Why does my cat follow me everywhere? 7 good reasons
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As a loving cat parent, you may notice an “a-mews-ing” but slightly irritating cat habit and wonder:Why does my cat always follow me? Into the bedroom. Into the kitchen. Into the bathroom (is nothing sacred?). It’s like being shadowed 24/7 by a miniature (but friendly) little stalker.
We’ve had cats who do this to us, and we know how disconcerting and even annoying it can be. But never worry – we will help you get to the bottom of yet another feline mystery! Here are 7 good reasons yourcat follows you around:
The feeling of love is mutual
Happiest reason: She loves you and wants to be with you
Every cat lover agrees that our pawsome pals are not just pets – they’re part of our families and we love them. Your beloved kitty feels the same way about you (whether or not she deigns to show it).Soone reasonyour cat follows you everywheremay be because she enjoys being with you. She may be clingy by nature, or she may simply love your companionship and being in your presence. Whether she likes to play or just be cozy, let her know you feel the same affection back to her.
Second: He wants your attention
It’s somewhat flattering to think your furry friend wants you to pay attention to him by saying his name, patting him gently or playing with him. If you’ve been busy and not paying enough attention, yourcat may follow you aroundto remind you he exists.Even more, he may knock things off tables and counters, steal or play with objects, jump up to be at your level, and even nibble on you. In other words, he’ll insist that you acknowledge him and take a lot more time with him!
Hungry cat
Third: She’s hungry and wants her dinner
Your cat may be leading the life of Riley –butat heart she’s still a hunter, always on the lookout for her next meal. And you are a major food source!Consequently, she may indeed be “stalking” you until you deliver! Ways to tell if this is true: Is she following you in the kitchen? Is it dinnertime? Is she dropping hints like meowing near her food bowl or rubbing up against your legs? Cats are not necessarily subtle!
Alsounderstand that a cat’s natural dining habits would include five small meals throughout the day. But at your house, she’ll most likely follow your human feeding schedule, which doesn’t match her natural pattern. So shadowing you and dropping those hints may be her way of “training” you to adopt a schedule more to her liking.
Fourth: He’s bored and/or curious
“Curiosity killed the cat” is not a nice saying – but indeed, cats are curious creatures! Indoor cats can get bored (not unlike kids at home on a rainy day). They have nothing to do – no hunting, no exploring.As a result,yourcat follows you everywhereto add some interest in his life. You bring in outside smells, open doors he can’t, and do things that don’t always follow routine. Think about it: When you’re on the move, you act like “prey” to him – and he can have fun pretending to stalk you.
In addition, cats want to know what in the world you’re doing. Your cat may tag along with you to entertain himself. By following you into a room where he’s not normally allowed, like a bedroom or office, he has something new to explore.
Whether your cat is bored or curious, add some intellectually stimulating and playful activities to take his focus off of stalking you. Cats enjoy toys or play that involves prey or chasing.
Cat getting attention
Fifth: He wants something from you
Althoughcats may not be able to speak, they can certainly communicate! They’re exceptionally smart and know how to get their needs taken care of. When acat follows you, it’s telling you something important, like what he wants!
He may indicate a path to a room he wants you to go to, or look at an empty bowl and walk to and from the kitchen.Following youcan be his way of asking you to play or cuddle. Or he may be feeling insecure and want you to protect him in some way. Whatever the reason, it’s important to learn to “read” your cat when he’s tracking your every movement.
Sixth: She’s got separation anxiety and/or feeling stressed
Check if your cat’s stressed
If yourcat follows you aroundall of a sudden, she could be suffering from separation anxiety or stressed out by a major change in your household.Cats are sensitive creatures, and they need to feel secure.
If you’re tuned in to your furry friend, you’ll know if the reason she’s tailing is a problem that needs to be addressed. Pay attention if she gets distressed whenever she’s separated from you, becomes agitated when you try to leave, meows excessively, or exhibits destructive behavior. She may also start toileting in an inappropriate way (nice euphemism, eh?) – and make it clear she needs to be near you at all times.
In such cases, speak to your veterinarian for suggestions on how to help her.
Seventh: Something’s wrong
Is yourcat is following you aroundall of a sudden when he didn’t do so before? It could be he’s in pain or not feeling well. An increase in attention-seeking behavior could mean he’s trying to tell you he feels vulnerable and needs some kind of help or comfort. Certainly check him over at home, and possibly take him to the vet to get a professional opinion. Sometimes a pet parent can take a cat in to the vet without a clear idea of what’s wrong, but it’s enough to diagnose a medical problem.
How do I stop my cat from stalking me?
Not all pet parents like having their cats trailing them day in and day out. If you find this behavior irritating or troublesome, we have some suggestions:
- Give your cat some activities like puzzle feeders, toys or catnip to stave off boredom and feed his curiosity.
- Schedule daily playtime to give your cat undivided and fun attention.
- Make sure you have scratching posts, cat trees and cat hammocks, blankets and places to hide.
- Walk away and reward her later when she isn’t aggressively following you.
- Check the litter boxes to make sure they’re clean and pass muster with your finicky kitty.
- Check your cat’s water bowl to make sure there’s clean water in it.
To conclude, if yourcat is following you everywhere, it’s usually because he wants to be with you, is bored, is curious about what you’re doing, wants something from you or is hungry. Your intelligent little feline friend may be coaxing you in a canny way to get what she wants and needs. So smile knowingly, throw up your hands, relax and enjoy!
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Sources:
https://thediscerningcat.com/why-does-my-cat-follow-me-everywhere/
https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2022/05/27/why-does-my-cat-follow-me-everywhere/
https://www.thewildest.com/cat-behavior/why-does-my-cat-follow-me
https://cats.com/why-does-my-cat-follow-me-everywhere
