Object Bat

The cat moves either of its forepaws horizontally towards a small object. The paw is likely to be laterally rotated at the carpus joint so the pads are turned towards the object. The forelimb may flexed and abduct before being extended and brought towards the object. Alternatively the forelimb may be rotated and extended towards the object with just the paw flexing. Contact with the object is usually made with the pads, but sometimes with the dorsal surface of the paw. Toes may be extended or flexed. Claws may be retracted or extended.

The paw movement may be slow, appearing cautious, or more vigorous, with contact frequently resulting in movement of the object. The cat may be stationary other than the movement of is paw, often in a sitting or crouching position, or object bat may be incorporated into a chase sequence, with the item being batted with one or alternate forepaws as the cat runs.

A study on play behaviour has reported that 35% per cent of kitten play bouts begin with object bat or object poke, and these behaviours may be shown repeatedly, with as many as 11 repetitions being shown in a play sequence. Any resulting movement of the object stimulates further behaviours such as object chase or object pounce (West, 1979 In: Bradshaw, Casey and Brown, 2012).

*Photographic images and video coming soon