A sudden clingy behavior from your cat could only mean any of these four things: fear, anxiety, stress, or a medical condition. If you observe a sudden change in behavior from your feline friend, take it seriously and try to identify the cause.
Your cat might be clingy simply because they aren't getting enough mental and physical stimulation, says Petbucket. Taking breaks to play with your cat and providing interactive toys to help keep them active and entertained throughout the day can help in these cases.
Newness. Whether the cat is new to you or you've moved to a new space together, it can take a cat awhile to get used to its new surroundings. People, smells, and spaces can all overwhelm your cat, causing them to draw closer to you for support.
Despite their reputation for being aloof, most cats crave attention, especially from their favorite people. Cats get lonely when you're not around and will beg for attention when you are. One way they do this is by sitting on your lap; it's hard to ignore them when they're right on top of you!
Separation Anxiety in Cats
Additionally, extreme clingy behavior can erode your mutual bond — just when your cat is feeling most needy and insecure. The annoyance caused by the constant attention of an obsessively clingy cat can cause even the most loving owner to back away.
Cats have the power to sense their owner's emotions. So, cats have the ability to feel whenever their owner is sad. Beyond sadness, domestic cats are also able to feel whenever their owner has switched moods and emotions.
Burmese are often considered to be the most affectionate cat breed. They love being with people at all times and crave close physical contact, making them the ultimate companion cat for a devoted family. They will follow their owner from room to room and prefer to cuddle up on the sofa or sleep in bed with them.
According to a study done by the nutrition company, Canadae, they discovered that the person who makes the most effort is the favorite. People who communicate with their cat by getting to know their cues and motives are more attractive to their cat companions.
There are more subtle signs such as purring, eye contact, cheek rubs, and laying on your chest. This position is so comfortable for cats. It's how they show love and trust. Your cat may lie on your chest to show that you're their protector.
If your cat sleeps on your bed, he may choose a position that lets him see out your bedroom door more easily. If he's curled up in a ball under your bed or in a quiet corner, then he may be hiding. Cats who sleep under the covers might love being close to you, or they might be hiding to feel safer.
“Sometimes it is stress, but you can't blame everything on stress. Many cats demand attention when there's no stress, but they like to be petted, talked to and played with.” If a cat discovers that the behavior brings him what he wants, he'll increase it to get more attention.
Cats are social beings that form strong relationships with their owners. Therefore, if their social and feeding needs are not met over periods of solitude the cats can become depressed and feel separation anxiety.
Although cats don't need as much constant attention as most dogs, they do connect and bond with their humans, and they feel unhappy when separated for too long.
Can cats sense emotions? Cats can sense how people are feeling, so your cat actually can tell when you're sad. “Cats can definitely sense when you are sad because they are highly attuned to your normal behaviors and moods, and if there is a change, they sense it,” Dr. Wooten told The Dodo.
Howling, crying, hiding, and otherwise acting in a way that is out of character for your pet should alert you that something may be seriously wrong. Changes in litter box habits, particularly in male cats, can indicate a serious health problem.
Cats create a strong emotional bond with their owners. So when the latter get sick, their furry friends tend to become more clingy and caring towards them.
THEIR PURRING HELPS TO HEAL BONES, TENDONS AND MUSCLES – A cat purring is one of the most comforting sounds in the world and while it certainly means your cat is happy and comfortable, the sound has also been long associated with a therapeutic healing ability on human bones and muscle.
Some cats are more timid or anxious, and sitting on your lap might make them feel unsafe or vulnerable. Sitting next to you offers them security and an escape route if needed. Perhaps they had a negative experience, such as being mishandled, dropped, or hurt while on someone's lap.
They get up close. Cats are very protective of their personal space and don't like unwelcome guests to invade it. If a cat allows you to get close to them, that suggests a close bond, particularly where the contact is frequent or long lasting. Curling up on your lap for a nap is a sign of deep trust.
According to Discovery News' report on research on cat and human behavior, the No. 1 reason a cat likes female humans is because women tend to spend more time with cats. And the more attention they get from a person, the more likely they are to give the same amount of loving right back.
They can remember a person's face for up to 10 years! And kitties become seriously attached to their humans, so in case you were wondering, yes, your cat remembers and misses you when you're gone for a few weeks, and they absolutely mourn when a trusted companion drops out of their life.
All in all, even the most aloof and brooding cat will be able to pick up on your warmth and devotion. Whether they choose to admit it or not, they can sense when a person loves them (and hates them). So always make sure you're emitting good, kitty-positive vibes, and your cat will be sure to indulge in the lovefest.
Orange cats were regarded as the friendliest by respondents, while white cats were labeled aloof, and tortoiseshell cats were thought to have too much "attitude." The subject was revisited in a University of California Davis study a few years later.
While a cat's gender doesn't seem to make a difference in terms of affection, Posluns notes that studies of cat personality also suggest it has little influence on the type of relationship with their owner. But in contrast, "an owner's gender has a much more significant impact on the cat-human bond," she says.