If your cat sits in front of you, this post will show you a number of likely reasons why and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat sit in front of me? Likely reasons why your cat sits in front of you are that it wants attention, separation anxiety, it is waiting for something from you, it feels safer there, or that it likes a particular spot.
There are a number of possible reasons why your cat sits in front of 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 cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Reasons why your cat sits in front of you
Below are likely causes and what would make them more likely.
It wants attention
The cause could be that it wants attention from you. This would be more likely if it rubs itself against you, when it sits in front of you, and it also does things such as get you to pet it and purr.
Separation anxiety
It could be the case that your cat has some separation anxiety. This is where it does not like being left alone and the prospect of being left alone causes it to get anxious. This would be more likely if it sits in front of you at around the same time that you would normally go out.
It feels safer
A possible cause is that sitting in front of 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 waiting for something
Another possible cause is that your cat is waiting to get something from you. This would be more likely if your cat tends to sit there before you have given it food and it does not do it after.
It likes the particular spot
It might also be the case that your cat has been doing it because it likes the particular spot in front of where you tend to sit. This would be more likely if your cat sits in front of you when you sit in a specific spot and if your cat tends to sit there when you are not sat there.
Affection
Another possible cause is that your cat is just being affectionate. This would be more likely if it purrs when it sits in front of you and it gets you to pet 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 sat in front of you
If your cat did not always sit in front of you, it would help to consider what else happened when it first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it might be due to things such as something causing it to get anxious without you or learning that it likes the particular spot.
What is different when your cat does not sit in front of you
It would also help to consider the timing of when your cat sits in front of you. If your cat does it more at a certain time, it might be the case that the timing has something to do with it. For example, if your cat tends to do it before you have left home, the cause could be that it has some separation anxiety. Whereas, if it does it before having been fed, it might be waiting for you to feed it.
What to do about your cat sitting in front of you
Below are a number of options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Let it do it
If your cat does not seem to be doing it due to any issues, one option would be to simply let your cat continue doing it.
Give it another place to sit
One 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.
Limit reasons why it might be anxious
It would help to limit reasons why your cat might get fearful when you are not around. Ways to do so could include letting your cat stay in a different room than your dog if you have one or letting your cat stay in a quieter room.