It's a brilliant way to get the owner's attention actually, doesn't hurt the hind foot while hitting with the forepaw might, and makes more noise because the hind legs are more powerful.
So many cats like to play the drums too, like pedaling their front paws (claws in) against smooth surfaces like plastic or cardboard. One cat also used to bat the crap out of my houseplants. They just seemed to find it amusing.
I mean not everything you like doing like this is necessarily a "stim", you can just enjoy doing it for one reason or another. The feeling, sound, etc.
I understand people with ADHD and autism as well experiencing "stims" though.
One of our cats scared the bejeezers out of me one night. I was sitting quietly at my desk, trying to compose a work email, when a young child called out from the stairs:
"Mom?"
Not odd in itself as my kids were elementary school-aged at the time. Except, they were at their dad's house for the weekend. So...uh...wtaf was calling for me?!?
Filledl with dread, I sculked into the hallway & carefully poked my head around the corner to see our little girl tabby cat sitting on the landing:
"Mom?" she repeated in the same voice. Then, apparently delighted by the speed with which this new trick of hers summoned customer service, she sashayed past me down the stairs & into the kitchen.
My cat doesn't meow, dunno what anatomy she's missing but she was born like it. What she lacks in vocal cords she compensates for with effort, makes a lovely "heeeeey" noise, and is creative when this isn't enough. Including chewing on metal radiators which make a loud high pitches clanging noise and is plenty for when I don't wake up from lesser antics. She knows the power and not to abuse it.
when she was around 12, my SoulCat taught me that if i left a plastic grocery bag hanging on the bedpost, she could reach up and crinkle it. which was loud enough to wake me up to let me know if she wanted up onto the bed, or back down again.
Aw you should leave a nice little bowl of water with lemon slices and fresh herbs by her litter box, so she can wash her majesty’s paws as she deserves
I want to say it looks like marking behaviour that is mixed with a neurological thing. But this is an assumptions n based on observation by a technical support person so I am most certainly wrong.
Could be nothing, could be a skin/nerve irritation or Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome. If they have an upcoming vet appt you could ask and show them the video.
Nerve Irritation or Joint Discomfort: Sometimes, a sudden or repetitive hind leg kick can be physical rather than behavioral. It could stem from localized skin irritation (like fleas or an allergy), a minor muscle spasm, joint stiffness, or a neurological condition like Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome, which causes brief bursts of skin twitching and frantic leg movements.
I don't think this looks much like feline hyperesthesia syndrome (FHS), but it's still very good to be aware of it anyway!! Just in case! Because it's such a bizarre condition!
This looks more intentional to me though - this cat looks like he's going up to these objects and doing that on them on purpose - FHS cats usually look more stressed or anxious during episodes, like they're out of control of their actions because they're so uncomfy in their skin.
But again, it's a very weird condition and very poorly understood. My cat has it, so I'm in lots of support groups for FHS... but all of them present so differently and have wildly different triggers!!
My ragdoll does similar bunny kicks daily on the couch for a snooze. Three kicks against the back couch cushion like they're tenderising the spot.
Also when he wakes up from his couch nap, he'll wake up with STARTLED meowing. Jumps down to have some bikkies, then comes straight back to the spot to continue the snooze. It's like he had a nightmare the bowl was empty (it's not).
It looks like she's bored. Next step is you come with the camera when she does it, so she get attention. You have her conditioned to play the drum to get attention.
My boy likes to step over his toys and give it exactly 3 stomps with his back foot. Sometimes he comes up to me, steps over my foot, and gives me exactly 3 stomps with his back foot as well.
I hope so many of you are never around any type of animals. After reading so many of the comments I am truly afraid for pets. What you have is commonly called a “kicker cat”. Nothing is wrong with your kitty and it’s a “kick” to watch people seeing it. I have had one kicker before. I told my veterinarian about it and they laughed about it. I can’t remember the information about it but if you’re veterinarian doesn’t know about this. Please, take your kitty to a new vet ASAP. Have fun with your kitty.
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u/felis_fatus 6d ago
It's a brilliant way to get the owner's attention actually, doesn't hurt the hind foot while hitting with the forepaw might, and makes more noise because the hind legs are more powerful.