If your cat looks away when you look at it, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat look away when I look at it? The most likely reason why your cat looks away, when you look at it, is that staring is considered as being an act of aggression and your cat is trying to avoid confrontation.
There are a number of possible causes and it could be due to a combination of them. 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 does my cat look away when I look at it?
Below are likely causes and what would make each of them more likely.
It does not want to be bothered
A part of the cause could be that your cat does not want to be bothered. This would be more likely if your cat stops looking at you when it is trying to sleep or when it is lying down but it would be less likely if your cat does it in situations such as when you are petting it.
Submission
Prolonged eye contact is considered as an aggressive act and your cat is likely looking away because it is showing that it is not aggressive. This would be more likely if your cat does it in situations such as when you are petting it.
Intimidation
The cause could also be that your cat feels intimidated. This would be more likely if your cat also does things such as move away from you and hide.
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 always looked away when you look at it
If your cat did not always look away when you looked at it, it would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started looking away. If your cat started looking away suddenly, it could be due to things such as a change in the way you look at it or a change in your body language around it.
What is different when your cat does not look away
If your cat does not always look away, it would also help to consider what is different when your cat does not look away. If it only seems to look away when it is trying to sleep, it would be more likely that your cat does not want to be bothered.
What to do about your cat looking away when you look at it
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Limit reasons why it might be anxious
If your cat seems to have been avoiding eye contact with you because it is anxious, it would help to limit reasons why it might be anxious. One way to do so would be to let it stay in a quiet part of the house where it can be safe from other pets and people.
Avoid being intimidating
It would also help to avoid intimidating it by being calm and gentle with your cat.
Leave it alone
It is not uncommon for cats to look away when you look at them and it is likely natural behavior. The easiest option would likely be to let your cat continue doing it and to not bother it when it is trying to sleep.
Why does my cat avoid eye contact?
The most likely reason why your cat avoids eye contact is that staring is considered as an act of aggression and your cat is trying to not appear threatening.
Why does my cat look away when I stare at it?
Staring is considered as an act of aggression in the animal world. Your cat likely looks away to avoid appearing threatening.
Why does my cat stare at me then run away?
Your cat might stare at you then run away because it is playing. However, it could also be the case that it feels threatened by you maintaining eye contact with it.
Why does my cat stare at me from afar?
Your cat might stare at you from afar because it is waiting to see what you are going to do or because your cat wants you to feed it.