If your cat has been biting your ankles, you might be wondering why and what you can do about it. This post will show you a number of possible causes and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat bite my ankles? Possible reasons why your cat bites your ankles are that it is playing, it wants you to stop touching it, it sees your ankles as prey or it is intimidated.
There are a number of possible reasons why your cat has been biting your ankles and it might be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are a number of things you can consider when figuring out the main reason and there are a number of things you can do about it.
Why does my cat bite my ankles?
Below are a number of possible causes and what would make each of them more likely to be the main reason.
Intimidation
The reason why it does it might be that it feels intimidated. This would be more likely if it does it when you are touching your cat with your ankles, your cat seems to pull away from you and if it also scratches, or hisses. In this case, it might be the case that you are not being gentle enough or you are approaching it too boldly.
Related: Why does my cat bite my hand?
It’s playing
The reason why your cat does it might also be that it is playing. This would be more likely if your cat does it when you are walking or when you are moving your ankles while sat down.
Related: Why does my cat bite my neck?
It wants you to stop touching it
If your cat does it when you are touching it, with your ankles, the cause might be that it wants you to stop touching it with your ankles. This would be more likely if it also tries to move away from you.
It sees your ankles as prey
Your ankles move about like a mouse might. The reason why your cat grabs your ankles might be that it sees your ankles as prey. This would also be more likely if it does it when you are moving your ankles around.
Affection
Sometimes, cats will also bite when they are being affectionate. The reason why your cat has been biting your hand might actually be that it is showing you affection. This would be more likely to be the reason if it does it when it is showing positive body language such as by purring.
Things to consider about your cat biting your ankles
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
If it has always bit your ankles
If your cat did not always bite your ankles, it would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it might have something to do with a change in the way you have been touching your cat with your ankles.
What is different when it does not bite your ankles
If your cat does not always bite your ankles, it would also help to consider what is different when it does not bite your ankles. For example, if it only does it when you are moving your ankles, the cause would be more likely to be that it is playing and sees your ankles as prey.
What to do about your cat biting your ankles
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Get your cat to sit somewhere else
If your cat bites your ankles when you are sat down, one option would be to get your cat to sit somewhere else. One way to do so would be to put a cat bed somewhere for it to lay down in.
Wear shoes
If your cat has been biting your ankles at a specific time, another option would be to simply wear shoes at that time.
Give it distractions
Another option would be to give your cat toys that it can be distracted by so that it is less likely to attack your ankles.
Why does my cat bite my ankles?
Your cat might bite your ankles for any of the reasons mentioned above. It would help to consider the timing of when your cat does it.
Why does my cat bite my ankles when I walk by?
If your cat only bites your ankles when you are walking by, the cause would be likely to be that it sees your ankles as prey.
Why does my cat bite my ankles in the morning?
If your cat only bites your ankles in the morning, it would be more likely that your cat is doing it because it is trying to remind you to feed it. This would be more likely if your cat stops doing it after you have fed it.
Why does my cat bite my ankles for no reason?
If your cat seems to be doing it for no apparent reason, it could be due to any of the reasons mentioned above. However, it would be more likely that it is showing affection which would be more likely if it also shows positive body language when it does it.