when cats are playing why do they push on the object with their back paws while they are holding it?

Answer 1

This type of play is practicing for how a cat would defend itself or kill prey. Although it's kind of difficult to tell from just looking at a cat, their rear legs are much more developed than their front legs, and when they catch prey or defend themselves, it's actually the back paws and not the front that are used. The same is true for why your cat might pick up an object in their mouth and shake their head.

Answer 2

Cat play (leaping for a string, or doing what you describe) is actually practice for the real thing. To protect itself in a fight, a cat would kick with it's hind paws.

Answer 3

They are practicing/pretending to gut the underbelly of an animal to kill. In real attack mode, a housecat can gut a rabbit or even a dog in about 10 seconds. Gruesome.

Answer 4

he's practicing for the real thing, after a cat catches his prey or opponent in a fight they will use their back claws while holding the object with their front claws

Answer 5

They are practicing snapping the neck of their prey, like killing a baby bird before lunch.

Answer 6

My cat does this, too. I don't really know why he does it, i think they think that it's an object that they want to kill, such as they want to kill it, but they don't want it to run away, but i don't know why the heck they do that for sure!

Answer 7

It is a way of attacking. Think that the toy is an animals stomache.

Answer 8

i really love it when cats do that!i think that is just a fighting move

Answer 9

Good question and the responces are great! I always wondered the same thing

Answer 10

When you cat is doing that, he is actually fighting....that's not "play" mode