Why is my cat Wimsey trying to kill me?

[badgerpup]

The little guy has been playing 'chicken' with my legs, getting under my feet, damn near tripping me up...
and if I go down, it ain't gonna be pretty...'specially if I land on him. :yoiks:

I'm thinking, OK, he wants my attention...but he doesn't want petted or cuddled.
They have a self-feeding station- it's got plenty of food in it (which he likes) and the water dish is full (and fresh), the catbox is clean, and he doesn't want to go outside.
WHAT DOES HE WANT?
:banghead:

There's a message here, and I'm obviously too dense to get it. Somebody, help me out here please? I'm tired of almost-stepping on him.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. He likes to watch you try to catch your balance.

Slapstick is amusing.

[Mezzo]

2. He wants to PLAAAAAAAAY. He wants his belly rubbed.

a bottle cap oughta do the trick.

[badgerpup]

8. I gave him a 'mousie'...

...since it seemed as though he was 'asking' for it...staring very intently at the place where they're kept.
No, mousie wasn't what he wanted.
Belly rub...nope.

Little shit darling just came in, and since I'm sitting (and he can't trip me) started NIPPING my leg.
That does NOT fly around here. Biting is a BIG no-no.

I've already given them catnip once today. We don't have a schedule for it...mostly it's 'when I feel like it'...but that's several times a week.
Both Riktor and Wimsey recognize the jar in which it's kept...and Wimsey for sure understands the word 'catnip'.

[Mezzo]

14. My little Mallie likes to nip at legs...

esp. if they're bare. She walks in between your legs, rubbing her pretty little self against you and then...WHAM! She takes a bite outta crime. I always pick her up and hold her baby style and kiss her when she does it. (She hates the kisses and it keeps me from turning her into stew).

[barb162]

3. Maybe he wants a different food right now.

And maybe he just wants to play.

[emilyg]

4. Crinkle some paper for him to play with. Buy some catnip.

[krispos42]

5. He wants fresh meat!

:hide:

[libodem]

7. I always figure that's why my cats try and kill me

[BarenakedLady]

6. He's not trying to kill you.

He's just fucking with you. It's what cats do.

[FloridaJudy]

9. Cats are like that.

They seem to instinctively know where you're going to put your feet next, and hurry to get there before you. It's their way of keeping you focused and mindful.

Plus, they love to laugh their furry little butts off when you do a spectacular pratfall.

[EFerrari]

10. When I was fostering, I had to learn the "kitten shuffle"

which means, never taking your feet far enough off of the ground to then come down and smoosh a kitten. It's happened.

Playing under you feet is part of their bonding dealie. He just wants to be with you. The kitty will get over it, most likely. For now, though, it would be a good idea to be a little careful.

[laconicsax]

11. It's pretty simple, really.

Cats only tolerate us living in 'their' house because they're dependent on us for food and water just like how we tolerate shitty jobs because we're dependent on the paycheck/insurance.

Your cat thinks that it has no use for you, so you've become expendable.

[Skittles]

12. HE WANTS TO PLAY

now get off your ass and PLAY WITH HIM :D

[ThomCat]

13. Play, play, play. play. Play!

It's time to swat at each other, and roll on the floor together, and pretend fight, and do all kinds of kitty play. :)

That's how kittens bond with you and become family.

[CreekDog]

15. dumping water on my cat's head cured him of that habit

better water hitting his head than me landing on him.

[applegrove]

16. He likes the game "weave in between mom's feet". Simple as that.

Until he gets hurt he will keep playing.

[MilesColtrane]

17. I suggest a length of string or a yardstick.

Play with him till he's too tired to continue his homicidal ways.