Cats bat at objects to get a better understanding of their surroundings, but they also do it to see whether the object they just touched won’t move and present a chance for play.
Image credit : jeff gery
Some cats, particularly those with eyesight problems, will bat at items to feel the consistency of what’s there and determine whether they’re in danger or not.
Cats often bat objects for the following causes:
1. They were born to hunt.
For the majority of cats, batting items is a typical form of behaviour since it stimulates them to play.
Image credit : Łukasz Wydysz
Once a cat has hunted a mouse in the wild, the small rodent will eventually grow up to be something else.
But initially, the mouse will start to feel dizzy from all the movement or rough play that the cat has engaged in, and if the cat isn’t extremely hungry, it may eventually stop moving altogether.
If the cat insists on playing, she will swat at it to get its attention and get it to “come back to life” so she can have a little more fun.
an animal hunting
Despite the fact that it can seem cruel to you, this is actually how wild cats initially learn to hunt.
Image credit : Waidler_75
Although we already know that they have keen instincts, they constantly work to hone them, and tiny prey is the only way they can accomplish this.
The majority of cats swat at various items in your home for this same purpose.
Have you ever used one of those toy wands to play with your cat, for instance?
If you have and you’ve left it somewhere in your home, you undoubtedly already know that even when you aren’t holding it and jiggling it in the air, your cat will want to play with it.
Domestic cats have managed to keep this instinct, and despite the fact that it may seem stupid, they are always trying to animate inanimate objects so they can play with them or make them “act” like actual prey.
2. They are Observing Their Environment
If you’ve ever done any research, you undoubtedly already know that dogs’ and cats’ eyes have very different eyesight.
Cats are far more adept at seeing in complete darkness, so at night.
Additionally, they can see better due to their binocular vision.
But when it comes to their field of vision, dogs have far better eyesight.
This implies that they are capable of noticing numerous things at once. Humans can only see 180 degrees, compared to 240 degrees for dogs and 200 degrees for cats.
the cat bats at the string
Both dogs and cats are capable of ‘funnelling’ sound into their ears, but cats have a somewhat higher hearing range than dogs.
This means that cats heavily rely on their sense of hearing while they are hunting, maybe even more so than they do on their eyesight, especially if they are hunting during the day.
Cats can feel the constancy of different places or objects without necessarily getting into trouble by batting at things in their homes.
3. They Desire Focus
Let’s face it, cats aren’t the most kind and considerate animals in the world when they bat at something.
They will therefore, at least partially, catch your notice or pique your interest.
Batting at things can occasionally even be amusing, especially in cats with poor vision.
cat sunbathing on its back with its paws up
Due to the fact that they cannot see things as clearly as other cats, these cats tend to explore their surroundings a little differently. They may become terrified more readily, and they may also bat a blanket that they have repeatedly sat on.
Last but not least, if you’ve ever moved your foot under a blanket and your cat saw it, she might be picturing your foot as a mouse or another something she can catch and play with.
What makes cats bat at one another?
Play or aggression are the two main causes of this, and they are nearly equal in importance.
Cats naturally interact through play, especially those who have lived together for a while.
a cat bats another cat
They feel safe enough to occasionally step outside of their comfort zones and play a bit rough since they know each other and can sometimes appreciate their partner’s emotions.
However, batting can be very dangerous if it is done aggressively.
Not all cats make good friends, so depending on how you got to know them, you could have to cope with rivalries and territorial disputes.
Another challenging component of this behavior is how rapidly hitting as a game-related activity may change into something else, nearly aggressive.
two-cats-fighting-indoors
As you may expect, it is your duty to divert your cats’ attention so that they will stop fighting.
To demonstrate dominance or simply obtain the attention of the other cat, cats might bat at each other.
Giving them a break is one way to get your cats to quit hitting or swatting at one another.
If you have more than two rooms available, temporarily removing the cats from one another might help with the issue.
Additionally, they could detest being apart so much that they develop a slight affection for one another.
Keeping cats in separate rooms for one or even two weeks can help them gradually reacclimate to each other as cats’ aggression is frequently the result of improper socialization.
2. Distinguish Them
One issue that some pet owners run into is having to use the same food and water dishes or even litter boxes for both of their cats because of a lack of room.
This is regrettably incorrect on several levels.
Even if they are not the dominant cats, cats must be able to identify specific regions as their own.
First encounter of two cats in an alley
Additionally, when two cats share a litter box, the bacteria from their feces and urine are easily transferred from one pet to the other.
A minimum of two different food and water dishes, as well as three or more litter boxes, should be available for your cats.
And occasionally, if you don’t have enough room, you could have to keep just one cat for the time being.
3. Interrupt and stop aggressive behavior
Although some might advise you to stay out of the way when your cats are acting aggressively toward one another, sometimes conflicts can get so terrible that you need to find a way to separate them.
Never attempt to do it yourself since you run the risk of getting hurt or mistakenly putting one of your cats’ health and safety in peril.
However, at that point, it doesn’t seem like a bad idea to shower them with water to make them part ways.
She can be taken to another room after you manage to hold onto one. If your cat is still acting a little hostile, cover her with a towel or handle her with safety gloves.
4. Quit praising them.
If you want to divert your cats’ attention away from their fighting and you want to do this with cat treats, reconsider.
eating a snack, a cat
If you start acting in this way, you’ll essentially be telling them that fighting is acceptable and that it might result in you rewarding them with snacks.
Only give your kitties treats when they get along nicely.
Utilize pheromones.
Using a solution like Feliway may be a smart idea if everything else fails, but not all cats will respond to it.
However, some do, and as a result, they become a little calmer and are less inclined to start the fight.
On the other hand, even if the dominant cat calms down, at least she won’t be as eager to react to the other cat’s hostility, leading her to search for a serene location away from her.
What Causes Cats to Bat at Things?
Cats bat at objects to get a better understanding of their surroundings, but they also do it to see whether the object they just touched won’t move and present a chance for play.
Image credit : jeff gery
Some cats, particularly those with eyesight problems, will bat at items to feel the consistency of what’s there and determine whether they’re in danger or not.
Cats often bat objects for the following causes:
1. They were born to hunt.
For the majority of cats, batting items is a typical form of behaviour since it stimulates them to play.
Image credit : Łukasz Wydysz
Once a cat has hunted a mouse in the wild, the small rodent will eventually grow up to be something else.
But initially, the mouse will start to feel dizzy from all the movement or rough play that the cat has engaged in, and if the cat isn’t extremely hungry, it may eventually stop moving altogether.
If the cat insists on playing, she will swat at it to get its attention and get it to “come back to life” so she can have a little more fun.
an animal hunting
Despite the fact that it can seem cruel to you, this is actually how wild cats initially learn to hunt.
Image credit : Waidler_75
Although we already know that they have keen instincts, they constantly work to hone them, and tiny prey is the only way they can accomplish this.
The majority of cats swat at various items in your home for this same purpose.
Have you ever used one of those toy wands to play with your cat, for instance?
If you have and you’ve left it somewhere in your home, you undoubtedly already know that even when you aren’t holding it and jiggling it in the air, your cat will want to play with it.
Domestic cats have managed to keep this instinct, and despite the fact that it may seem stupid, they are always trying to animate inanimate objects so they can play with them or make them “act” like actual prey.
2. They are Observing Their Environment
If you’ve ever done any research, you undoubtedly already know that dogs’ and cats’ eyes have very different eyesight.
Cats are far more adept at seeing in complete darkness, so at night.
Additionally, they can see better due to their binocular vision.
But when it comes to their field of vision, dogs have far better eyesight.
This implies that they are capable of noticing numerous things at once. Humans can only see 180 degrees, compared to 240 degrees for dogs and 200 degrees for cats.
the cat bats at the string
Both dogs and cats are capable of ‘funnelling’ sound into their ears, but cats have a somewhat higher hearing range than dogs.
This means that cats heavily rely on their sense of hearing while they are hunting, maybe even more so than they do on their eyesight, especially if they are hunting during the day.
Cats can feel the constancy of different places or objects without necessarily getting into trouble by batting at things in their homes.
3. They Desire Focus
Let’s face it, cats aren’t the most kind and considerate animals in the world when they bat at something.
They will therefore, at least partially, catch your notice or pique your interest.
Batting at things can occasionally even be amusing, especially in cats with poor vision.
cat sunbathing on its back with its paws up
Due to the fact that they cannot see things as clearly as other cats, these cats tend to explore their surroundings a little differently. They may become terrified more readily, and they may also bat a blanket that they have repeatedly sat on.
Last but not least, if you’ve ever moved your foot under a blanket and your cat saw it, she might be picturing your foot as a mouse or another something she can catch and play with.
What makes cats bat at one another?
Play or aggression are the two main causes of this, and they are nearly equal in importance.
Cats naturally interact through play, especially those who have lived together for a while.
a cat bats another cat
They feel safe enough to occasionally step outside of their comfort zones and play a bit rough since they know each other and can sometimes appreciate their partner’s emotions.
However, batting can be very dangerous if it is done aggressively.
Not all cats make good friends, so depending on how you got to know them, you could have to cope with rivalries and territorial disputes.
Another challenging component of this behavior is how rapidly hitting as a game-related activity may change into something else, nearly aggressive.
two-cats-fighting-indoors
As you may expect, it is your duty to divert your cats’ attention so that they will stop fighting.
To demonstrate dominance or simply obtain the attention of the other cat, cats might bat at each other.
Giving them a break is one way to get your cats to quit hitting or swatting at one another.
If you have more than two rooms available, temporarily removing the cats from one another might help with the issue.
Additionally, they could detest being apart so much that they develop a slight affection for one another.
Keeping cats in separate rooms for one or even two weeks can help them gradually reacclimate to each other as cats’ aggression is frequently the result of improper socialization.
2. Distinguish Them
One issue that some pet owners run into is having to use the same food and water dishes or even litter boxes for both of their cats because of a lack of room.
This is regrettably incorrect on several levels.
Even if they are not the dominant cats, cats must be able to identify specific regions as their own.
First encounter of two cats in an alley
Additionally, when two cats share a litter box, the bacteria from their feces and urine are easily transferred from one pet to the other.
A minimum of two different food and water dishes, as well as three or more litter boxes, should be available for your cats.
And occasionally, if you don’t have enough room, you could have to keep just one cat for the time being.
3. Interrupt and stop aggressive behavior
Although some might advise you to stay out of the way when your cats are acting aggressively toward one another, sometimes conflicts can get so terrible that you need to find a way to separate them.
Never attempt to do it yourself since you run the risk of getting hurt or mistakenly putting one of your cats’ health and safety in peril.
However, at that point, it doesn’t seem like a bad idea to shower them with water to make them part ways.
She can be taken to another room after you manage to hold onto one. If your cat is still acting a little hostile, cover her with a towel or handle her with safety gloves.
4. Quit praising them.
If you want to divert your cats’ attention away from their fighting and you want to do this with cat treats, reconsider.
eating a snack, a cat
If you start acting in this way, you’ll essentially be telling them that fighting is acceptable and that it might result in you rewarding them with snacks.
Only give your kitties treats when they get along nicely.
Utilize pheromones.
Using a solution like Feliway may be a smart idea if everything else fails, but not all cats will respond to it.
However, some do, and as a result, they become a little calmer and are less inclined to start the fight.
On the other hand, even if the dominant cat calms down, at least she won’t be as eager to react to the other cat’s hostility, leading her to search for a serene location away from her.
Cats bat at you, why?
You may be curious as to why your cat bats at visitors, whether they are you or other family members.
Cats can bat at people to seek their attention or to play, just like they can swat at objects in their house or even other animals.
how come cats bat?
The majority of cats will happily sit next to you for the next hour or so if you take them up and cuddle or play with them for just five to ten minutes.
Naturally, cats will also bat at humans if they start to feel uneasy for whatever reason.
In other words, they do it to signal to others that what they are doing is bothering them and that they need to quit.
A cat grooming itself is the best illustration of this. Cats spend their time grooming their bodies and are exceptionally clean animals, as you undoubtedly already know.
However, the majority of cats typically become rather irritated when other animals or humans intrude on their space.
You shouldn’t interfere when your cat is grooming herself. She will have to start again from scratch if not.
If your cat is in the middle of her grooming ritual, you might find it insulting that she seems to want to groom herself shortly after you touch her.
Your pet may smack you lightly to get you to stop. She’ll probably just give you a warning instead of even bringing out her claws.
However, if you continue to annoy her, she may softly bite or scratch you before looking for a secure location to finish her grooming ritual.
You may be curious as to why your cat bats at visitors, whether they are you or other family members.
Cats can bat at people to seek their attention or to play, just like they can swat at objects in their house or even other animals.
how come cats bat?
The majority of cats will happily sit next to you for the next hour or so if you take them up and cuddle or play with them for just five to ten minutes.
Naturally, cats will also bat at humans if they start to feel uneasy for whatever reason.
In other words, they do it to signal to others that what they are doing is bothering them and that they need to quit.
A cat grooming itself is the best illustration of this. Cats spend their time grooming their bodies and are exceptionally clean animals, as you undoubtedly already know.
However, the majority of cats typically become rather irritated when other animals or humans intrude on their space.
You shouldn’t interfere when your cat is grooming herself. She will have to start again from scratch if not.
If your cat is in the middle of her grooming ritual, you might find it insulting that she seems to want to groom herself shortly after you touch her.
Your pet may smack you lightly to get you to stop. She’ll probably just give you a warning instead of even bringing out her claws.
However, if you continue to annoy her, she may softly bite or scratch you before looking for a secure location to finish her grooming ritual.
