Why do cats kick with their hind legs?

Cats are very adept at controlling their bodies, jumping from high surfaces or curling up in tiny spaces. But they also have one unusual movement – when they kick the owner, a toy or another cat with their hind legs. Why do cats kick with their hind legs? It is absolutely certain that not only out of a desire to demonstrate their martial arts skills.

What are these kicks

This movement is often seen during games. A furry friend grabs the intended target, say the owner’s hand, with two front paws and, like a small hammer, begins to hit the target with his hind paws. Usually cats use such kicks when they are playing aggressively or attacking their prey.

Why do cats kick with their hind legs when they play?

While such kicks may look very cute, this behavior is potentially dangerous.

Like a pet, like a wild cat, kicking with its hind legs is both a tactical self-defense technique and a hunting maneuver. When a cat lies on its back with all four paws outstretched with its claws out, whether in a game or in real combat, its opponent has no chance.

In the wild, felids use such kicks to catch and kill their prey. When a domestic cat catches a mouse or a bird, this behavior can also be noticed in it. However, she does not always kill her prey, especially if she is not hungry. In addition to kicking with their hind legs, cats can simply pat their prey.

Even if the owner is just fooling around with a furry friend, one must remember that kicking with the hind legs is an aggressive behavior. At the same time, cats are able to deceive their opponents, forcing them to believe in their humility, especially when they expose their stomach. 

The graceful beauty can look at the owner, as if to say: “Don’t you want to scratch my tummy?” – and often this is really what she wants. But if the cat is belligerent, then she will grab her hand as soon as her fluffy fur is touched.

How to understand that a cat is planning to kick with its hind legs

Understanding a pet’s behavior will help any owner to distinguish between a relaxed mood and an aggressive one. Therefore, know that if the cat’s ears are pressed to the head or the pupils are dilated, it is ready for combat.

The more time a cat owner spends with his cat, the sooner he will understand what she likes and what not. “Some cats don’t like being touched at all,” writes Cat Health, “and they might get mad if you try to pet them there.” 

Suddenly, a peaceful scratching of the tummy can turn into an attack – the cat will immediately make it clear that she is unhappy.

Is it possible to reduce the frequency of kicks with the hind legs

If a cat kicks with its hind legs while playing, it is not going to cause harm at all, but even “in peacetime” it may scratch and/or bite.

It is also important to remember that the pet kicks with its hind legs instinctively. International Cat Care notes that, until now, “only the best hunters have been able to survive and reproduce, which means that our domestic cats today are descended from the most skilled hunters.” 

The hunting instinct of a cat is very strong, and since kicking with the hind legs is one of the manifestations of such an ingrained behavior, it cannot be stopped. The good news is that it can be redirected.

If the cat hits with its hind legs, you need to reduce the aggressiveness while playing with it. Rough moves should be avoided, such as using the hand or fingers as a toy to attack. 

Another way to avoid aggressive behavior is to give your cat a soft toy with or without catnip that she can chase and attack. 

While playing with the fluffy beauty, kicking with her hind legs can seem like fun until it comes to bloody scratches. So it’s best to encourage positive play with food puzzles or cardboard boxes to keep cat mischief to a minimum.