Buzz
After years of watching your cat push things off counters, bat at fellow felines, and swipe at anything within reach, you might think you've figured it out: They're just mischievous little troublemakers, no matter how much you adore them.
While we might not completely dismiss that idea, there are other explanations for why cats seem so slap-happy. As AnimalPath.org details, cats’ paws contain nerve receptors that help them process sensory input. When they strike something, these receptors are working to determine what it is. If you're wondering if a slower, gentler movement might help avoid the swat, consider this: Would you rest your hand on something unfamiliar that might respond aggressively?
Cats also enjoy playing with their food, which makes it natural for them to bat at potential prey. As veterinarian Dr. H. Ellen Whiteley explained on HowStuffWorks, "Your cat's instincts tell her that a paperweight or trinket might actually be a mouse. Her probing paw would make it dart away, giving her a fun game (and maybe even a snack)."
When it comes to games, cats swatting at other cats (or you) is simply their version of fun. It can also serve as a way for a cat to establish dominance. As long as there's no hissing, clawing, or overt aggression, there's really no cause for concern.
Though your cat may not be quite the troublemaker you once thought, it might still be a major attention-grabber. Cats who have a habit of knocking things off surfaces could be exploiting your reflex to rush over whenever it happens. Swatting directly at you probably gets your undivided attention too—a trick your clever pet has certainly picked up on.
