Kitten makes the cutest 'attack' on a human you've ever seen (plus info about kitten play)

Cute kitten makes the cutest 'attack' on a human you've ever seen (plus into about kitten play). Screenshot.

Just playing. It's a 'play-attack' - the kind of behavior we see between kittens who spend a lot of time roughhousing. This time the target was slightly bigger than normal and it looks very cute.

As the experts say:

"Every living creature needs to play, and cats are no exception".

Play for cats is a release of pent-up energy. When kittens play with each other or perhaps with their mother they are preparing themselves for adult life in learning the movements required for attacking and defending. Interestingly, the video of this tiny and cute kitten shows a behaviour which is both attacking and defending.

When cats play roughly with each other they are well aware that they game of 'combat' is not in earnest and that they will not harm each other.

When you watch their behaviour, you will see that when the dominant cat is holding her mate, if the hold causes any pain, a growl or sharp meow will make the aggressive cat let go.

When kittens play with each other they gauge how far they can go in terms of aggression by the response of the "victim" to that aggression. And in this way, they learn about the limits to their play.

Kittens begin to play at about three weeks of age. This play starts off with the kittens gently pawing at each other. As their coordination improves, they begin biting, chasing and rolling.

Social play increases from 4 to 11 weeks of age and then rapidly declines. By this time, the kittens seem to pair off during play periods, which usually takes place four times a day. At nine weeks, kitten spent almost an hour each day playing.

The importance of play

We know that playing takes up a lot of your kitten's or kittens' time. They stalk each other, launch mock attacks, assume defensive positions, pounce and in general have lots of fun.

Playing encourages the development of coordination, provides a source of exercise and helps to socialise the kittens. And if they are kittens born in the wild without the protection of their human caregiver's home, play is a training ground to learn how to survive.

Limiting kitten and young cat play

One expert says that you should encourage kids to play and enjoy it but don't let them overdo it. They say that playtime sessions should be limited to 15 minutes each day, 2-3 times daily. They also remarkably state that "rough play, in which a kitten nips or scratches should also be discouraged."

Their argument is that "a kitten may begin to believe that aggressive, even violent behaviour is acceptable at home."

Hands are not toys

I seriously doubt that advice. Cats are inherently aggressive as they are top line predators! Kittens play with each other instinctively. And as long as they are playing with each other it's okay. I think the problem arises when a young cat plays with their owner's hands or feet. Then they equate the person's hands or feet to a toy (a prey animal actually) which they can bite and scratch to their hearts content which they can't.

RELATED: 10 facts about using hands as play toys for your cat.

This is about the caregiver limiting play and training their young cat to conduct this inherent behaviour in a way which is acceptable in the human environment.

It is entirely possible that a young cat can learn to attack their owner's hand during their early life and that this behaviour will remain with them for the rest of their life no matter how persistently and carefully their owner tries to discourage it. It can put a stress on the relationship.