If your cat is suddenly clingy, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about it.
So, why is my cat suddenly clingy? Likely reasons why your cat is suddenly clingy are that it has actually become more comfortable around you, illness, injury, hunger, or a change in its environment.
There are actually a number of possible reasons why your cat has suddenly started being clingy and it might be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are a number of things you can consider to help figure out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Why is my cat suddenly clingy?
Below are likely causes and what you can do about them.
Your cat has become more comfortable around you
It could actually be the case that your cat has become more comfortable around you. This would be more likely if you have not owned your cat for a long time, it was fearful initially and if it has also been doing things such as get you to pet it or rub itself against you a lot.
Something has been causing your cat to be fearful
It could also be the case that something has been causing your cat to be fearful and to follow you around in order to feel safer. This would be more likely if it has been doing it since things such as getting a new dog, moving homes or another change around the home.
Illness or injury
Another possible cause is that your cat has gotten an illness or injury and it has caused your cat to follow you around because it makes your cat feel safer. This would be more likely if your cat has been showing other signs of having an illness or injury such as being sick or limping. In this case, the best option would be to take it to a vet.
Hunger
It could also be the case that your cat is hungry. This would be more likely if your cat has been following you around since a change in its diet, since you started feeding it at a different time or since you started feeding it less. It would also be more likely if it stops being clingy after you have fed it.
Encouraging the behavior
It might also be the case that you have encouraged the behavior. If you tend to give it things such as extra attention and you pet it, when it comes near you, it will likely do it more for more rewards. This would be more likely if your cat gets you to pet it when it comes near you. If you don’t want your cat to do it as much, it would likely be necessary for you to pet it less.
You have been noticing it more
It could also be the case that your cat has always been clingy but you have just been noticing it more recently. This would be more likely if you have been around the home more recently.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
What else happened when your cat first started being clingy
It would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started being clingy since an event could have caused it to start. Possible things that happened could include a change in the environment at home, someone mistreating it, a change in its diet or you stopped giving it as much attention.
The timing of when your cat is clingy
If there is a certain time that your cat seems to be clingy, it would also help to consider the timing. For example, if your cat does it more before you have fed it, the cause would be more likely to be that it is waiting to be fed. Whereas, if it does it more when there are loud noises inside, it would be more likely to be that the noise is causing it to be fearful.
What to do about my cat being suddenly clingy?
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Let it do it
If your cat seems to have been doing it because it just likes being around you and it has not been bothering you, the easiest option would be to simply allow your cat to continue doing it.
Give it somewhere else to go
If your cat seems to be doing it because something has been causing it to be fearful, it could also help to give your cat somewhere else to go where it can feel safer. An example, could be a high-up spot somewhere that other pets can’t go.
Ensure its diet is right
If your cat seems to have been doing it due to being hungry, it would also help to ensure that it has been getting the right diet and that it has been eating the right amount. It could also help to feed it at the same time each day so that it does not follow you around for the rest of the day hoping to be fed.
Get help
If your cat has been behaving very unusually or it has been showing signs of illness or injury, it would help to take it for a checkup. By doing so, you should be able to get expert advice tailored towards your cat and to rule out medical causes.
Why does my cat want more attention than usual?
Likely reasons why your cat wants more attention than usual are hunger, something causing it to be anxious, a change in its environment or that it has become more comfortable around you. It would help to consider if anything else has changed recently and if it there is a certain time that your cat tends to want attention. It might also be the case that it has learned that it simply likes getting attention from you.
Why is my cat suddenly more attached to me?
If your cat has suddenly become more attached to you, it could be because your cat has learned that it likes the attention, something has been causing it to be anxious, a change in its diet, a change in its environment or that it has become more comfortable around you. It would help to consider what else happened when your cat first became attached to you and the timing of when your cat is most attached to you.
Why is my cat being so needy?
If your cat is being very needy, it could be due to illness, injury, something causing it to be fearful or hunger. It could also be the case that it has become more comfortable around you and has learned that it feels safer when it is around you.