Is it healthy for a cat to sprint down the stairs and pounce at a chair?

Question

I just got my cat of 2 years about 5 days ago and I have tried to play with her with string and mice and other things and she doesnt seem to be interested. When she sprints up and down the stairs it seems like her way of hunting but it scares me everytime and I was wondering if there is something she is going through that is causing this or if this is healthy or if there is something I could offer her to make things easier.

Answer 1

Cats do this all the time, mine has a wicker chair that he's allowed to get his claws into. Get some capnip toys for it and give a few days it will settle fine. It will still run around mad and have a "mad hour" every dya when it acts completely nuts, but it's cool that's just cats.

Answer 2

I have been around cats all of my life, and I have seen cats do crazy stunts like this many times. It is perfectly normal. All cats have different personalities, and while a mouse and catnip will interest one cat, another could be bored with the same toy. Cats will only play, accept affection, ect, when it appeals to them.
Sounds like kitty is enjoying a little playtime, on his terms, and is healthy and normal.
One thing that drives most cats crazy-get a laser pointer and project the dot on the walls and floor. He will have a blast chasing and "hunting" it! Best of all, it requires little effort on your part! Just sit in the easy chair and point.

Answer 3

when i first got my cat she didn't like to play with me or the toy mice. when she finally started to settle in she started playing with the mice first. then when i noticed her playing i would join her. i think it helped to let her take the first step. she also doesn't like it when i pet her unless it's her idea. lol. then watch out for the cuddle-puss!!
i also got another kitten who actually showed my first one how to play. i don't think she ever had the oppertunity to play naturally in the shelter. now both my kittens are very playful and affectionate.

let your cat settle in as it's only been five days.keep trying different toys. my shy kitten goes crazy over laser lights and string. be careful with string. never leave it lying around when your not paying attention. it takes time for a cat to settle in to a new home. it also helps to know where she came from. she might have been abused and could be very shy of people.
just be patient and keep trying to interact with her. when you see her playing try to join. start slowly like just standing by the chair she jumps in with your string. when she jumps in the chair wag the string where she can see it. also remember she's two and not a kitten and may play differently than a kitten would. i have a two year old male cat i'm fostering and he's only just starting to play with toys and it's been three weeks. but he will only play with toys that have catnip in them. for the first time today her tried playing with my other kittens. so sometimes it takes a while.

it's a good sign she's running around and jumping on chairs. it sounds like she's starting to settle in.
good luck and sorry this was so long.

Answer 4

It's only been five days and I say give the cat a chance to explore. Maybe she has never had stairs before. I had a cat that didn't have stairs until I got them and that was her favorite activity. Just let your cat do it's own thing for now.

It's healthy for her and she must be so excited. Just let her be.

You can't offer anything more than you are doing, be glad she is happy and let her just be and give her weeks to adjust, please.

I know we owners are always impatient but as I have learned not to be with cats, thanks to this group.

Answer 5

She's just playing. One of my cats' favorite games is charging full-speed all over the house, attacking random objects along the way. It's just a cat thing. :) And great exercise for them too.
If you want her to play interactively with you, try getting a teaser toy (looks like a fishing rod with feathers or other dangly things on the end of a long cord) or a laser pointer (so she can chase the dot around). Congrats on your new kitty!

Answer 6

let her do what makes her happy and if pouncing the chair is it then let her, my one cat when she was alive use to run up the stairs then leap over the side of the banister after taking a poop I was always worried she'd break a leg with the leap since it was quite a drop to the floor below but she never did and she weighed 25lbs,

Answer 7

Ever on account that i replaced right into a newborn, i replaced into continuously the 1st to initiate guffawing. mom could continuously warn that sooner or later i could chuckle on the incorrect person....hasn't occurred. :) yet i've got in no way seen every person cave in an entire flight O' stairs! lol...nicely, different than that baker guy w/ all the cakes & pies on Sesame highway! That s*it continues to be humorous a number of those years later!

Answer 8

Yes it is at least your cat hunts your chairs. Mine hunts my legs at time. If she has been inside for a long time let her run around and play with her try getting a laser pointer and when she starts to hunt your chairs get it out and start to play with her.

Answer 9

For the love of God please have Your Cat put down at once. Don't You realize that is suffering from "Having Fun Syndrome"? Do You know that that could lead to a long and happy life? Just hit It over the head with a brick BEFORE It starts to get playful! It could be contagious.

Answer 10

Cats have this thing I call the 'mad 30 dash' when they act absolutely nutty at certain times of the day. It's just the way they blow off steam and perfectly normal.