If your cat keeps sitting next to you, you might be wondering why and what you can do about it. This post will show you a number of possible causes and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat sit next to me? Possible reasons why your cat sits next to you are that it makes your cat feel safer, your cat is anxious, it wants something from you, your cat is being affectionate or that it likes the particular spot.
Your cat might be doing it for a number of possible reasons and it might be due to a combination of causes. However, there are some things you can consider when figuring out the main cause and there are a number of things you can do about it.
Why does my cat sit next to me?
Below are a number of possible reasons why your cat has been sitting next to you and what would make each of them more likely to be the main cause.
If feels safer
A possible cause is that sitting next to 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.
Related: Why does my cat sit between my feet?
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 next to you at around the same time that you would normally go out.
Related: Why does my cat sit against me?
It wants 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 is being affectionate
Another possible cause is that your cat is just being affectionate. This would be more likely if it purrs when it sits next to you and it gets you to pet it.
It likes the particular spot
It might also be the case that your cat has been doing it because it likes the particular spot next to where you tend to sit. This would be more likely if your cat sits next to you when you sit in a specific spot and if your cat tends to sit there when you are not sat there.
Things to consider about your cat sitting next to you
Below are some things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your cat has been sitting next to you.
If it has always sat next to you a lot
If your cat has not always sat next to you a lot, it would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started doing it. If your cat started doing it suddenly, it could be the case that it started because something caused it to become anxious or because it learned that it is comfortable to sit next to you.
What is different when your cat does not sit next to you
It would also help to consider if there is a certain time that your cat tends to sit next to you. For example, if your cat tends to do it before you have left home, the cause could be that it has some separation anxiety.
What to do about your cat sitting next to you
Below are a number of options you have when dealing with the behavior.
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.
Let it do it
If your cat does not seem to be doing it due to any issues, another option would be to simply let your cat continue doing it.
Why has my cat suddenly started sitting next to me?
If your cat has started sitting next to you suddenly, it could be the case that something has caused it to start getting anxious when it is not with you. Another possible cause is that it learned that next to you is comfortable or that it gets rewards for sitting next to you such as attention.
Why does my cat sit next to me and stare?
If your cat sits next to you and stares, it would be more likely to be because it is waiting to get something from you. This would be especially likely if it tends to do it more before you have fed it.
Why does my cat sit next to me when I eat?
If your cat only sits next to you when you eat, it would be more likely that it wants some of your food or because it wants to be fed. This would be more likely if it does it more when you are eating something that it likes such as fish.
Why does my cat sit next to me when I bathe?
If your cat sits next to you when you are in the bath, it might be the case that your cat just feels safer when it is around you. This would be more likely if your cat tends to also sit next to you in other places as well.
Why does my cat sit next to me and purr?
If your cat sits next to you and purrs, the cause would be more likely that it feels safer when it is sat next to you and that it is being affectionate.
Why does my cat sit next to me when I sleep?
If your cat sits next to you when you sleep, the cause could be that your cat feels safer when it is around you, it has some separation anxiety, or because it likes the particular spot next to where you sleep.
Why will my cat sit next to me but not sit on my lap?
The reason why your cat sits next to you but not on your lap is likely to be because your cat finds it more comfortable sitting next to you. If it sits on your lap, it has to move when you move. Whereas, if it sits next to you, it can move when it wants to.