Why Does My Cat Act This Way?

Why does my cat stare at me?

A stare from your feline without any blinking is believed to be for various reasons. Some experts argue it means they are surprised or interested in a sound you’re making or something you are doing. Others believe that it’s a sign of a cat showing affection towards their owner in a “I love you so much I can’t take my eyes off of you” kind of way. Either way, there’s no need to be weirded out if it feels like someone is always watching you. It’s just your fur baby being totally infatuated with you and your movements.

Why does my cat follow me everywhere?

Having a cat that follows you around from time to time is very rare since cats tend to be a rather independent companion, but they’ll be more apt to follow you if they’re interested in what you’re doing. They will also follow you if they think you are headed towards food or going to offer them a treat or reward of some type. In addition, it could possibly be a sign that they are craving more physical affection and mental stimulation. Consider adding in 15 extra minutes of play time with your feline and see if that tuckers them out a bit more and decreases the patterns of following you around your home.

How do cats say I love you?

Contrary to popular belief (we’re looking at you, dog-only people), cats have the ability to be very loving pets and communicate their adoration in several different ways. There are a few key things cats will do to tell their parent they love them including:

●     Staring without blinking.

●     Doing a “walk by” head butt/tap where their heads will sort of hit into their owner’s leg or body. Sometimes they rub their head on you for a period of time.

●     Kneading or “making biscuits” is when a cat will press their paws in a continuous right-left-right-left motion.

●     Purring loudly when rubbed is a more verbal way cats will tell their owners they love them and appreciate their affection.

●     Licking you when sitting on your lap or when you’re rubbing them. Yes, it’s a grooming technique and they’re probably trying to take care of you as they see fit. Nevertheless, it’s also a form of affection.

●     Rolling over for belly rubs is another way cats will submit to their parents or family.

●     Greeting you at the door when you return home. This illustrates how much they missed you and how happy they are to have you back.

How can I tell if my cat is happy?

A well-loved cat is a happy cat. If they're all about cuddling, snuggling and co-sleeping with you, then you can almost guarantee they’re pleased with their environment. When a cat jumps right up into your lap and decides to stay a while, they’re telling their cat parent or another trusted individual that they feel safe with them and that they’re content—and maybe that they want some extra rubs.

How do I know if my cat is scared?

The term “scaredy cat” was created for a reason. Cats can be spooked easily and will react almost instantaneously to a perceived threat or danger. The biggest indicator that a cat is afraid is that they’ll dart into hiding as a way to protect themselves. If they don’t have a way to make a quick escape, a cat will arch their back upwards to make themselves seem larger, puff their fur out, make their tail stand straight up and they may even hiss, let out a low growl and bat at whatever is scaring them. These are all self-defense tactics a cat will deploy when angry or scared.

Not all behaviors are based on external threat factors, but more of an internal imbalance or personality problem with your cat. If you believe your cat is suffering from anxiety or depression issues, please be sure to consult your veterinarian to explore treatment options. Some cats may find comfort in enclosed cat houses, by utilizing scratching posts or with catnip and other cat treats. Many of these behaviors can be decreased and resolved with certain interventions offered by pet professionals or with the cat-specific products mentioned above.

Conclusion

Understanding cat behavior and language can be hard and decoding what they’re trying to say with those beady eyes or head butts can be confusing. Whether they’re staring, following you, scared, angry or happy, they’ll tell you in various ways so you can create an environment that is most comfortable and safe for them.