Cats are super fast with their little punches. My dog dogs are relatively large and the cat will still hit them if they get too close. Luckily they usually ignore it, though every once in a while they go for the death bite so it knows who is the boss.
it's funny though..it doesn't seem as though the cat is seriously trying to hurt the dog, because he keeps his claws retracted. it seems he is saying..you are so spoiled, how dare you come eat this food, get the @$#& out of here, now!