Cats are lovable and friendly on their own terms. While we can easily predict a dog’s behavior, doing so with cats is impossible. At times, cats can showcase inexplicable and crazy behavior that is completely unpredictable. But, most feline lovers are amused by this mystery and unpredictability. So, if you are one such animal lover, you might have come across similar behavioral traits while spending time with your pet. One such behavioral trait is attacking someone’s feet. Although your cat would mostly do this to the ones they are familiar with, it could also be something they would do to your visitors or guests.
So, why does this happen? Why does your cat attack your guest’s feet? Let us learn about the reasons that promote your cat’s foot-biting issues!
Top Reasons Your Feline Has Been Attacking Your Guest’s Feet
There are multiple reasons for your cat to attack your guest’s feet. The first thing you need to do is note whether the bite is gentle or aggressive. Is it accompanied by scratching or grabbing? If the bite is gentle, it is simply a playful approach by the cat. So, let us learn why your cat attacks the guest’s feet.
1. Playful Banter:
The prime reason your cat has been attacking your guest’s feet is to play with them. Cats love to nibble on the tootsies, and the feet are an easily accessible part of your body. They are so close to the cat that they simply cannot resist biting, lunging, or grabbing them. The cat would especially attack when the guest or even you are moving around. Cats tend to have a primal instinct to attack any moving object.
The thing that makes it more fun for cats is the fact that they are able to get a reaction from you, which could be anything from jerking away, jumping out of fear, shrieking, making noise, yelling, laughing, or even screaming.
These types of playful banters aren’t accompanied by a hard bite and won’t penetrate the skin.
2. For Hunting:
Another reason your cat attacks your guest’s feet is when they enter hunting mode. We are aware of the fact that cats are amazing hunters. Even after millennia of domestication, their primal instinct is just as powerful.
If your cat has entered the hunting mode, it will start by stalking your guest’s feet before attacking. Remember that this type of bite can be painful and might lead to blood being drawn. However, this type of attaching isn’t anything personal. Rather, it’s just your cat’s primal instinct that takes over.
For him, your foot is the prey, and this is especially true if you are wearing fuzzy socks or slippers. This can make your guest’s feet appear more like prey and less like your body part. This hunting behavior is seen more in younger cats & indoor cats that aren’t given enough chance to play or hunt like the wild ones.
3. Out Of Boredom:
Indoor cats seldom get to play and are often sitting around somewhere inside the house or sleeping most of the time. If they find a suitable opportunity to play with you or your guest, keep in mind that they will surely utilize it. A great way for your cat to play is to attack the feet and get rid of their boredom.
This is a great way for the cats to get rid of that pent-up energy. This behavior is your cat’s way of removing that playful energy. So, in this case, the bite tends to be gentle. However, if your cat is very frustrated, it will surely bite your guest’s feet harder than usual.
Try to give them some playful toys such as the Potaroma Flopping 10.5 inch Fish. This toy is a plush and interactive choice for cats who are bored staying indoors.
4. Seeking Attention:
Although a cat might not be as hungry for attention as your dog, they still do need your attention. This is especially true if your cat doesn’t have a partner to play with. Biting the guest’s foot might be a way for the cat to get attention. Moreover, it might be hungry and would have been looking for treats from you.
Regardless, this would be the worst moment for you to fulfill their demands. Doing what it wants would only increase this biting behavior. The key is to identify a potential biting scenario before it happens. Try to fulfill their needs before they start showing this aggressive behavior, especially when guests are around.
At times, your cat might even end up biting you if you are paying too much attention to it. The key is to avoid contact for some time and let your cat be by themselves.
5. Showing Affection:
Cats love to nibble or bite on your foot in order to show affection and love. If you are preparing your pet’s dinner & she bites on your or your guest’s foot gently, it is definitely a sign of showing appreciation and love.
This affectionate biting behavior from cats is actually a trait inherited from their ancestors. At times, mother cats tend to gently bite the kittens during the grooming process. Even the siblings would bite each other as a way of bonding. It is a way to teach the kittens the right ways to become an adult.
6. Medical Issues:
Another reason your cat has been biting your or your guest’s feet is that they are dealing with certain medical issues. In such situations, your cat might become more aggressive than its usual self. Since the feet are the closest thing to a cat lying on the ground, they might feel like lashing out.
Now that you know the reasons your cat is biting your guest’s feet let us learn about the right ways to deal with this behavior.
Solutions |
Reasons |
| Ignore It | Kittens often bite too rough, and they eventually learn that biting this hard isn’t fun. So, the right way to go about it is to ignore it and let them be. |
| Redirect | If you see your cat biting, the best way to go about it is to redirect it to a favorite toy. |
| Discourage | If your cat still continues attacking you or your guests, the key is to discourage it with a firm no. While it might not listen to you for the first time, consistency is the key. |
| More Playtime | A great way to discourage this biting behavior is to indulge in longer and more frequent playtime with your pet. |
Conclusion
Cats are a zany, wonderful, & loving member of our family. So, it is important to notice any changes in their behavior and instill positive reinforcement techniques. If things look too different from their original behavior, it is important that you visit your veterinarian at the earliest for better understanding. The right balance of love, attention, & discipline is the key to taming your cat’s biting behavior the right way.
