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My Cat Sometimes Attacks Peoples Legs/Feet

post #1 of 4
5/22/10 at 12:49pm
Thread Starter 
One of my cats (about 2 years old) exhibits some strange behavior sometime where he will follow someone around and rub against their legs, especially if they have shorts on. He'll follow them around wherever they go and then sometimes he'll just go after their legs/feet. I think he thinks he is playing but I am not entirely sure. I am nervous to have him around people and especially kids in case he does this to them. Otherwise, he is an EXTREMELY affectionate cat and will warm up to absolutely anyone. He does have one brother who is much more of a typical "alone" cat than he is. He is more like a dog affectionately speaking.

I am trying to figure out why he might be doing this and how I could improve his behavior. Sometimes I believe he may do this because he is craving wet food but sometimes he may do this even shortly after eating.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!
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post #2 of 4
5/23/10 at 8:18am
How bad does he get and what is his body language like right before he reacts? Does he do this to you, too, or just other people?

It could possibly be different smells people are bringing in from outside. It could even be that he's wanting to remark them with his own scent and they're not responding the way he likes so he gets snappy over it. I have one that will try to attach himself to your legs so he can thoroughly sniff you (he'll wrap his front paws around your leg), if you push him away he gets very annoyed and will sometimes even hiss.
There's likely a lot of body language misunderstanding on his side and on the humans side causing this. Unfortunately, while you and maybe those in the household could learn better it's hard to teach others and young children - especially if those folks aren't cat lovers and don't want a course in cat behavior.

You could try getting some feliway diffusers and see if they help settle him down any.

But ultimately, if you can't trust him around strangers he may just have to go hang out in the bedroom while they're around.
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post #3 of 4
5/23/10 at 6:37pm
Thread Starter 
Hi strange_wings,

Thank you very much for your reply. I guess I would say that his body language is sort of trying to get your attention. Like he's saying "Hey, look down here at me please!" He will just rub his head against your leg and if you walk he'll keep after you and meow as well. He does this to me and other people as well.

When I first got him, he did this more often and actually bit me very badly. He definitely did this less since I got him a brother (about 6 months after I initially got him).

It's just strange because he is so affectionate towards anyone he is around including people he's never met before. I am actually selling my house and two agents told me how wonderfully affectionate he is to them. Recently however I had him staying at my friends house and he did the same thing to him and cut his foot.

Is it possible he just wants attention and I should just let people to know that if he does that to just sit down and pet him? Maybe I can try that or something else you might recommend the next time I see this behavior? I'm curious if it may have to do with him being hungry for the wet food?

What are feliway diffusers? Can I get them at PetSmart?

Thanks so much again for your reply!
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post #4 of 4
5/23/10 at 6:46pm
Feliway is a synthetic hormone that comes in a diffuser form and in a spray form. The latter cost less, but the diffuser works better. Yes, they can be purchased at Petsmart. You can also buy them online cheaper, if you like online shopping.

Definitely tell people who are going to be around him that he does this. One way to head off this behavior may be to just get him away from people's feet. Either lift him up to a surface and give him a couple pets or distract him.
Make sure he's up to date on his rabies vac in case he bites deeply enough to draw blood.

If he's hungry, and agitated because of it, that could certainly make him act out more. But I wouldn't give him food right after he does this, you would risk teaching him that it's ok to get rough to get what he wants.
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