A cat will often jump on your back when you are resting or sleeping. This can be annoying if you are trying to get some sleep or you are trying to rest. So why does your cat jump on your back and why does it seem to enjoy it? This post will show you likely causes and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat jump on my back? Likely reasons why your cat jumps on your back are that it likes sitting on your shoulders, it feels safer on you, it is playing, or that it wants attention from you.
There are a number of possible reasons why your cat jumps on your back and it might be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are some things you can consider when figuring out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Reasons why your cat jumps on your back
Below are likely causes and what would make each of them more likely.
It wants to sit on your shoulders
The reason why your cat has been doing it is likely to be that it wants to sit on your shoulders. This would be more likely if it tends to sit on your shoulders more when you are sat down on the couch.
It feels safer there
Another possible cause is that sitting on you makes your cat feel safer. This would be more likely if your cat tends to do it more when other animals are around or when there is something else that might be causing it to feel anxious.
It is playing
It could also be the case that it is playing. This would be more likely if it does it when it is full of energy and if it does it when it is playing with other things as well.
It wants something
Another possible reason is that it wants something from you. This would be more likely if your cat jumps on your shoulders more at a certain time such as before you have fed it in the morning.
It wants attention
It could be the case that your cat has been jumping on you in order to get extra attention from you. This would be more likely if it tends to do it when you have not been giving it much attention and if you tend to give it extra attention when it does it.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main reason why your cat has been doing it.
If your cat has always jumped on your back
If your cat did not jump on your back in the past, it would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it might be the case that there was an event that caused it to start such as a change in its environment causing it to become anxious.
What else is different when your cat jumps on your back
It would also help to consider the timing of when your cat jumps on your back. For example, if it does it when you are sat down on the couch, the cause is likely to be that it wants to sit on your shoulders.
The body language it shows
It would also help to consider the body language your cat shows when it does it. If it does things such as purr or knead on you, when it jumps on you, it is likely being affectionate. Whereas, if it shows signs of being anxious such as by running up to you when there is a loud noise, the cause is more likely to be due to anxiety and feeling safer on you.
What to do about your cat jumping on your back
Below are options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Avoid encouraging it
One option would be to avoid giving your cat things it wants when it tries to jump on your back and to get it off you when it does it. Eventually, your cat should learn that jumping on your back will not result in it getting rewards.
Give it another place to sit
Another option would be to give your cat other places where it can sit. Perhaps you could try putting a cat bed down for it to sit in.
Give it distractions
If it seems to be doing it because it is playing, another option would be to give it distractions such as toys so that it is less likely to want to jump on you.