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Why does my cat put its paw on me?

If your cat often puts its paw on you, this post will show you why and what you can do about it.

So, why does my cat put its paw on me? Possible reasons why your cat puts its paw on you are that it wants you to stop petting it, it is showing you affection, it is spreading its scent on to you, or that it is kneading and showing pleasure.

Your cat might actually be putting its paw on you for a number of possible reasons and it could be due to a combination of them. However, there are some things you can consider when figuring out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.

Why does my cat put its paw on me?

Below are a number of possible causes and what would make each of them more likely to be the main reason.

It wants you to stop petting it

If your cat puts its paw on you while you are petting it, the cause might be 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.

It is showing affection to you

If your cat does it when you are petting it, 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.

It could also be the case that your cat is showing you affection if it puts its paw on you when you are not petting it. This would also be more likely if it shows positive body language such as purring or kneading.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddxrEWm709Y

It wants something

It could also be the case that it does it because it wants something from you. This would be more likely if your cat does it before getting fed and less afterward.

Related: Why does my cat put its paw on my face?

It wants you to pet it differently

Another possible reason is that your cat wants you to pet it differently. This would be more likely if your cat puts its paw on you when you pet it in a certain way. Often, cats do this when people are petting their heads and backs but they actually want their chin to be rubbed.

Kneading

Another possible cause is that your cat is actually kneading which is where it presses its paws into you and pats you with its paws and claws repeatedly. This would be more likely if your cat does it when it is sat on or next to you and if it shows signs of being happy when doing it such as by purring.

It’s spreading its scent on to you

Cats have sweat glands on their paws. The reason why your cat puts its paws on you could be that it is spreading its scent on to you. This would be more likely if your cat also rubs itself against you when it does it.

Things to consider about your cat pawing you

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

If your cat has not always put its paw on you, 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 because it became more comfortable around you.

What is different when your cat does not put its paw on you

If your cat tends to do it more in specific situations, it would also help to consider what is different about the timing. 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 it does 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 petting it. 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, it’s rubbing its scent on to you or that it is being affectionate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzuhuaeS0aQ&ab_channel=JacksonGalaxy

What to do about your cat putting its paw on you

Below are some things you can do about it.

Pet it correctly

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.

Let it do it

It is not uncommon for cats to put their paws on their owners. If your cat has been showing positive body language when doing it, it would likely be ok to allow your cat to continue doing it.