If your cat keeps circling you, this post will show you why and what you can do about it.
So, why does my cat circle me? Possible reasons why your cat circles you are that it is marking its scent onto you, it is being affectionate, it wants something from you, or that it wants attention.
There are a number of possible reasons why your cat circles you and it could be due to a combination of them. However, there are some things you can consider to help figure out the main reason and there are some things you can do about it.
Reasons why your cat circles you
Below are a number of possible reasons why your cat circles you and what you can do about them.
It is marking its scent on to you
The reason why your cat circles you could be that it is marking its scent onto you so that other animals are less likely to enter its territory. This would be more likely if your cat rubs itself against you when it is doing it.
It is being affectionate
The cause could also be that it is being affectionate. This would be more likely if it gets you to pet it, when it circles you, and it purrs and it does not seem to be doing it in order to get something from you.
It wants something from you
The reason why your cat does it might also be that it is waiting to get something from you or that it is telling you to give it something. This would be more likely if it meows when circling you and it does it more at a certain time such as just before you would normally feed it.
It feels safer
The reason why your cat always circles you could be that it makes your cat feel safer. This would be more likely if your cat does it more when it is likely to be feeling fearful such as when there are noises outside or animals around that it does not like. In this case, it could help to give your cat a safe spot that it can go to.
It wants attention
Another possible cause is that it wants some attention from you. This would be more likely if your cat tends to do it more when you have not been giving it much attention and if you give it more attention when it circles you.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
If your cat has always circled you
If your cat has not always circled you a lot, it would help to consider what else happened when it first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it could be due to something causing it to start feeling anxious or a change in its environment.
What is different when your cat circles you
If your cat seems to circle you more at a certain time, it would also help to consider what is different about the timing. For example, if it tends to do it just before you have left home, the cause would be more likely to be that it has some separation anxiety. Whereas, if it does it when you arrive home, it could be the case that your cat is seeing if you have food.
What to do about your cat circling you
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Redirect its focus
One option would be to redirect your cat’s focus whenever it seems likely to start circling you. Things to redirect its focus towards could include toys or to sit in a spot that it likes.
Feed it at a similar time
Another option would be to try to feed it at around the same time daily. By doing so, it should result in your cat knowing when to expect food and to circle you for food less.
Let it do it
It is not unusual for cats to touch and circle their owners a lot. If your cat has not been behaving unusual in other ways, it would be likely to be normal behavior. The easiest option would be to let your cat continue doing it.
Why does my cat circle my legs?
Your cat might circle your legs for any of the reasons mentioned above. It would help to consider the timing of when your cat tends to do it since the timing will likely have a lot to do with it.