If your cat has been ignoring you, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat ignore me? Likely reasons why your cat ignores you are that it does not want to be bothered, illness, depression, it does not understand what you are saying, or naturally being aloof.
There are a number of possible reasons why your cat has been ignoring you and it might be due to a combination of reasons. 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.
Why does my cat ignore me?
Below are likely reasons why your cat ignores you and what would make them more likely.
It does not want to be bothered
The cause could be that your cat does not want to be bothered. This would be more likely if your cat ignores you when you try to get attention from it while it is trying to sleep. In this case, it would help to wait until it naturally feels more lively to get attention from it.
Illness
Another possible cause is that it has gotten an illness that has been causing your cat to feel fatigued. This would be more likely if your cat has started doing it suddenly and if it has been showing other signs of being ill. In this case, it would help to take it to a vet for a checkup.
Problems with its hearing
Another possible cause is that your cat has been having trouble with its hearing due to things such as an injury in its ears. This would be more likely if your cat has started ignoring you suddenly but it does not try to avoid you and it does come and give you attention sometimes. Again, in this case, the best option would be to take it to a vet.
Nature
The cause could also be that your cat is naturally aloof which is not uncommon in cats. This would be more likely if your cat has always behaved that way but it does show you some affection when you come and pet it.
It does not understand what you are saying
If your cat ignores you, when you try to speak to it, the cause is likely to be that it does not understand what you are saying. This would be more likely if your cat ignores you in situations such as when you are calling it to come inside.
Old age
Another possible cause is that your cat has been doing it due to old age which has caused your cat to get more tired and to have a harder time hearing you. This would be more likely if your cat has gradually started to ignore you more as it got older.
A lack of trust
It might also be the case that your cat has learned that listening to you does not result in it getting what it wants. For example, if you have been tapping its food bowl, to get it to come inside, when it is not time for food, it will quickly learn not to listen.
Depression
Cats are also able to become depressed and it could be why your cat has been ignoring you. This would be more likely if your cat has started doing it since an event such as another cat or owner dying or leaving.
It does not like how you interact with it
Another possible cause is that your cat does not like the way you interact with it. This would be more likely if you do things such as pet your cat firmly when it does give you attention.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
If your cat has always ignored you
If your cat did not always ignore you, it would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started ignoring you. If your cat started doing it suddenly, it might be the case that it got an illness or an ear injury, depression, or learning that doing what you say results in it getting what it does not want.
What is different when your cat does not ignore you
If your cat does not always ignore you, it would also help to consider what is different when your cat does not ignore you. For example, if it does not ignore you in the morning or evening, it could be because it is naturally more lively at those times.
What to do about your cat ignoring you
Below are some options you have when dealing with your cat ignoring you.
Get help
If your cat seems like it has been doing it due to a problem with its ears, it would help to take it to a vet. By doing so, you should be able to get expert help tailored towards your particular cat and to deal with medical causes.
Let it sleep
If your cat seems to be ignoring you because it does not want to be bothered while it is trying to sleep, it would help to let it sleep and to try to get attention from it when it is awake.
Give it positive attention
It would also help to encourage your cat to give you attention by giving your cat positive attention, throughout the day, yourself. Ways to do so would be to pet it gently and to play with it.
Why is my cat ignoring me all of a sudden?
If your cat has started ignoring you suddenly, it would be more likely to be due to things such as injury, illness or depression. It might also be due to things such as learning that listening to you results in it getting something that it does not want.
Why does my cat ignore me when I call it?
The reason why your cat ignores you when you call it is likely to be that it does not understand what you are saying or that it has learned that listening to you results in it getting things it does not want. Instead, it would help to give it rewards when it does listen to you and to avoid giving it things that it does not want when it listens.
Why does my cat ignore me when I have been away?
If your cat ignores you when you have been away, it could be the case that your cat is naturally aloof or that it thinks you do not want it to give you attention.
Why does my cat ignore me sometimes?
The reason why your cat ignores you sometimes could be that your cat does not want to be bothered when it is trying to sleep. Alternatively, the cause could be that there are things that distract your cat sometimes such as noises or other cats in the area.
Why does my cat ignore me when I cry?
Your cat might ignore you when you cry because it does not think you want attention from it or because it does not understand that you are upset.
Why does my cat ignore me when I come home?
The reason why your cat ignores you when you come home could be that your cat is tired and trying to sleep, it is naturally aloof or that it thinks you do not want it to give you attention.
Why does my cat ignore me outside?
Your cat likely ignores you outside due to all the distractions in its environment.
Why does my cat ignore me after eating?
Your cat likely gives you more attention before eating because it wants you to feed it and less attention after because it is no longer hungry and it is now time for it to sleep.
Why does my cat avoid me?
Your cat might avoid you because it gets intimidated by the way you interact with it, it is naturally timid, or because there is actually something else in the environment that your cat is trying to avoid.