If your cat has been biting your feet, 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 feet? Possible reasons why your cat bites your feet are that it is playing, it wants you to stop touching it, it sees your feet as prey or it is intimidated.
There are a number of things you can consider to help figure out the main cause. Once you have a good idea of the main cause, it should become easier to get your cat to stop doing it.
Why does my cat bite my feet?
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 feet and your cat seems to pull away from you and if it also scratches, or hisses. In this case, it could be the case that you are not being gentle enough or you are approaching it too boldly.
Related: Why does my cat grab my hand?
It’s playing
The reason why your cat does it could 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 feet while sat down.
It wants you to stop touching it
If your cat does it when you are touching it, with your feet, the cause could be that it wants you to stop touching it with your feet. This would be more likely if it also tries to move away from you.
Related: why is my cat obsessed with my feet?
It sees your feet as prey
Your feet move about like a mouse might. The reason why your cat grabs your feet could be that it sees your feet as prey. This would also be more likely if it does it when you are moving your feet around.
Things to consider about your cat biting your feet
Below are some things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your cat has been doing it.
If it has always bit your feet
If your cat did not always bite your feet, 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 feet.
What is different when it does not bite your feet
If your cat does not always bite your feet, it would also help to consider what is different when it does not bite your feet. For example, if it only does it when you are moving your feet, the cause would be more likely to be that it is playing and sees your feet as prey.
What to do about your cat biting your feet
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Get your cat to sit somewhere else
If your cat bites your feet 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 feet 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 feet.
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 toes?
Likely reasons why your cat bites your toes are that your cat sees them as prey because of the way they move around and look, your cat likes the taste of them or that your cat is playing. It would help to consider the body language your cat shows when it bites your toes.
Why does my cat bite my feet when I walk by?
If your cat only bites your feet when you are walking by, the cause would be likely to be that it sees your feet as prey. This would be especially likely if your cat also chases after you when it bites your feet.
It might also be the case that your cat does it because your cat gets intimidated which would be more likely if your cat hisses and only does it when you walk directly towards your cat or very close to it.
Why does my cat gently bite my feet?
Likely reasons why your cat gently bites your feet are that your cat is playing, your cat likes the taste of your feet or that your cat is grooming you. It would help to consider the body language your cat shows when biting them. If your cat does things such as grab your feet and mouth your feet, it would be more likely that your cat is playing. Whereas, if your cat does it when licking you, it would be more likely to be grooming you or doing it because it likes the taste of your feet.