If your cat has been putting its paw on you, when you pet it, you might be wondering why and what you can do about it. This post will show you a number of possible causes and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat put its paw on me when I pet it? Possible reasons why your cat puts its paw on you, when you pet it, are that it wants you to stop petting it, it wants you to pet it differently, or that it is showing affection back to you.
There are actually a number of possible reasons why your cat has been doing it and it might be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are a number of things you can consider when figuring out the main cause and there are a number of things you can do about it.
Reasons why your cat puts its paw on you when you pet it
Below are a number of possible causes and what would make each of them more likely to be the main cause.
Your cat wants you to stop
It might be the case that your cat puts its paw on you because it wants you to stop petting it. This would be more likely if it shows other signs of wanting you to stop such as pulling away from you or getting agitated.
Your cat wants you to pet it more
On the other hand, it might also be the case that it wants you to pet it more. This would be more likely if it rubs itself against you and brushes its head against your hand.
Related: Why is my cat so affectionate in the morning?
Your cat wants you to pet it differently
Another possible cause is that your cat wants you to pet it differently. This would be more likely if your cat rubs its head against you in a different way to the way that you are petting it. Often, cats do this when people are petting their heads and backs but they actually want their chin to be rubbed.
Related: Why does my cat sit on my chest?
Injury
It could also be the case that your cat has an injury and you are hurting it by petting it. This would be more likely if your cat has started doing it suddenly, it doesn’t like it when you pet it in a certain spot and if your cat tries to make you stop petting it.
Your cat is showing affection back to you
Another possible cause is that your cat is showing affection back to you. This would be more likely if your cat seems to be ok with the way you are petting it and it also starts purring.
Things to consider about your cat putting its paw on you when you pet it
Below are some things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your cat has been doing it.
If your cat has always put its paw on you when being petted
If your cat did not always put its paw on you, when being petted, it would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it might be due to things such as a change in the way that you pet it or getting injured.
What is different when your cat does not put its paw on you
It would also help to consider what is different when it puts its paw on you. For example, if it only puts its paw on you when you pet it in a certain way, it would be more likely that your cat does it because it either likes or dislikes the way that you are petting it.
The body language it shows
It would also help to consider the body language it shows when you are petting it. If it shows signs of being agitated such as wagging its tail and moving away, it would be more likely that it is putting its paw on you because it wants you to stop. Whereas, if it does things such as purr and rub its head into you, it would be more likely that it likes the way you are petting it.
What to do about your cat putting its paw on you when you pet it
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Make sure to pet it the right way
Since your cat might be doing it because it wants you to pet it differently, it would help to make sure that you have petting it appropriately. It would help to pet it gently, and cats often do not like it when your stroke their entire backs. Often, cats prefer to be rubbed below the chin.
Be aware of when your cat wants you to stop
It would also help to be away of when your cat wants you to stop. Often, cats will want to be petted a little bit but will quickly become agitated. When your cat starts to show signs of being agitated, such as pulling away, it would help to either pet it differently or to stop petting it.
Why has my cat suddenly started putting its paw on me when I pet it?
If your cat has started doing it suddenly, it might be because it has gotten an injury or because you started petting it differently.