“Why does my cat attack my legs?” When you choose a cat as a pet, you don’t need to be told that in addition to spending endless hours of laughter and the most tender demonstrations of affection, you will also spend some time healing numerous scratches and bites. It’s inevitable. No matter how calm and educated your cat is, it’s still a feline that uses its powerful claws and strong teeth to defend itself and communicate.
Some cats are more prone to scratching and biting than others, depending on how they spend their first months of life. Suppose your cat is very mild and only occasionally scratches or bites you. In that case, you shouldn’t worry right away, as it isn’t always a sign of aggression or indicates severe behavioral problems, many times, it’s simply that your cat is trying to tell you something.
Cats are usually at ground level, so it’s much more common when they attack the feet and legs of their owners because it is also much easier to hit a good bite to the legs and escape, unlike if they do it in one of your arms, they would be exposed to be caught more easily. While it is true that attacking the legs is more comfortable, the question that remains to be answered is, why do they attack at all? Let’s find out!
Why does my cat bite my legs? 5 common reasons
Without further ado, let’s answer that burning question. Here are the most common reasons:
1. Stress
Unfortunately, cats are very quickly stressed and frightened. Their sensory system is much more developed than humans and, therefore, much more sensitive, for example, to sounds and strong smells.
A cat can become stressed or frightened by such everyday things as a new piece of furniture, a move, a new family member (human or pet), or even the smell of your new perfume. Since cats can’t tell you that they don’t like or are bothered by something, they tend to get stressed, and in such a state, it is natural for them to be less tolerant and tend to attack even without being provoked.
When a cat is stressed or frightened, one manifestation could be to attack your legs when you pass by him. Perhaps he felt threatened and defended himself. In these cases, a bite can be a cry for help, stop to analyze the situation, and give a paw to your poor cat in distress.
2. Boredom
A bored cat is a synonym for danger because these little furry ones don’t usually take boredom when they are alone very well. They will always find something to entertain themselves with, sometimes for good, inventing new games, but sometimes for bad, developing habits that can harm them as much as you.
Usually, a bored cat will look for something to play with, climb on the table, and knock over a vase just for pleasure. However, in extreme cases where a cat feels neglected, it may move from boredom to frustration and start harmful habits such as excessive grooming that could irritate its skin or antisocial behaviors such as biting or scratching the legs of anyone who passes by.
In any case, you mustn’t resort to scolding your cat because if he is frustrated, scolding will only upset and confuse him more. Instead, spend more quality time with your feline and ensure he always has toys to help stimulate his mind or windows through which he can contemplate the outside world. I assure you that your cat will thank you forever, and your legs too.
3. To play
In addition to being sleepy, cats are often very playful, especially in their early years; everything they see may be their following favorite toy. No matter what breed your cat is, they most likely love to run, climb, chase their tail or catnip mouse and scratch their climbing tree, and the games become a thousand times more fun if you join in.
Your cat loves to spend time with you, even more so if he is having fun. That’s why it often happens that your cat bites you in the middle of the game, for example, on your legs. He does it as part of the game, maybe to tease you or simply because he is very excited and shows you that he is happy. It is like a child who shouts happily or laughs out loud
4. Instinct
Of course, cats are natural-born hunters. Domestic cats are descendants of the big cats of the African steppe, and it’s part of their nature to hunt, bite and scratch. Chances are your kitty has never had to hunt for food or fend off a rude predator, but the heritage is strong and will always be an expert hunter of a catnip toy and a leg or ankle.
Usually, domestic cats don’t have prey to relieve their hunting instinct, so you’ll see them trying to catch flies or moving objects, which is why they love to chase the laser. And even if they love you madly, you’re an ideal target too, especially if you’re walking around, because they can follow you and jump on your legs when you’re less expecting it.
5. Love demonstration
When cats are little, their mother grooms them by giving them licks and gentle bites, and it is just at this stage the kitty learns to associate nips with demonstrations of affection to those in its close circle.
If your cat gives you a lick and a small nibble, he is giving you a love nip, which could be understood as a kiss. Remember that the nip is gentle; if your cat were to bite you hard, no doubt the explanation would be different.
Are cat bites dangerous?
If a cat bites you as a game, there is usually no problem because the bite will not cause any wound that can become infected. However, suppose a cat bites you and causes a puncture in your skin. In that case, it is preferable that you clean the wound and go to the doctor to rule out bacterial infections or any contagions, especially if it is a feral cat or a cat whose medical history you do not know.
How to stop my cat from biting my legs?
If you hate when your cat bites your legs, the best thing you can do is to redirect its attention. Instead of scolding it, offer toys to play with and encourage positive behaviors by rewarding them with treats. And when your cat starts getting too excited or aggressive, distract him with a toy or take him away from the situation so he will calm down.
It would help if you also tried playing games that require more physical activity, like tug-of-war or chasing a laser pointer. This will help vent some of his excess energy and bond with you simultaneously. Finally, if your cat gets too agitated, put him in another room for a few minutes until he calms down before allowing him back into the room. Using these techniques, you can help your cat learn that biting is not the right way to express his enthusiasm.
- Ignore the action and keep walking.
- Don’t encourage the habit.
- Before it attacks you, distract the cat with a toy.
- Make soft sounds to attract the cat’s attention and prevent it from attacking you.
- Gently remove it from your lap and tell it firmly, no!
Remember, never punish your cat for biting; use positive reinforcement and reward him when he behaves appropriately. With patience and consistency, you will be able to teach him how to play without biting or scratching your legs. You’ll be glad that you took the time to train him properly!
Why does my cat attack my legs? The bottom line
There you have it, cat attacks on legs can be caused by boredom, frustration, instinct, or love demonstrations. However, if you pay your feline enough attention and provide him with toys and activities that keep him entertained and occupied, you will see how his behavior improves in no time!
Always train your cat positively, and never resort to scolding or physical punishment. Does your cat like to play with your legs? Do you know of any other reasons why cats bite people’s legs? Let us know in the comments! Happy tail-wagging!