Why does my cat bite my ankles when I walk past?

Your cat is probably treating your ankles like moving prey. The most common reasons are play aggression, boredom, attention-seeking, or redirected frustration.

Why it happens

• Hunting instinct: Moving feet trigger chase-and-pounce behavior.
• Too much energy: Indoor cats often invent their own games.
• Attention works: If you react big, your cat learns it gets a response.
• Stress spillover: A cat annoyed by something else may take it out on you.

How to reduce it

• Don’t run or yell — that can make you seem more exciting to chase.
• Freeze or walk away calmly when it happens.
• Redirect to a toy like a wand or kicker toy.
• Add daily play: 2 short sessions of 10–15 minutes can help burn energy.

If it happens suddenly or gets more intense, check for stress, pain, or changes at home and consider a vet visit.