If you share a home with a feline, you have probably already been surprised by an ankle attack. Many caregivers worry about this habit of their cats to observe in it a possible symptom of aggressiveness. Usually, however, a cat that bites the ankles of its keepers is simply bored and finds no other way to positively exercise its natural hunting instinct.
Do you wonder why cats bite ankles? So, we invite you to continue reading this article on our site to learn more about the possible causes of this "cat attack" and learn how to avoid it so that a game does not end in injury.
Factors that influence the cat to bite the ankles
Although they have been "domesticated", cats maintain innate hunting instincts, as do all felines. However, unlike their wild relatives, our kittens stopped exercising their hunting skills as noticeably, since they don't need to catch prey to feed.
On the one hand, this home life protects them from numerous diseases and environmental adversities, but when due attention is not paid to the environmental enrichment that a feline requires to remain he althy and balanced, different problems of the environment appear. behaviour. You may wonder why your cat attacks you for no reason, however, all the behaviors manifested in the feline have a cause and are carried out to achieve certain objectives: feeding, releasing stress, asking for attention, etc.
Why do cats jump at your legs and bite?
Most cats that bite their handlers' ankles show one of the 5 symptoms of cat boredom. Spending too much time alone and enriched environment, or not receiving proper attention from their caregivers, a kitty may find the perfect opportunity to exercise their natural hunting instinct at the ankles of their guardians. In addition, it is important to remember that a bored or sedentary cat becomes vulnerable to a series of diseases and behavioral problems.
We may not realize it, but when we play with our kittens, we give them the opportunity to exercise their innate instincts. For example: the classic game of the wand or fishing rod aims to imitate the movement of a bird to stimulate the hunting instinct of felines. If we stop playing with our kittens or do not provide toys and accessories to keep them active during our absence, it is very likely that they will find an escape valve for their boredom biting our ankles.
Other causes that cause the cat to bite the ankles
Although the bite on the ankles usually shows the boredom of a feline that does not have the necessary toys to positively exercise its instincts Without hurting their handlers, cats can bite for a variety of reasons. Depending on the circumstance, a kitty may bite as a sign of social interaction, by getting overexcited during a game, as a show of affection , for poor socialization, for fear or distrust, for feeling vulnerable, among others.
If a cat bites you gently when you give it food or play with it for a while, it is probably showing you its affection and gratitude. It is important not to reinforce this behavior and ignore it and teach him to express his affection in a safe and calm way, using positive reinforcement to recognize only his desirable attitudes. Remember that punishing, pushing away or scolding him are also ways to reinforce behaviors, because if the cat is looking for our attention, he is getting it.
To extinguish a behavior, it must be completely ignored, only in this way the cat, not getting any response, will stop carrying it out. On the other hand, if a feline is sick or feels vulnerablein some context, he may bite as a form of self-defense, to avoid possible damage to the welfare of the.
If you notice that your cat shows symptoms of weakness, hides for a long time or is isolated and uses the bite as a form of defense, it is very important to go to the vet quickly. Some illnesses can cause changes in your behavior, and pain makes you feel more vulnerable.
Because cats are owners of a unique character, there is no exact interpretation for each sound, gesture or expression that cats use to express their feelings, desires and moods. Your cat is a unique and singular being, for which there is no previously established definition of his personality. Therefore, to interpret the meaning of the bites and the various forms of expression of your pussycat, it is very important that you take your time to discover his character and pay attention to his body language.
However, if you perceive that your cat has become aggressive or presents negative changes in his behavior, it is important to consult a veterinarian specialized in feline ethology. Together with this professional, you will be able to find out the cause of these alterations and establish a treatment based on specific guidelines.
What can I do to prevent my cat from biting my ankles?
Although we can understand that the act of jumping towards our ankles is instinctive and natural in our kittens, the truth is that bites in this sensitive region can be annoying and very painful. For this reason, we have summarized some practical advice so that you can avoid these attacks by your cat and generate a he althier coexistence in your home.
- Environmental Enrichment: Surely, you have to go out to work and fulfill your responsibilities. This also means that you will have to leave your cat alone at home. To avoid behavioral problems and symptoms of stress or boredom such as attacking the ankles, it is essential to enrich his environment with toys, scratching posts, climbing shelves, hiding places and other accessories that allow him to stay physically and mentally stimulated during your absence. On our site, we also show you how to make 5 DIY toys or an excellent DIY scratching post for your cat. They're cheap and fun, don't miss out!
- Quality Moments: Although you offer many toys for your kitty to have fun alone, it is essential that you set aside time exclusively to play with him and share quality moments. Even if you come home tired, remember to spend a few minutes with your feline companion.
- Consider giving him a companion: If you notice that your cat is getting bored playing alone and episodes of boredom persist, you can consider giving him a " little brother" or "little sister". However, remember to pay attention to your cat's temperament and analyze how social he is. If you consider that the presence of another individual can improve the quality of life of your feline, remember to socialize it before abruptly imposing coexistence and correctly introduce the new cat to your cat.
- Preventive medicine: as we have mentioned, some pathologies can cause stress and modify the behavior of your cat. Therefore, to keep your feline he althy and balanced, it is essential to provide him with adequate preventive medicine throughout his life. Remember to make regular visits to the vet every 6 months, respect his vaccination card and regular deworming, in addition to offering him a balanced diet of excellent quality and keep him physically and mentally stimulated.
