If your cat has been wrapping its paws around you a lot, this post will show you likely causes and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat wrap its paws around me? Likely reasons why your cat wraps its paws around you are that it wants attention, it is being affectionate, it is anxious, or that it is playing.
There are actually a number of possible reasons why your cat wraps its paws around you and it might be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are a number of things you can consider to help figure out the main cause.
Reasons why your cat wraps its paws around you
Below are likely causes and what would make them more likely.
It wants attention
The cause could be that it is trying to get extra attention from you. This would be more likely if it does it more when you have not been giving it much attention and if you tend to give it more attention when it does it.
Instead, it would help to give it attention throughout the day but to avoid rewarding it with attention when it behaves in a way that you do not like.
It wants something
The cause might also be that it wants something from you. This would be more likely if it does it more before you have given it things such as in the morning before you have fed it.
It is playing
Cats will often wrap their paws around you when they are playing and it might be why your cat has been doing it. This would be more likely if your cat also does things such as roll around when it wraps its paws around you.
Anxiety
Another possible cause could be that it is feeling insecure. This would be more likely if it does it at times where it might be feeling insecure such as when there is thunder and lightning, sirens, or construction works outside.
It might also be the case that it has been doing it due to having some separation anxiety. Having separation anxiety would be more likely if it tends to do it more at around the same time that you usually leave home and if it starts showing other signs of being anxious.
Affection
The cause could just be that it is being affectionate. This would be more likely if it does it at a time such as when you are petting it and if it also does things such as purr.
Things to consider
Below are some things you can consider to help figure out the main cause.
If your cat has always wrapped its paws around you
If your cat did not always wrap its paws around your arms, it would help to consider what else happened when it first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it could be due to things such as learning that it gets rewarded or something causing it to be anxious.
What is different when your cat does not wrap its paws around you
If your cat seems to be doing it more at a certain time, it would also help to consider the timing. For example, if it tends to do it before you have given it food in the morning, it might be trying to tell you to feed it.
What to do about your cat wrapping its paws around you
Below are some things you can do about the behavior.
Redirect its focus
It would also help to try to redirect its focus onto something else when it seems likely to wrap its paws around your arm. Things that you could redirect its focus onto would include toys.
Let it do it
If your cat seems to be doing it because it is being affectionate and it does not scratch you, another option would be to let your cat continue doing it.