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If you're a cat owner, you've probably asked this question: why does my cat follow me everywhere? No matter how many of the best cat toys they buy, apartment owners may still feel like their cat is always under their feet or up on their counter or peering around the shower curtain while they're washing their hair. If you have a house, perhaps you feel like no matter what room you're in, your cat will eventually turn up. There's a reason why your cat follows you everywhere - even the bathroom, and we're going to get into it. Many behaviorists and vets have weighed in on why cats follow their owners everywhere, so there is plenty of information as to why you have a cat-shaped shadow. While in many cases it's indicative of normal feline behavior, in some cases it may be that your cat is exhibiting separation anxiety. Don't fret, we'll outline all the reasons why your cat follows you everywhere below. Let's get into it. Is it normal for a cat to follow you everywhere?It's normal for your cat to follow you from room-to-room, especially if they are particularly affectionate. Veterinarian Dr. Wailani Sung writes for Vet Street (opens in new tab) that "some cats may follow us around, because they like our companionship, while others may be following us for specific reasons - or even a combination of the two." You could have a cat follower because it's close to their feeding time, or simply because your cat is curious about what you're up to. Dr. Sung also suggests that your cat is following you to get your attention, so while it is normal for you cat to follow you, if your cat seems to be obsessively following you all of a sudden, you may want want to make sure they aren't suffering rom separation anxiety. Cats do tend to favor one person, no matter how much you socialize them when they're young. Cats are a very communicative breed and tend to favorite the person who they feel they communicate well with. Whether that means it's a person who respects their boundaries, gives them the right kind of rubs, or offers them treats, cats do pick favorites. Like we mentioned above, in most cases it's normal for your cat to follow you everywhere and is a sign of their curiosity, affection, or neediness. But some professionals believe that there are specific reasons for why your cat follows you to specific places, like the bathroom for instance. Inverse (opens in new tab) asked scientists why cats follow you to the bathroom, and Mikel Delgado, a cat researcher at UC Davis, had a few ideas: "There might be various reasons cats like to join people in the bathroom. Their litter box might be in there, so it could be a room that smells very familiar. Cats also probably know that when we are on the toilet, we are a captive audience — nowadays we are so busy and distracted that many cats are probably looking for an opportunity to have our undivided attention!" But it may also be that cats enjoy the "cool, smooth surface of sinks and tiles" or may be very curious about the running water. While some people may think that cats follow them to the bathroom in order to guard their owners while they're in a vulnerable position, there's little evidence to prove that theory. In conclusionCats are curious and affectionate creatures who love attention, so in many cases your cat is following you just to cash in on some treats or pets. If you find that your cat has suddenly become very needy, a vet visit may be in order, but otherwise your cat is likely following you around to see what the heck you're up to - yes, even in the bathroom. Does it seem like every time you do chores around the house, you trip over something small and furry — your cat trailing behind you? Cats follow their owners for a lot of reasons, and sometimes it can get to be stalker-level. The Dodo spoke to Dr. Sabrina Kong, a veterinarian at Lathrop Veterinary Center and veterinary writer, and Dorothea Hudson, a cat behavior expert with PetInsuranceU.com, to find out why your cat keeps following you around.
“A highly clingy cat can be a symptom of a variety of other issues,” Hudson told The Dodo. “To narrow down the source, you need to evaluate multiple factors, such as physical vs. emotional causes.” He thinks of you as his mom
“Some cats are naturally clingy and affectionate, and they just want companionship,” Dr. Kong told The Dodo. He wants food
“Other times cats can follow us because they have an agenda — to lead us to their food bowl, for instance,” Dr. Kong said. Dodo Shows Faith = Restored Couple Meets A Beach Dog In Mexico Who Changes Their Life
“Another reason why cats might be following their owners is that they’re curious about what they do or want access to rooms in the house that are usually unavailable to them,” Dr. Kong said.
“Cats might be clingy because they just want attention from their fellow humans,” Dr. Kong said. If your cat’s following you and meowing, he’s probably trying to get your attention (unless it’s around mealtime — then he’s probably hungry). He’s bored
“If you are the main source of stimulation for your cat, he may become dependent on you for all interaction,” Hudson said. “Your cat may just need an exciting outlet to play and explore.” Cat trees are a great way for your cat to get exercise and to practice his hunting skills, like pouncing and climbing. “Consider buying toys, scratching posts, cat beds or even a cat tree with lots of elevated nooks and crannies for your cat to indulge in,” Hudson said. You can get the Amazon Basics cat tree from Amazon for $80.99. Interactive toys are also a good way to keep your cat occupied when you can’t play with him yourself. This Ripple Rug earned The Dodo’s Paw of Approval, and you can get it from Amazon for $40.11. Separation anxiety
“Cats can experience separation anxiety,” Dr. Kong said. “What’s more, studies suggest that cats develop similar attachment styles as babies and dogs.” (Which means that cats aren’t as standoffish as you might think!) Cats can develop separation anxiety for a variety of reasons. “Cats might get separation anxiety when their routine changes, but it can also be in cases where they were not weaned properly, if they are [the] only pets at home and if they’re constantly staying indoors,” Dr. Kong said.
“If your cat is [an unspayed] female, she may be pregnant and looking for extra attention and support,” Hudson said. Some other signs to look for include increased appetite, weight gain, more affectionate behavior, nesting and swollen abdomen. (It’s important to get your cat spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted litters in the first place.) Age
“In old age, some cats feel more vulnerable and skittish, and they begin to only trust their owners,” Hudson said. Illness
“It should be noted that if your cat is becoming withdrawn from others and dependent on you, this could be a sign of more severe sickness,” Hudson said. “Cats have evolved to hide when they feel sick as a safety mechanism to reduce their vulnerability.”
Why is my cat suddenly clingy?
If you ever notice any sudden changes in behavior in your cat, you should contact your vet because it could be a medical issue. How can you tell if your cat has separation anxiety?
Some cats may be more prone to separation anxiety. “A cat weaned too young from its mother’s milk has a higher likelihood of separation anxiety later in life,” Hudson said. “Likewise, if the cat was removed from its littermates before 8 weeks, this could cause separation anxiety too.” Cats who were abandoned or who have had multiple owners in the past might also be more likely to develop separation anxiety. “Some of the signs of separation anxiety in cats include defecating outside of the litter box, meowing too much, excessive grooming and being too clingy to their owner,” Dr. Kong said. Common signs of separation anxiety in cats include:
Keep in mind that symptoms of separation anxiety in cats can resemble symptoms of other conditions. So if you think your cat might have separation anxiety, it’s important to talk to your vet to make sure it’s not another illness. If your cat is diagnosed with separation anxiety, your vet might recommend anxiety medications or calming products to help, like a pheromone diffuser or an anxiety vest. Try the Feliway Classic pheromone diffuser from Amazon for $24.99 Try the ThunderShirt from Amazon for $39.95 How to stop my cat from following me
So if your cat follows you a lot, it might just be because you’re his favorite person. But if he suddenly starts doing it, seems way too clingy or if you notice other signs that he’s sick, you should see your vet to make sure there isn’t something else going on. We independently pick all the products we recommend because we love them and think you will too. If you buy a product from a link on our site, we may earn a commission. |