There’s a simple reason cats love to ambush.

That’s what they do.

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All the hiding, the silent movements, the ability to let only their eyes appear over an edge of the landscape; this is how cats hunt.

This is how cats live.

While cats are more than capable of streaking after fleeing prey, their ambush moves are designed to get them close enough to catch that prey before it bolts. Cats are very fast, but only for a short time. The wolf technique, wearing down the prey with stamina, is not something which works for cats.

Despite what I hope is a serious lack of rodents running around in our homes, cats still gotta do what cats gotta do. So toys, other pets, and our feet can become their targets.

Their love of ambush is also why they love to hide. Giving them places to hide (RJ is currently enjoying the cardboard shipping box our new coffeemaker came in) can be an easy way to keep our cats happy. Play tunnels are another way to keep the good times rolling; sometimes, literally. These play tunnels are often able to be collapsed and put away, keeping them fresh to our cats. Leave a toy in storage long enough, and it becomes new.

If our cat’s ambushing becomes annoying, it’s probably a sign they aren’t getting enough play. A playmate or a wand toy session will help them expend enough energy to be satisfied.

We can direct them away from our feet by carrying toys with us when we approach dangerous areas, and using them to distract our attacking cat. This also teaches them their toys are a good substitute. Remember, dangling laces or jingly shoe decorations are just asking for it.

In the wild, cats would be either hunting, or looking for hunting opportunities, for most of their waking hours. Their meals tend to be small, and thus, frequent. Giving them approved ways to act out such compelling instincts creates a happy cat.

And happy people.

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There’s more ways to understand our cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See all of my posts on WHY CATS DO THAT.