Our cat Yuki has a lot of energy and a very strong prey drive so we play with her very often. We recently bought her a new wand toy that has a furry mouse attached to the end. The mouse squeaks and rattles when it is shaken so she goes nuts for and chases it like mad. We let her run after it up and down the house and then stop when she begins panting. However then she starts behaving weirdly.
Once we finish she goes and lays down to catch her breath and we lay the toy near her so she can grapple and bunny kick it if she wants to. And she'll swat at it but then she begins to growl and hiss at the toy! She even gives it warning bites! Why does she do this? Is it her taking her frustration out on it or does she think it's a real animal and is scared it will attack her?
9 months old cat hisses and growls at her toy
Re: 9 months old cat hisses and growls at her toy
She's gone in 'the zone' 
Basically she's saying 'back off, this is my toy!' She's in hunting mode. My 4mth kitten growls when he's running about! Nothing to worry about, just perfecting their hunting skills 
Basically she's saying 'back off, this is my toy!' She's in hunting mode. My 4mth kitten growls when he's running about! Nothing to worry about, just perfecting their hunting skills