked, they roll on their backs. It’s just his way of threatening his attacker by showing all four paws. In the rare case of an actual attack, your cat might grab his opponent with the forelimbs. Then, he will attack by using its claws to kick at the abdomen of his opponent.
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Why Do Cats Bite And Bunny Kick?
As little as a bunny kick sounds harmless, it can actually be dangerous even for a cat owner. While playing with your cat, you may have noticed that he sometimes bites lightly and kicks with his hind legs. This is originally a self-defense tactic used by both wild cats and domestic ones. Felines will fall on their backs and intentionally expose their belly to trick their opponents. In most cases, the act is harmless from a domestic cat. But a feral cat could be aggressive.
Additionally, cats bite as part of their playful process. They usually bite lightly while playing with their owners. But usually, the bite doesn’t hurt so much or become an injury. Nevertheless, this could be different for a stranger. It’s essential to be careful playing with cats that are not familiar with you!
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Related Questions
Why Do Cats Attack Their Own Feet?
Your cat is most likely not a weirdo like you may think. For cats, biting their own limbs is not uncommon. In fact, this is a significantly popular situation linked to grooming. Grooming is a normal process for felines, from licking to chewing their nails. A cat’s claws have layers that grow from the inside out. These layers could have become worn over time. As a result, your cat bites on it to expose the sharp claw layer underneath. And that is what makes your cat constantly seem like it’s attacking itself.
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Why Does My Cat Grab My Hand And Bite Me?
Cats have hunting instincts. Sometimes, they may become aggressive with their owners too. So, your pet might sometimes grab your hand and bite it. This is how cats in the wild disembowel prey to feed on them. Nevertheless, if your domestic cat bites your hand, that doesn’t mean he wants to eat them. Your cat could just be playing with you.
Why Do Cats Kick Their Back Leg when Playing?
During play sessions with pet cats, owners have noticed that their kittens sometimes kick. This act of hind leg kicking in cats is mostly considered feline play. However, sometimes, it could your pet might play aggressively with you and scratch you. And this is why it’s important to train your pet to stop this behavior. So, you must draw a line and train your pet to stop this act. You can encourage your pet to stop it by using positive reinforcement.
Why Does My Cat Kick The Wall?
All animals have their natural wild instincts. Some cat owners notice strange behavioral patterns in their pets, and one such behavior is wall kicking. Some cats occasionally back up against the wall and kick it rapidly. It’s not a completely strange behavior because felines sometimes do this to claim their territory. In the wild, cats would pee on the wall before kicking on it. However, domesticated cats that are potty trained may only kick walls to protect their territory.
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Final Thoughts.
Cats are majestic creatures that have a whole type of walk named after them. These beautiful creatures always exhibit strange actions from time to time. Some have their owners wondering about how normal their pet is. However, most of these actions are quite normal and denote a healthy mind in a cat. You have no cause to be alarmed or threatened by these patterns because they are mostly instinctive.
Most importantly, never spank your pet when he plays roughly around you. Instead, use positive reinforcement to correct behavioral problems in your pet. And remember to be careful around sensitive areas like the tail and the belly while playing with him. These are vulnerable parts in felines, and your pet may become aggressive when you touch them. Asides from these, you have no worries about the sweet little kitty that’s roaming your home.
