Cat biting feet
It sounds weird for those who haven’t experienced it, but we have had a couple readers ask us “why does my cat bite my feet?” From playful bites to more harmful ones that draw blood, a cat biting feet may concern the owner. In order to find a solution, it’s important to understand the reason why do cats bite feet.
Why do cats bite feet? Why is my cat biting my feet?
The main reasons why cats bite feet are because they want to play, they are simulating hunting, they need something, or because they are scared.
Your feet are a moving target and your cat wants to play
This is one of the main reasons your cat will bite your feet, especially as you are walking. Cats are innately triggered to focus on moving objects, especially if they are moving away from them. Cats usually participate in this behavior when they are not getting enough play time opportunities.
These bites are usually playful and do not penetrate the skin. Your cat is simply just entertaining itself and your moving feet are the main attraction. In a similar fashion, your cat might also grab your leg when you walk.
Your cat is simulating hunting
As we are all aware, cats are natural born hunters. Even though they have been domesticated for thousands of years, they still hold this urge to hunt prey. These types of bites can penetrate the skin and draw blood. This type of behavior is more common in indoor cats that don’t have a stimulating environment where they can satisfy their urge to hunt.
Your cat needs something or is scared
Your cat may bite your feet because they want your attention because they need something like food or water. They may also want to get your attention if they are in any physical distress. Lastly, you cat may bite your feet if there is something that is scaring or intimidating them, like another animal. Your feet are the lowest thing to the ground and therefore the closest thing they can reach.
If you cat specifically likes your toes, you should check out my article on why does my cat bite my toes.
Why Does My Cat Attack My Feet?
The main reason your cat attacks your feet is because they are simulating hunting and aren’t getting enough simulation on their own. If a cat is bored and doesn’t get enough exercise or attention, they will build up aggression. This can cause them to attack your feet.
How to get a cat to stop biting your feet:
We have heard great things about the Interactive Dancing Electric Fish Cat Toy for cats. The toy is a perfect way to entertain your cat and allows it to bite and scratch at something that isn’t your feet. The cool thing about the toy is that once you turn it on, the cat can play with it all by itself. The electric fish toy can be purchased on amazon for $18.
Another way to stop your cat from biting your feet is to purchase a cat calming diffuser. This is perfect for cats that have tons of energy and always beg you to play. The diffuser plugs into the wall, and releases an anti-stress formula into the air. You can buy one here or click the photo below for more info.
If your cat also has a scratching problem, you will probably be interested in our article why do cat scratches hurt so much?
How to get a cat to stop biting
If you want your cat to stop biting your feet, the most important thing to do is provide a more stimulating environment for your cat. This means spending more time playing with them. If this is not an option because of your busy schedule and you are not home a lot, you should consider getting another cat so that he/she has a playmate.
Cat toys are another great option to get your cat to stop biting your feet. The best toys will be those that simulate hunting, such as a fishing pole toy or any other toy that resembles a moving prey. It is also a good idea to get toys that can be integrated while they are eating so that it simulates hunting and reward. One recommendation is an interactive feeder, which makes your cat be active in order to eat its food . Make sure you rotate your toys around so that your cat is always stimulated.
