If your cat grabs your legs a lot, 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 it.
So, why does my cat grab my legs? The most likely cause of your cat grabbing your legs is that it is playing and that the movement of your legs triggers its instincts.
There are some things you can consider when figuring out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Why does my cat grab my legs?
Below are a number of possible reasons why your cat grabs your legs.
Play
The reason why your cat does it could 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.
Instinct
Your legs can move about like a mouse might. The reason why your cat grabs your legs could be that it sees your legs as prey. This would also be more likely if it does it when you are moving your legs around.
Related: Why is my cat obsessed with my feet?
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 legs 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 bite my arm?
It wants you to stop touching it
If your cat does it when you are touching it, with your legs, the cause could be that it wants you to stop touching it with your legs. This would be more likely if it also tries to move away from you.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your cat has been doing it.
If your cat has always grabbed your legs
If your cat did not always bite your legs, 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 legs.
What is different when your cat does not grab your legs
If your cat does not always bite your feet, it would also help to consider what is different when it does not bite your legs. For example, if it only does it when you are moving your legs, the cause would be more likely to be that it is playing and sees your legs as prey.
What to do about your cat grabbing your legs
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Get it to sit elsewhere
If your cat attacks your legs 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.
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 legs.