Answer: The so-called ‘playing’ with prey animals appears to be due to the cat’s anxiety as to how the prey will respond. It is pattern of behavior that is shown by kittens, by all cats deprived of live prey for some time and by cats playing with various substitute objects. The normal hunting movements of carrying and tossing are performed in an exaggerated fashion and in random order, with out any attempt at a killing bite. The cat may appear to play ‘catch’ with a mouse moves, by rapidly approaching it, grasping it with both paws and finally picking it up in the jaws. The mouse is then genially put down and the presses repeated. Similarly, the cat may draw a mouse near with its paws and, after lifting it in the jaws, toss it upwards or to one side, and continue to repeat to this behavior with a substitute object such as toy mouse, and lamp of the earth.
Often, between period of this active ‘play’ the cat shown more restrained behavior in which gently taps the prey, afterwards recoiling in fight, especially if the prey moves. The cat may even lie on its side for a while, keeping the prey in view, and like the inside of its forelegs.
This apparently cruel behavior by the cat seems to be attributable to its worry about having to hunt and the kill the prey, and is a means whereby it can discharge its pent up nervous energy.
