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My Cat Won’t Leave Me Alone! What’s The Possible Explanation?

Cats have a reputation for being condescending snobs. But how come my cat won’t leave me alone this time?

A cat being clingy and a cat following you around can be two different things. A feline that won’t leave you alone is likely demanding something, which we will discuss in this post.

my cat won't leave me alone

Take note that every cat is different and so is their behavior. Some kitties can also develop unusual habits over time, including following their owners around.

Reasons why your cat won’t leave you alone

If your cat isn’t giving you a break, the following might be the reasons why:

why won't my cat leave me alone

1. Your cat just arrived at your home.

Cats that are recently adopted will be confused, scared, and agitated. To ease the anxiety, the kitty will seek whoever provides them comfort – you.

Take note that this phase is normal and actually a good sign that your adopted cat is bonding with you. In most cases, a newly adopted kitty will hide and will become fear-biters.

It’s important to keep the feline comfortable and feeling secure. You should also give the cat enough time to adjust and acclimate to your home.

2. Your cat wants food.

Another common reason why cats don’t leave their owners is that they want food. It’s often accompanied by endless meowing.

Like dogs, many cats seem to have an insatiable appetite. And while giving in to them is the convenient solution, such a move will just reinforce the behavior and increase the risk of feline obesity.

But before you judge your kitty cat for having a voracious appetite, it’s important to check the clock. It’s probably time for your feline’s next meal or some treats.

Take note that this behavior gets worse when you’re actually something. My cat Watson will meow in protest and never leave me whenever I’m eating anything on the couch.

3. Something changed in the environment

Although cats seem to have no care in the world, they are actually beings of habit. They thrive in a routine, so if sudden changes occur, they can get confused and scared.

Such changes can be anything from moving to a new home, the death of a loved one, the arrival of a baby, and so on. You should also remember that cats have varying sensitivity levels and others may become easily stressed on the subtlest change.

Many kitties would often stick beside their owners during these times. It’s a sign that your pet actually trusts you and sees you as someone who can provide protection.

4. Your cat is sick.

Sickness and injury can be the reason why your cat is following you around. It’s probably your pet’s effort to tell you that something is amiss on its health.

If your cat is following you around and displaying unusual behavior, it’s best to consult a veterinarian. Symptoms like weakness, poor appetite, lameness, and sudden aggression are all indicators of a potential health problem.

5. Your cat wants to play.

Lastly, your cat won’t leave you alone until you play with him. This is normal, especially for affectionate breeds and those used to having constant companions at home.

Overall, this is considered normal and not something to worry about. However, if your cat bares its teeth and claws, you must not tolerate the behavior.

How to get your cat to leave you alone

While it can feel like an honor having a cat getting so clingy to you, it can get inconvenient at times. In such a case, you can do the following:

How to get your cat to leave you alone

1. Set a routine and follow it.

Getting your cat used to a routine will help break its obsession with you. This will also let the cat explore other activities instead of bugging you all day long.

Such routine includes fixed mealtime schedules, playtime, and other activities. Over time, your feline will get used to this routine, which can beat boredom.

2. Keep the kitty distracted.

Many times, cats bother their owners all day because of boredom. If this is the case, you should give your cat toys for distraction.

Catnip toys, fishing poles, scratchers, balls, and teasers are some of the common options. If you don’t have the extra bucks, you can use household items like bottle caps, towel rolls, and simply a blanket.

Overall, cats aren’t really hard to entertain. Anything that’s moving and making noise will surely attract their attention.

3. Don’t give in to the cat’s demands

Cats don’t have respect for our schedules and they will always try to get their way. It’s important not to give in to these demanding situations as you’ll only reinforce the behavior.

Instead, use a cue word like ‘No’ or ‘Stop’ whenever your cat is starting to interfere with your activity. Ignoring the cat also works sometimes.

4. Use smells your cat hates

If you want your cat to keep its distance while you work or do stuff, you can utilize its sense of smell. Some of the scents cats hate the most are citrus, pine, mint, and spicy peppers.

Just note that reactions to these odors vary per cat. Feel free to experiment and see which will work for your Stage 5 clinger.

5. Give your cat its own corner

Lastly, it will help a lot if your cat has its own corner to rest and play. This will help the kitty tone down instead of following and bugging you around.

A quiet corner in your house with minimal foot traffic is a good choice. Make sure that you place your cat’s bed, toys, and other belongings here to make it attractive.

Why is my cat clingy only to me?

Many cats tend to run favorites in the household. So if you’re the only one your kitty won’t leave alone in the house, it’s a sign that the feline likes you most.

Nevertheless, it’s still important to socialize your kitty with other members of the household. This way, your cat won’t form an insecure attachment to you.

Can cats be obsessed with their owners?

It’s quite normal for felines to become obsessed with their owners. It’s much so if the person is the one providing the kitty with sustenance, affection, and care.

As long as your cat’s obsession isn’t causing problems, it can be considered normal. Also, it’s normal for some cat breeds to be extremely clingy.

Conclusion

My cat won’t leave me alone! Many cat owners can relate to this struggle, but it’s not usually a cause of concern.

While cats are stereotyped to be independent and snotty, many are lovebugs who want to be around their owners all the time.

Overall, this is considered normal. But if you’re worried, it doesn’t hurt to consult the vet as always.

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