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Cats are very adept at contorting their bodies, whether leaping from high surfaces or curling up into tiny spaces. One unusual move you may have noticed is the cat bunny kick, when they kick their hind legs at you, a toy or another cat. Why do cats bunny kick? For more reasons than showing off their martial arts skills, that's for sure.

What Is a Cat Bunny Kick?

You'll know a bunny kick when you see it, usually during playtime. Your furry friend will wrap their front two legs around the intended target (say, for instance, your arm) and, like a little thumper, will kick at the target with their hind legs. Cats typically perform this bunny-kick move when engaging in aggressive play or when they're attacking their prey (i.e., your arm).

Why Do Cats Bunny Kick?

Although a bunny kick sounds cute, it's a stealthy and potentially dangerous behavior.

Whether performed by a domestic cat roaming the rooms of a house or a big cat prowling the jungle, the cat bunny kick is both a tactical self-defense move and a hunting maneuver. When a cat is lying on their back with all four paws and claws on display — either in play or real-life battle — their opponent doesn't stand a chance.

In the wild, cats use the bunny kick to capture their prey just before killing it. If you've ever seen a house cat catch a mouse or bird, you may notice this same behavior, but the cat doesn't always kill the creature, particularly if they're not hungry. In addition to bunny-kicking, cats may just toss the prey around in their paws for a bit.

Even if you and your feline friend are goofing off, the use of the bunny kick is an aggressive move. And cats are good at tricking their opponents into thinking they're docile, particularly when exposing their belly. Your kitty may look at you as if to say, "Don't you want to rub my soft belly?" and many times, they really do want a belly rub. But if they're feeling feisty, they'll clutch your hand the second you touch their fluffy fur.

Can I Anticipate a Cat's Bunny Kick?

As a pet parent, understanding cat behavior is one way to tell the difference between relaxing or attacking. If their ears are flattened against their head or their pupils are dilated, your cat is ready to rumble.

The more time you spend with your kitty, the sooner you'll discover their likes and dislikes. "Some cats don't like their abdomens touched at all," advises Cat Health, "and they will quickly become angry if you attempt to stroke them there." Suddenly, a belly rub turns into an ambush. Your cat won't hesitate to let you know when they're unhappy.

Can I Reduce the Use of the Bunny Kick?

First, keep in mind that when your cat uses the bunny kick during playtime, they don't intend to harm you, but even in times of peace, you can be scratched and/or bitten.

Second, the use of a bunny kick is instinctual for your cat. International Cat Care points out that up to this point in time, "only the best hunters were able to survive and reproduce, meaning that our pet cats today are descended from the most adept hunters." A cat's hunting instinct runs deep, and because the bunny kick is part of that ingrained behavior, you cannot stop it. But the good news is that you can redirect it.

One way to keep bunny kicks to a minimum is to refrain from participating in aggressive play with your cat. Roughhousing, such as using your hand and/or arm as a chew toy, is not a good idea because it encourages hostile behavior. Another way to discourage cat aggression is to provide your kitty with a stuffed animal (with or without catnip) that they can stalk and attack. (Your arm will thank you.)

When hanging out with your feline friend, cat bunny kicks can be all fun and games until you get scratched. Engage in positive playtime, such as with food puzzles or cardboard boxes, to keep the cat shenanigans to a minimum.