If your cat has been standing on your feet a lot, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat stand on my feet? Likely reasons why your cat stands on your feet are that it is trying to get your attention because it wants something from you, it is spreading its scent onto you and that it makes your cat feel safer.
There are a number of possible reasons why your cat stands on your feet and it might be due to a combination of reasons. However, the most likely reason will change depending on the context, but there are some things you can consider to help figure out the main cause.
Why does my cat stand on my feet?
Below are likely reasons why your cat stands on your feet and what would make each of them more likely to be the main reason.
Your cat feels safer
A likely reason why your cat stands on your feet is that it makes your cat feel safer. This would be more likely if your cat does not seem to be trying to get attention from you, when it stands on your feet, if it does it at random times and if it also does things such as follow you from room to room even after being fed.
Your cat wants something from you
Another likely cause is that your cat wants something from you. This would be more likely if your cat also meows to get your attention when it does it and if it tends to do it more at a certain time such as just before you have fed it or when it wants to go outside.
Your cat is showing you affection
It might also be the case that your cat is showing you affection and that it trusts you since cats will only come and stand on the feet of people that they trust. This would be more likely if your cat also does things such as purr and get you to pet it when it stands on your feet.
Your cat is spreading its scent onto you
Another possible cause is that your cat is spreading its scent onto you. This would be more likely if it also does things such as rub itself on you when it stands on your foot. By rubbing its scent onto you, it will help your cat to claim its territory and to make predators or other cats less likely to try to claim its territory.
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 stood on your feet
If your cat has not always stood on your feet, it would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it could actually be a sign that your cat has become more comfortable around you. It could also be due to things such as a change in its environment.
The timing of when your cat stands on your feet
It would also help to consider if there is a certain time that your cat tends to stand on your feet. If it tends to stand on your feet at a certain time, it could be the case that the timing has something to do with it. For example, if it tends to do it first thing in the morning, it would be more likely that it is trying to tell you to feed it.
What to do about my cat standing on my feet?
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Let it do it
If your cat does not bother you, when it stands on your feet, and it seems to be doing it because it makes your cat feel safer, the easiest option would be to allow your cat to continue doing it.
Give it what it wants
If it seems to be doing it because it wants something from you, one option would be to give it what it wants such as by feeding it earlier than usual.
Give it attention
If your cat also seems to be doing it just for attention from you, another option would be to give it attention throughout the day by petting it and playing with it so that it is less likely to feel the need to get extra attention from you.
Give it distractions
Another option would be to give your cat things to be distracted by, such as with toys, so that it is less likely to try to get attention from you.