Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: Fiona! on May 10, 2013, 10:35:36 AM

Title: Kittens playing Hide and Seek?? LOL
Post by: Fiona! on May 10, 2013, 10:35:36 AM
It's really funny, but my kitten Oscar has come up with a new game. I don't know if this is totally common to kitten behaviour, but this is what he does:

I will be doing something around the house, cleaning or tidying, and I will suddenly see Oscar spying at me over the edge of a table, or under a chair. When he sees I have noticed him, he arches his back, then runs towards me, but it's always in a playful, chaseful way.

Sometimes, to join in, I will slowly run away from him, and Oscar will go crazy running after me and trying to catch up with me lol.

It's always funny, this game of "Hide and Seek" and I love it, but I just wondered - should I discourage him playing with ME, rather than using toys? I don't want him to see me or any part of my body as a play thing lol.
Also, when he arches his back, I always thought that was an angry thing - is he being playful or am I actually annoying him without realising? LOL.

Just wondered what you thought...
Title: Re: Kittens playing Hide and Seek?? LOL
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on May 10, 2013, 11:29:20 AM
He is just being a kitten and dont think this is bad.

Its allowing him to play with your hands which is to be discouraged but this kind of playing sounds fine  ;D

When he gets a brother or sister I am sure he will forget about you LOL
Title: Re: Kittens playing Hide and Seek?? LOL
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on May 10, 2013, 21:27:03 PM
Yep, sounds pretty normal to me - my six year old cat still does it, he looks gutted when I spot him peeking at me from behind curtains or something  :evillaugh:

The arch back thing is him trying to make himself look bigger, same when they do the sideways running thing. I agree with Gill that the only thing you'd want to discourage is him 'playing' ie biting/chewing/scratching your hands, most kittens will go through a phase of this but it's easy enough to discouarge. Best way is to not squeal as he will think it's all part of the game, I used to blow sharply in their face which shocks them into stopping without being frightening or mean.
Title: Re: Kittens playing Hide and Seek?? LOL
Post by: emmmy_lou on May 10, 2013, 23:37:18 PM
My two still do this - coming up 3 now, but mostly if I leave my shoelaces or dressing cord undone!  :rofl:

Good that you don't use your hands as toys tho, was forever telling my OH off about that!
Title: Re: Kittens playing Hide and Seek?? LOL
Post by: emmmy_lou on May 10, 2013, 23:42:28 PM
ps Helen, I used the blow in the face thing for whenever mine went behind the tv or on the kitchen bench and it worked a treat!

I don't know what they get up to when we're out, but they know now when they are somewhere they aren't meant to be!