If your cat constantly wants you to pet it, 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 constantly want to be petted? Possible reasons why your cat constantly wants you to pet it are that it has separation anxiety, it has learned that the behavior is rewarded, fear, it wants something from you, or that it is naturally affectionate.
There are actually a number of possible reasons why your cat does it and it might be due to a combination of them. However, there are a number of 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 always want to be petted?
Below are a number of possible causes and what would make each of them more likely.
Separation anxiety
The cause could be that your cat has some separation anxiety. This is where your cat gets anxious when it is left alone. This would be more likely if your cat tends to get you to pet it more before you leave home.
Encouraging the behavior
It could also be the case that your cat has learned that the behavior gets rewarded. If you tend to give your cat extra attention when it asks to be petted, it will likely do it more.
Fear
Another possible cause is that something has been causing your cat to be fearful. This would be more likely if your cat does it more at a certain time such as when there are loud noises or when there is another pet around.
It wants something from you
Another possible cause is that your cat wants to get something from you. This would be more likely if it does it when you are eating something that it likes such as fish or if it does it more at around the same time that you normally give it food.
Nature
One likely reason why it does it is that it likes it when you pet it so it wants you to do it more. This would be more likely if it shows positive body language when you are petting it and when it is getting you to pet it.
Things to consider about your cat wanting you to pet it
Below are some things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your cat has been doing it.
If your cat has always wanted to be petted all the time
If your cat did not always want to be petted all the time, it would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started wanting to be petted a lot. If it started doing it suddenly, it might be due to things such as a change in its environment or because you stopped giving it as much attention.
What is different when your cat wants you to pet it
If your cat tends to want you to pet it more at a certain time, it would also help to consider what is different when it wants you to pet it. For example, if it does it before you have fed it, in the morning, it could actually be the case that it is waiting to get fed.
What to do about your cat wanting to be petted all the time
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Limit reasons why it might be anxious
It could be the case that it has been doing it due to being anxious. It would help to limit possible reasons why it might be anxious by doing things such as giving it access to the litter box and letting it stay where it wants to when you are away.
Give it attention throughout the day
It would also help to give it attention throughout the day so that it is less likely to do things to get you to give it attention.
Give it distractions
Another option would be to give it things to be distracted with such as toys. Doing so should help to reduce how much it gets you to pet it.
Why does my cat want to be petted a lot suddenly?
If your cat has started wanting you to pet it a lot suddenly, it could be due to a sudden change such as if you stopped giving it attention or there was another change in its environment.
Why does my cat ask to be petted?
Your cat might ask you to pet it for any of the reasons mentioned above. It would help to consider if there is anything special about the timing of when your cat gets you to pet it and what else changed when your cat first started behaving that way.
Why does my cat force me to pet it?
Your cat might force you to pet it for any of the reasons mentioned above. However, it would be more likely that your cat is doing it due to things such as wanting to be fed. It would help to consider if there is anything special about the timing of when your cat gets you to pet it and what else changed when your cat first started behaving that way.