Expert: Dear Tabbi - 10/20/2008

Question
My cat keeps attacking me if i am standing in my kitchen my cat will come behind me and bite my leg, if i am sitting it will jump on my back or bite my feet, any advice on this would be very helpful,

Answer
Jacky,

It sounds like you have a cat that is a 'hunter'. Was it a feral kitten? Or she is bored and is playing with you like she would another cat.

If she is a natural born hunter, and since she can't go outside to hunt, she is hunting your ankles and legs. A hunter cat needs the stimulation of the hunt inside.

Some suggestions:

Give her raw beef rib bones periodically. I have the butcher at the grocery store cut them in half. The meat will give her the feeling of a 'fresh kill' plus the fibers in the meat help clean the teeth.

Get a gerbil cage (keep it secure with a bungee cord) and get some mice for her to watch and try to catch. That will keep her amused. The mice (or lizards, etc.) get used to the cats being around and don't pay attention to them after awhile.

Get a cat video for her to watch. My cats LOVE them. Here is where I got mine: http://petsittervideos.com/index.html

Get her a kitty friend about the same age and temperment. Cats need a friend to play kitty games with, snuggle with, and be company and companionship when they are alone. A single cat has a tendency to be more distructive, and attention-getting. Having two cats keeps the pressure off of you to keep them amused.

Get some furry white stuffed mice that you can throw that she can 'catch'. Drag a shoestring around for her to chase. Get a kitty condo where she can sit on it and look out the window at birds, etc. Put a bird feeder out the window.

For excess energy a pet laser light is good. They love to chase the little 'red bug'. You can get them at Petsmart, Petco, etc.

Harness train her and let her go outside to hunt...even if it's only a leaf. Here is a link on how to train them:
http://www.hdw-inc.com/leashtraining.htm

Have a folded newspaper handy or carry one when you think the cat is going to attack your leg. Whap her, or your leg, with the newspaper when she goes for your leg to scare her, and at the same time loudly say "NO LEGS!" That is so she can associate the scaring and loud voice with your leg. Make sure to wait a few minutes then love on her. You want her to be scared to attack your leg but NOT to be scared of you!

Also, is she/he spayed or neutered? That would help settle him/her down.

Also, behavior problems are often signs of illness or pain. It is important for a cat with an aggression problem to be examined by a vet. This is especially important for adult cats that suddenly become aggressive. Ear infections, abscessed teeth, etc. can cause aggression.

I hope this gives you some ideas. Be firm and consistant to break her of the leg and ankle attacking but make sure you have something else to occupy and interest her besides your ankles.

Tabbi