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Why is my cat suddenly running away from me?

If your cat has suddenly started running away from you, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about it.

So, why is my cat suddenly running away from me? Likely reasons why your cat is suddenly running away from you are a change in your cat’s environment causing it to be anxious, a change in how you have been interacting with it, injury or someone else mistreating it.

There are a number of possible reasons why your cat runs away from you and it might be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are some things you can consider when figuring out the main cause and there are things you can do about it.

Why is my cat suddenly running away from me?

Below are likely reasons why your cat is suddenly running away from you and what would make them more likely.

A change in its environment

The cause could be that a change in your cat’s environment has been causing it to get anxious. This would be more likely if your cat has been doing it since not being able to stay in a certain room, you got a new pet, there have been new noises or since you moved homes. In this case, it would help to limit reasons why it might be anxious, in its environment, such as by letting it stay in a different room.

A change in how you have been interacting with it

The cause could also be that you have been interacting with it differently. This would be more likely if your cat started running away since you started petting it differently, being louder around it or approaching it more boldly.

The cause might also be that you accidentally hurt it such as by stepping on its tail. In this case, it should become more comfortable around you over time.

Injury

It might also be the case that your cat has gotten an injury that has been causing it to feel vulnerable. This would be more likely if it has started showing other signs of being injured suddenly such as not moving around as much or walking unusually. In this case, it would help to take it to a vet.

Someone else mistreating it

It could also be the case that it has been feeling anxious due to someone else mistreating it. This would be more likely if it started doing it since someone was mean to it.

Things to consider

Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main reason why your cat has been doing it.

What else happened when your cat first started running away from you

It would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started running away from you. For example, if your cat started doing it since you got a new pet, the new pet could be causing your cat to feel anxious. Whereas, if it did it since moving home, the cause would be likely to be that the new environment is causing it to be anxious.

What is different when your cat does not run away from you

If your cat does not always run away from you, it would also help to consider what is different when it does run away. For example, if it does it when there are loud noises inside the house, it could be the case that the noises are causing it to be anxious.

What to do about my cat suddenly running away from me?

Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.

Get help

If your cat has been being very anxious or it seems like it is due to injury, the best option would be to take it for a checkup. By doing so, you should be able to get expert advice tailored towards your particular cat and to rule out medical causes.

Avoid intimidating it

As mentioned above, it could be the case that your actions have been intimidating it. Instead, it would help to try to be calm around it, to move slowly around it and to pet it gently.

Reward it when it does not run away

It would also likely help to encourage your cat not to run away by rewarding it whenever it shows signs of not running away. Ways to reward it could include giving it positive attention and cat treats.

Limit reasons why it might be anxious

It would also help to limit reasons why it might be anxious with its environment. A way to do so could include letting it stay in a cool and quiet part of the house where it can be away from other pets.