Pets

ShazzieB

(18,715 posts)

14. Also, cats love to play with small objects in general.

Fri Apr 28, 2023, 08:52 PM

Apr 2023

Almost anything that's the right size to bat around with their paws is a potential toy to a cat. Extra bonus points if it has movable parts and/or makes noise when manipulated.

I can definitely imagine a cat being extra excited by a recent "kill," but I also see this kind of behavior as an extension of the kinds of activities cats enjoy in general.

Cats are, after all, genetically programmed to be predators. The strength of the prey drive can vary a lot among individual cats, but I've never seen one that didn't have at least some tendency to treat small objects as potential "prey."

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

52 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Oliver Serves Himself Dinner (not for the squeamish) [View all] NJCher Apr 2023 OP

Do cats actually eat the mice they catch? Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #1

Sometimes they eat them. Ocelot II Apr 2023 #2

Yikes, you witnessed it personally. Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #3

Cats kill their prey quickly by biting the back of the neck Ocelot II Apr 2023 #5

Jeebus. Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #6

I think he was excited because he finally got to hunt and kill real prey - Ocelot II Apr 2023 #10

Also, cats love to play with small objects in general. ShazzieB Apr 2023 #14

I'd never seen him get that excited over inanimate toys. Ocelot II Apr 2023 #15

He did something that goes to the core of his DNA. Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #20

Yes that would explain his behavior. Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #18

I am not really in agreement with you on that. The Jungle 1 Apr 2023 #41

I have personally witnessed only the quick and lethal attack Ocelot II Apr 2023 #42

now you can sing this to her NJCher Apr 2023 #12

I used to have a mug with that cartoon on it! ShazzieB Apr 2023 #16

This is hilarious. Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #21

My Labrador Retriever Sophie Diamond_Dog Apr 2023 #13

Labs will eat anything. I once knew one who ate rocks Ocelot II Apr 2023 #17

Yep, they're notorious garbage eaters. Diamond_Dog Apr 2023 #19

Good heavens. Chipmunks? Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #23

No. Diamond_Dog Apr 2023 #25

Wow I don't feel so bad about my dog eating a tiny dead worm Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #27

Yes they will! Diamond_Dog Apr 2023 #28

I know, we pay all this money for healthy food and treats. Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #30

LOL Kali Apr 2023 #24

Do cats do this when they are hungry? Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #26

ours have dry food out all the time, but they do enjoy the hunt Kali Apr 2023 #31

Interesting that the cats have food in their bowls but still chase other animals. Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #33

Most kill are eaten or.... Duppers Apr 2023 #34

In any species bringing home the bacon is a good thing. Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #37

A guy I worked with had a cat who specialized in rabbits. Ocelot II Apr 2023 #43

Interesting that even when he kept throwing up the rabbits Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #45

Cats throw up a lot, sometimes as a result of eating too fast. Ocelot II Apr 2023 #46

Good God. Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #49

In the wild they probably go back and re-eat it. Ocelot II Apr 2023 #50

Oh yes of course. Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #52

Same here. Pumpkin Pie brought his prize to the back patio Polly Hennessey Apr 2023 #4

Good God. Maybe he was proud of his catch? Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #7

They truly are! Duppers Apr 2023 #35

If a species really enjoys the hunt, kill and dinner chances of survival are higher? Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #36

You may be on to something! Duppers Apr 2023 #38

Darwin's natural selection? Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #39

Oliver thinks you ate his dinner. Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #8

Ahh! NJCher Apr 2023 #11

Ocelot gave me a tutorial in feline hunting behavior. Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #22

this is cracking me up NJCher Apr 2023 #29

I am always trying to figure out cats. Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #32

Cats are definitely quirky. People who have only ever been around dogs Ocelot II Apr 2023 #44

Yes they are baffling compared to dogs. Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #47

I don't think dogs are boring, but they are fairly predictable in most cases. Ocelot II Apr 2023 #48

Dog behavior is more predictable and understandable. Irish_Dem Apr 2023 #51

Eek blm Apr 2023 #9

Yea animals communicate with us quite clearly. The Jungle 1 Apr 2023 #40