Please note that some posts contains affiliate links & I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links Find out More

OUCH! Why Do Cats Chase Feet? Here’s How to Stop It

by | Jul 11, 2023 | Cat Behavior & Care | 17 comments

OUCH! Why Do Cats Chase Feet?

Do your cats chase your feet? Fun and games for them mean DANGER for humans! Youngsters think EVERYTHING invites play-attack, but cats chase feet at any age. Karma-Kat has decided bare ankles merit a bite-attack each evening, while I try to relax and watch television. He does this at night in the dark, too, if I have to get up for any reason, yikes! It’s part of kitty play.

Seren-Kitty also enjoyed targeting toes, but since she only weighed 6 pounds, at most we endured a furry ankle decoration. With big cats like Karma (13+ pounds!), when cats chase feet, it can be a dangerous tripping hazard.
why cats chase feet

Why Cats Chase Feet?

Karma-Kitten does this. He even does it to Magical-Dawg. When Seren was young, she also targeted my feet and ankles. Do they really want to maim us, or worse: trip us on the stairway so we’ll break our necks? Do cats have mayhem in mind?

why cats chase feet

Do your cats chase feet? What in the kitty-world is going on? No, it’s not malicious or psychotic or vicious or any of those other labels we humans love to attach. Again, it’s normal, and has to do with several things either separately or in combination. Part of the behavior arises from hard-wired cat hunting instinctual behavior.

cat chases feet

As hunters, cats’ hunting behavior evolved to be prompted by different stimuli. That’s a survival mechanism that triggers pounce-and-attack to put food on the feline table. Several things trigger the urge to hunt–and the cats chase feet instinct.

why cats chase feet

Sound, such as the ultrasonic mouse squeaks can stimulate attack. Scent is also important especially to stimulate appetite, but cats don’t have to be hungry to hunt. They have to take advantage of every opportunity and not give that mousy morsel a pass, just because their tummy is full. So other senses are more important to trigger predatory behaviors. And let’s face it, chasing feet qualifies as prey to kitten-hunters.

Sight rules in terms of kitty attack triggers. Think about it: the motion of our feet walking is at kitty eye level (prey location!), and the continued movement self-rewards the cat’s interaction. Couch Potato Puss has no real prey, so makes do with surrogates. It’s just FUN for the cat to chase/tag/play with our feet and ankles. And the more you squeal and try to shake ’em off (like prey), the more the cat’s hunting engine revs.

But the behavior can go on for other reasons.

Again, cats are all about territory and location is important. The eye-level location of our ankles/feet as well as what they represent–the human they adore–makes ankles/feet prime kitty marking targets. It’s hard for the cat to reach other body parts with any regularity, but our tootsies are always within paw-and-cheek reach.

Cats mark important owned territory with cheek rubs, body rubs, tail winding, etc. When they wind around our feet and ankles, this leaves scent marks that you are important and owned by them–a huge feline compliment. A common time at our house for both Seren-Kitty and Karma-Kitten to indulge in this body-rub-fest is right after the humans get out of the shower. That makes scent sense because a shower or bath washes off all the important “family smell” that identifies you as safe and known. The cats need to refresh these marks to feel all warm-and-fuzzy-friendly.

why cats chase feet

IT’S YOUR FAULT CATS CHASE FEET!

Hey, the cats made me say that! They’re always MEOWING about something. But there’s truth to the statement. If you hate having the cat(s) constantly underfoot, take a step back (carefully, LOL!) to see what YOU do when this happens. It could be that you’re actually rewarding the behavior and reinforcing it, so the cats continue to target your feet. Also, bored cats need enrichment to maintain emotional health, so things like scent enrichment can help stem the mayhem of when cats chase feet.

Cats are very easily trained. It only takes one or two repetitions for them to connect-the-dots and say, “Hey, if I do THIS, then my human does THAT!” And if your cat happens to like THAT (a scream, you jumping around, picking them up, filling the food bowl, opening the door, giving ATTENTION) that can reward the cats chase feet behavior. Remember that even bad attention is sometimes better than being ignored. (I suspect parents of two-legged kids will agree with that, too.) As I said, cats are very easily trained, but they’re even better trainers of us humans. Ahem.

why cats chase feet

Your Turn: How do YOU Stop Cats Chasing Feet?

complete kitten care book

There’s lots more fun info and tips for your rambunctious kitties in COMPLETE KITTEN CARE (and you can “hear” me in the Audio version, too!)

WANT A BONUS? CLICK HERE!

YouTube Button

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book giveaways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified cat & dog behavior consultant, a consultant to the pet industry, and the award-winning author of 35+ pet-centric books and Thrillers with Bite! Oh, and she loves bling!

 

 

17 Comments

  1. Vicki L Taylor

    I recently adopted 6 month old “Pi” from the shelter and love her dearly. She id a very affectionate and outgoing Calico, but when it is time to eat she seems to think she is going to starve to death if she does not force me to the food bag by winding in and out of my feet. She has never attacked or bitten them at all fortunately, but I have nearly fallen a few times when she is winding around them. I will usually just hook a foot under her and slide her out from me on the tile or hardwood floor….not a lick and not any force, but seems to give her the idea that she needs to stay out from under if she wants to be fed. That is beginning to work, along with stopping in my tracks when it first starts. If my progress toward the food stops, she seems to realize that her behavior is not accomplishing her goal.

    Reply
    • Amy Shojai

      Hi Vicki, That’s an excellent way to handle the issue. By stopping your movement when she gets underfoot, she realizes SHE controls your movement–and must get out of the way if you’re to read the food. Smart kitty! And smart human! Thanks for stopping by the blog.

      Reply
  2. Bonnie

    We are elderly and adore our cat Mitty. But she winds herself around our feet and I am afraid she might cause us to fall. How can we break her of this habit?

    Reply
    • Amy Shojai

      Hi Bonnie. Many cats do this, not just Mitty (love the name, by the way!). One thing you can do is find something Mitty really likes–a treat, a long distance toy?–and have that always available in your pocket. When Mitty approaches, BEFORE she makes contact with your feet, toss the toy/treat out ahead of you. Once she makes contact, DO NOT give her the toy or treat…you want her to eventually learn that she’ll earn a reward by ignoring your feet. It can take quite a bit of time, so be patient. But then, you (and Mitty) are worth it, right? *s*

      Reply
  3. Patricia H.

    Oh yes I can relate to this. Cheek and body rubs. I see 2 year old Termite cheek rubbing the bathroom door facings every day and of course he is still the designated potty partner escort. Termite usually sleeps between my feet and comes 20-30 minutes after I go to bed. He has woke me up during the night after my feet, especially my big toe. I try and stay as stiff as a board so I won’t be attacked. Being diabetic I must be very careful. Adding additional info from above to your ComPETability: Cats book would be great!

    Reply
    • Amy Shojai

      Thanks Patricia. That’s the beauty of the Ebook, I can update pretty easily. *s*

      Reply
  4. Brenda

    I used to joke that tripping humans was bored indoor cats trying to add excitement to their lives, not realizing that those with only one human might lose their home if their human was injured too badly. Ours have all gotten tired of me explaining it all to them….

    Reply
    • Amy Shojai

      Awww…yes, that can happen. Also, some humans have very fragile skin and just a small scratch or nibble can be very painful and lead to dangerous infection. *sigh* Wish we could explain more clearly to our cats!

      Reply
  5. Boris Kitty

    Iz tru we kittehs like to pounce on anyfing dat moves n dat includes humanz feets (especially fun when dem feets r under covers)!

    Reply
    • Amy Shojai

      Boris Kitty, that’s absolutely true at our house especially from the “new kid” Karma. He’s only about 7 months old and finds footsie-tag a great game!

      Reply
  6. Andrea

    Haven’t been online much lately but I had to write about my experience here. Mewdy BLue used to wrap himself around my ankles whenever I got one of the stick toys out to play with all the cats at once. All the others raced around chasing the toy but Mewdy Blue claimed my ankles and hung on while swatting at the toy. Guess he was claiming his personal space 🙂

    Reply
    • Amy Shojai

      LOL! It reminds me of that funny commercial where the guy says, “They’re not fuzzy boots. They’re my cats.”

      Reply
  7. Karyl

    We’re still working on an anomaly from about a month ago that has never happened before or since. Anubis does occasionally go into play mode and jump for feet, but usually it’s a chomp-and-run. We had one where we were just sitting on the couch, cat runs by and jumps at J’s feet, then bites in and just starts SHAKING it. It was a bit of a fight to get him off. He has never done that when playing. We can’t think of anything nearby that might have made him think something was after us to have him mistakenly chomp a foot in defense or something (and to me it looked more like a move to defend something than an attack on prey, just the particular way the body movements were going – really kind of hard for me to explain what I mean here). The only thing we can figure was, since we found out later he was having some tummy troubles (lots of hairballs this winter, it’s been awful on him) was maybe it hurt just at the moment he was walking by, since the attack came on so suddenly.

    Either way it hasn’t happened since then.

    Reply
    • Karyl

      (and once again I forget to check the little box. Argh I need to find a way to make it check that thing by default LOL)

      Reply
    • Amy Shojai

      Ouch! unexpected/uncharacteristic attacks certainly would raise my antennae for a health issue. I’m glad it hasn’t happened since. And of course, there may have been some undetected sound that Anubis could hear and you couldn’t that triggered the behavior.

      Reply
      • Karyl

        Yeah, doesn’t help he’s been jumpy with the coyotes yowling outside all the time at night lately to begin with. x.x

        Reply
        • Amy Shojai

          Aha…now that could explain it. We’ve had lots of coyote singing lately, too.

          Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. How to Adopt Kittens: 10 Kitten Adoption Do's & Dont's - […] Adopting kittens too young bite and claw more than those corrected by Mom and siblings. They also may be…
  2. Trick Training Tabby: How to Teach Cats to Sit, Come & Wave, and More! - […] of the normal behaviors, as well as some of her odd foibles, to compile a trick list. Maybe your…
  3. Cat Introductions: Kitten to Cat Introductions & Introducing Cats - […] kittens are littermates — they help entertain and soothe each other. Instead of chasing and attacking your feet, they…
  4. Kitten Development! Learn About Newborn Kitten Development - […] bites or claws too hard and they’ll hiss at him or put an end to the game. If you…
  5. How Cats Hunt: Feline Hunting Behavior Explained - […] Shadow hunts and stalks…(wait for it…) DUST RAGS. Nom-nom-nommy-good. Oh, and he also hunts and chases my feet, […]

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories:

Recent Posts

Cat Fight! What to Do

How do you stop a cat fight? And how do you know if the cat fighting turns serious—rather than just kitten play? Shadow-Pup thinks it’s great fun to chase and wrestle with Karma-Kat. We supervise, of course, and interrupt the play should one or the other object.

If you’re looking for help with dog aggression, go here.

There are many kinds of cat aggression, and many are perfectly normal behaviors. Certainly, it’s not fair to you or the cats to allow cats to fight. Learn how to recognize the potential and reasons behind cat aggression and fighting cats, and what you can do.

Welcome Trinity-Kitty: New Kitten Baby Makes Three!

On Monday September 11, 2023, a tiny speck of a kitten made her presence known with very loud MEWS and a personality way bigger than anyone expected. Hungry, full of fleas, and the expected roundworms (and probably tapes because…fleas), her eyes and ears looked too big for her delicate wedge-shaped face.

Now, I get alerts about “found” kittens all the time, and sadly, can’t take any of them. This baby proved different in so many ways–only some of which I can share. While at the grocery picking up kitten food, my husband called and I explained my next stop at church—Trinity Lutheran—where I hoped to find a forever-home for the baby with a family who tragically lost a beloved kitty. And I told him if that didn’t work out, we likely had a third furry wonder for our home.

My friends at church, not yet ready to welcome a new pet, meant that the kitten came home with me. It seems that the Higher Being with whom all things are possible, made sure she found her way to us. He knew we needed her as much as she needed us.

How to Read Dog Poop: Normal Dog Poop to Dog Poop Problems

How to Read Dog Poop: Normal Dog Poop to Dog Poop Problems

Everyone who shares a home (and heart) with a dog at some point must deal with dog poop problems. Learning what’s normal, to yellow colored stool, or learning how serious blood in dog’s stool diarrhea may be helps get your dog help. While it may not be the most appealing topic, learning about your dog’s “creativity” offers important insight into his health.

Not only his food, but also your dog’s environment and emotional state, affects how his body works. Fear, anxiety, and stress can change a dog’s behavior, but also can disrupt digestion and cause enteritis. That in turn affects his poop.

Recognizing healthy elimination helps pet owners alert to abnormal eliminations. That way, when necessary, you can get your dog prompt medical help to diagnose and treat problems before they become worse.

BREAKING NEWS! Amy’s Book Sales Direct–Discounted Thrillers & Pet Nonfiction

I created an online store to sell my digital and print titles DIRECT TO YOU! In today’s world, with so much up in the air, many authors now make direct book sales available, because we control the price (and can DISCOUNT to you!), and because … well, I have control over Amy Shojai’s books.

Yes, you can still find all of my titles on the various platforms (Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Apple, GooglePlay, Audible, Chirp and more). This way, though, I earn more on each sale while offering you, dear readers, a better deal than other retailers. That means I can write more books, update existing titles, and keep providing you with what you need.

Read on to learn more about Amy Shojai Books Direct!

Why Dogs Look Guilty: Do Dogs Feel Guilty or Embarrassed?

When your dog meets you at the door, head low with ears slicked back and eyes averted, is that a canine apology? Does your dog look guilty? The behaviors certainly mimic what humans associate with feeling shame or apology.

We know dogs can feel grief, but whether guilty behavior accurately reflects the dog’s true feelings is open to debate. Learn more about what your dog says with these behaviors!

Adopting “Other-Abled” and Less Adoptable Pets

September 19-25 is National Adopt A Less Adoptable Pet Week, founded by PetFinder.com. The organization encourages shelters and rescues to create special week-long events devoted to giving overlooked pets like those with disabilities a better chance at finding homes.

This struck a chord with me, especially after living with a tri-pawd dog when Bravo lost his leg. He didn’t act disabled, though. Have you ever adopted an other-abled pet or less adoptable pet?

What Is A Less Adoptable Pet

Why less adoptable? They’re the wrong breed or have special needs. Overlooked pets include deaf dogs or deaf cats, blind pets, or those missing a limb. Many folks prefer the ‘perfect’ cute puppy or kitten and don’t want a crippled pet, or just don’t like the color of the dog or cat. Of course, we know black dogs and cats, and those with only one eye, or three legs, still love us with all their furry hearts! Read on…

Avoid Puppy Mills with this 10 Question Check List!

Know the Puppy Mill Score—Puppy Source Check List There are many places to find your dream puppy, and some are clearly better options than others. Avoid puppy mills at all cost. Of course, your heart can overrule logic if you are smitten by a needy baby, but...

Why Do Cats Fight After Vet Visits? How to Stop Cat Bashing

Congratulations! Your hard work has paid off, and Kitty no longer fears the carrier and handles the car ride with almost no signs of fear, anxiety or stress. Kitty purrs and cheek-bonks the veterinary technicians, and barely notices the doctor’s exam through all the petting and tasty treats. But as soon as you get home, Kitty’s former feline friends snub him, or worse. Why do cats fight after vet visits? What’s up with all the cat bashing?

What A Pain! Understanding Pet Pain & What to Do When Pets Hurt

September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, so I wanted to share this vital information again. We know pain hurts, but pain in pets and treating pet pain when pets hurt confuses us. They can’t tell us they feel pain, or where it hurts. Not like humans.

Because I get to work at home, there are certain perks I enjoy–such as going barefoot to work. But one afternoon last fall I moved too fast and kicked the whey outta my big toe. This wasn’t just a stubbed toe, either—it lifted and peeled the nail back to the quick, bled everywhere and hurt like the devil! Yes, I said a few choice words as I hobbled down the stairs from my office (trying not to leave a bloody trail) to get bandage material. Ooooooh, that puppy throbbed and made me whimper and howl, let me tell you.
I understand how Magical-Dawg felt several years ago. After a run in the field playing fetch, he started shivering when he came inside. The ninety-degree weather argued that he was not chilled. I checked him head-to-tail, and found nothing wrong. But later in the week, he again started shivering, and even growled at me when I asked him to move—very uncharacteristic.

Finally, after several days and two vet visits, we figured out his problem. He’d torn a dewclaw back to the quick. it hadn’t come off, so the injury remained hidden. Seren-kitty had this happen once, too, when her claw caught on bedding as she leaped from the pillow. She hid. But Magic’s short temper, shivers, and hyper-alert behavior resulted from being in pain. Here’s what you need to know to help your pets.

Pet First Aid Medicine Chest: Home Remedies to Save Pet Lives

Do you have a pet 1st aid medicine chest for your dogs and cats? The audiobook version of my first aid book for pets includes some DIY home remedies for old pets. While your veterinarian diagnoses and prescribes for your pet’s health issues, pet first aid and minor problems may benefit from human medicines.

Home remedies for pets save $$ and pet lives because Fido and Sheba rarely tears a claw or eats something iffy during regular clinic hours. It’s helpful to know how to use your pantry supplies and human medicine chest to help your cat or dog. Some people prescriptions can be dangerous (especially for cats!) so it’s a good idea to have a handy list.

Visit Amy's Website

Amy Shojai CACB is an award winning author.  You can find all her publications and book her to speak via her website. 

On Demand Writer Coaching

AmyShojai.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com http://amazon.com/.

Awards

Memberships