Nipping My Ankles

[4Maddie44]

My cat, Smudge, has a strange habit or grabbing me by my ankles, when I walk pass him. and nipping at my leg.  I don't know if this affectionate or not.  He never hurts me in any other way, and is a very loving cat.

Seems such strange behaviour.

[myhoneyraces]

That is just your cat's way of getting your attention.  My cat Trixie lies on my floor in the mornings and waits till I walk past and reaches out and grabs my ankles.  She is completely intoxicated when I reach out to love and play with her..........Take her up on her offer.

[FurballsMom]

Akira nips if I have bare legs and it's breakfast time.  She isn't being mean and she isn't using her canines, although once in a while it actually hurts a little bit.  Akira will get gently reprimanded for that.  Usually a firm "No" stops her.  On rare occasions when that doesn't work I will use one finger and give her a firm tap on the nose/mouth along with the "No" command. It's only enough to redirect her attention.  She knows this, too, because she will return to normal meal time begging behavior after that.  

But, yes, it is a normal behavior.  Once Akira gets her breakfast, she is fine and stops that nonsense.  I can set the bowl down and speak to her in the normal manner I speak to my precious fur baby and reach down to pet her while she is eating.  She will go right back into purr and affection mode.  And, she is actually one of the sweetest kitties I have ever known.  She loves people and most people who meet her really like her, too.

[4Maddie44]

Yes, Smudge has plenty of toys to keep him occupied.  I love watching him toss things in the air, do an acrobat, and turn round whilst catching it.  I have cut catnip from my garden and put it into a little pouch, which he also loves.

I find I am walkin g along with a cat attached to my foot!!  Bless him.  Glad it is normal behaviour.

By the way my daughter's cat who had to have her back leg amputated, had to have another operation to removed dead skin around the operation site.  The vet pulled the underskin together, and she seems to be doing well.

I saw an article in  a newspaper about a cat who was born without any bones in its front legs, and gets around perfectly well on its back legs.

[Bkitty]

My kitten Elmo does this all the time,,its gotten to the point he attacks our feet while we are sleeping. He usually is just wanting to play. ;) Maybe some toys will help!

[opus88]

hi Maddie, I think Smudge is just trying to play with you....does she have toys to chase and hunt? get a string...some have feathers or birds at the end to tease her with, my boys love their birdie game and look forward to me playing/teasing them with it often throughout the day.....she isn't being mean, just wants your attention♥