Cross Breeds

Why do cats make that funny sound when they are stalking a fly?

They never hardly catch them so I was wondering how this "chittering" business got started. It doesn't seem to work on the fly.

Public Comments

1. Experts disagree on this - some say it is the result of the cat's frustration at seeing prey that it can't get too, leading to the build up of tension in the muscles which leads to the 'chattering'. Others say that it is the cat's way of practising it's killer bite - cats use a special technique to bite the back of the neck when dispatching prey.
2. Why don't you ask the cats? I would guess that it's because they want to catch the fly but they know they cant, or it's a little too high, so they cant help but make the sound. It's like when we see something we like and we'd be like "Ooh I want this so bad but I know I cant afford it!"
3. It's not just stalking flies, but when they are watching any kind of prey. I think it's just their own little signal to themselves that they are thinking about what they are going to do when they catch whatever it is they're watching. My cat actually does catch flies. Then rolls about on them, and then eats them. Gross!
4. Hahah I don't know but I love it when they do that! So funny!