Why Does My Cat Bunny Kick Me?

What is a cat bunny kick?
Cats are masters of body bending and twisting, whether leaping from lofty platforms or tucking themselves into tight niches. They have a peculiar habit of kicking their back legs towards you, a toy, or another cat. Your animal friend will choose a target e.g, your arm and wrap its front two legs around it before kicking it with its rear legs, resembling a miniature thumper. Cats typically do this bunny-kick manoeuvre while playing aggressively or attacking their prey. This bizarre behaviour is known as the cat bunny kick. 

Why Do Cats Bunny Kick?

The cat bunny kick may be utilised as a hunting strategy as well as a strategic self-defence action. When a cat is on its back and showing all four paws and claws, its opponent has little chance against them in play or in true battle.

Applying a pleasant scent to every cat in the house could also be beneficial. The same smell also decreases their propensity for hostility or violence. Before caressing the necks of each cat, you might want to rub your hands together with some chicken broth or water from a tuna can. They also have to rely on their companion cats to groom each other and reapply the neighbourhood’s well-known safe fragrance because they can’t go to the region to groom it off.

Why My Cat Kicks Me With His Back Legs?

Self-defence and wilderness hunting both require the cat bunny kick. These two directly affect the chance of survival. So why does my cat keep kicking me in the thighs? This might also mean one of two things. Depending on the scenario, your cat is either playful or hostile. Here are the reasons:

1. Playful Mood before Attacking

Cats play with their prey by bunnying them, before attacking. This explains why cats regularly step on their toys with their hind legs. When cats play with toys and play with prey, their actions are extremely similar.

If your cat kicks you with his back legs, he could be attempting to play with you. He would surround your arm with his front legs and “play” by hammering his back legs. Your cat is not trying to purposefully hurt you, even if it could hurt. However, cats only play aggressively.

2. Violence 

Furthermore, it’s likely that your cat is kicking you because it feels threatened. Something might happen if you try to touch them in a place they don’t like. They kick their legs back, trying to throw you off of them and away from them.

3. Protecting Oneself from Predator

Cats are extremely vulnerable creatures who prioritise attacking for self-defence. The only primary defence that cats have against predators is their claws. This explains why most cats, when scared, opt to hide rather than become aggressive immediately away. Evolution has taught cats that avoiding conflict boosts their chances of survival.

4. Grabbing Prey

Cats are capable of jumping nine times their height and landing upright. They can also squeeze themselves into small spaces to look for suitable prey. Cats always start their hunt by stalking their prey and then they will leap forward and charge at their prey while maintaining their focus on the kill. They will hit their prey with one or both of their paws to harm it. Normally, cats will keep their prey alive at this point.

Also Read: Why is My Cat Attacking Me All of a Sudden?

How Can I Predict the Bunny Kick of a Cat?

Pet owners may tell whether their cats are being calm or hostile by understanding how cats act. If your cat’s eyes are open wide and their pupils are dilated, they are ready to battle.

The more time you spend with your cat, the more preferences you’ll discover about them. Some cats “don’t tolerate having their abdomens stroked at all, and they will quickly feel upset if you try to rub them there. Your cat will let you know if they are displeased without holding back.

Is It Possible to Reduce the Use of Bunny Kick?

First of all, keep in mind that even when your cat does the bunny kick during play, even if they don’t aim to injure you, you still run the danger of getting bit or scratched.

To lessen the chance of bunny kicks, stay away from roughhousing with your cat. Since roughhousing encourages aggressive behaviour, such as using your hand or arm as a chew toy, it is not recommended. Another method to prevent cat aggression is to give your cat a plush toy that it may stalk and attack (with or without catnip). 

Until you get scratched, cat bunny kicks might be fun while you’re hanging out with your feline friend. Engage in constructive play, as with food puzzles or cardboard boxes, to reduce cat shenanigans.

Why is it Not a Good Idea to Bunny kick?

If your cat isn’t hissing or snarling, and her ears aren’t glued to her head, she’s probably just being playful. However, behaviourists strongly suggest stopping the impulse to kick the bunny as soon as it appears. When a predator attacks, it is used both offensively and defensively. It could cause others to act more violently against you or other family members at home.

Here are some suggestions for modifying your cat’s behaviour following a bunny-kicking incident:

• Use toys instead of your hand to play with your cat. Wand toys are highly effective since you can move them away from your cat’s teeth and claws.
• Purchase her a few kick toys so she may satisfy her natural urges without harming you or your family.
• When she bites, firmly say “no” and end the game. She will understand what is going on since her littermates used to chastise her when she bit them too hard.
• If she does manage to grab your arm or leg, gently nudge her away. Because the prey will try to flee in the wild if pushed, she can loosen her grasp on it by doing so.

How Do I Respond If a Cat Bunny kicks Me?

It’s crucial to determine the cause of cats’ hind leg pounding and find a solution. If stroking their stomach is causing them to do a bunny kick, stop it. Even if you’re being kind and only rubbing your cat’s stomach, they won’t see it that way. You must respect the boundaries set by your cat. If they don’t like belly massages, show them affection and attention in other ways.

Here are some ways to show your cat how much you care:

• Stroking and petting your cat in their preferred areas.
• Cats steadily blink in their loved ones’ direction to show their adoration.
• Fun times with your cat and its favourite toys.
• Showing your concern by stroking and grooming your cat.

What happens, though, if your cat kicks more out of play than out of aggression or self-defence? Since you can’t stop engaging with your cat, it is more difficult to quit bunny kicking when playing with your cat. However, it is possible to counteract this inclination!

The following guidance could be useful for avoiding and discouraging bunny kicking.

Never Move your Fingers Towards your Cat

Never move your fingers toward your cat. You can keep your distance from your cat’s strong rear legs and cut claws with toys like feather wands. Your cat will also be more inclined to leap and pounce rather than kick as a result of this.

Sale on Cat Kicker toys

Since bunny kicking is a common and instinctive behaviour, we can’t expect our cats to quit doing it. You can stop your cat from using this behaviour against you or another household member by getting cat-kicker toys. They won’t act violently or maliciously towards you as a result of this.

Don’t put up with Bites

Before kicking anything, a cat bunny kick will often bite it. While it’s OK for cats to bite toys, you should teach them early on that biting people is not acceptable. If your cat bites you while you’re playing, firmly say “No” and take a break from it for a time. 

Please note that we do not want to remove bunny kicking entirely. This is an innate need that has been transmitted over years of growth. We want to make sure that our cats concentrate their activity on toys in a safe manner, rather than endangering people and other animals.

The Bottom Line on Cat Bunny Kick

The only attractive aspect of a cat bunny kick is its name. Cats use this style of stomping action for both hunting and self-defence. Another way to say it is that it is a severe and strong move.

As a result, you shouldn’t let your cat pound its hind legs against you, your family, or other animals. Instead, direct this innate propensity toward toys. Keeping in mind that cats are animals, we must allow them to continue with their typical behaviours in a safe and non-aggressive manner.