If your cat has been cuddling you a lot, this post will show you why and what you can do about it.
So, why does my cat cuddle me? Likely reasons why your cat cuddles you are that it makes your cat feel safer, it is being affectionate and that it likes the feeling.
There are actually a number of possible reasons why your cat cuddles you and it could be due to a combination of them. However, there are a number of things you can consider to help figure out the main cause and there are a number of things you can do about it.
Why does my cat cuddle me?
Below are likely reasons why your cat has been doing it and what would make them more likely.
Your cat feels safer
A likely cause is that your cat feels safer when it is around you and that cuddling with you makes your cat feel safer. This would be even more likely if your cat tends to do it more at around the same time that your cat might be feeling insecure such as when there are loud noises inside the house and if your cat also tends to follow you around the house as well.
Your cat is waiting for something from you
It might also be the case that your cat does it because it is waiting to see when it is going to get something from you. This would be more likely if your cat tends to do it more before things such as getting food in the morning.
Something is causing your cat to be anxious
Another possible cause is that your cat has some separation anxiety and it wants to know when you are leaving. This would be more likely if your cat cuddles you more at around the same time that you would normally leave home or when you go to bed if you do not let it sleep in the same room as you.
It could also be the case that there is something happening around the house that causes your cat to become anxious. This would be more likely if your cat cuddles you more at a certain time such as when there are loud noises in the house or other pets or people around that it does not like.
Your cat is being affectionate
It is also likely that your cat cuddles you because it is being affectionate. This would be more likely if your cat also purrs and kneads, when it cuddles you, and if it also does things such as get you to pet it.
Your cat is rubbing its scent onto you
A part of the cause could also be that it is marking its scent on you. By doing so, it will help to keep your cat safer by letting other animals know that you are a part of its territory.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
If your cat has always cuddled you
If your cat did not always cuddle with you, it would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started doing it since it could be the case that there was an event that caused your cat to start. If your cat started doing it suddenly, it could be due to things such as something causing it to get anxious, a change in its environment or a change in its daily routine.
Alternatively, it might be the case that it has started doing it because it has become more comfortable around you which would be more likely if you have not had your cat for long.
The timing of when your cat cuddles you
If your cat tends to cuddle you more at a certain time, it would also help to consider what is different about the timing. For example, if your cat cuddles you when in bed with you at night, the cause could be that your cat finds it comfortable to cuddle you and that it makes your cat feel safer. If your cat does not sleep with you at night and it cuddles you before you go to bed, the cause could be due to separation anxiety.
What to do about your cat cuddling you
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Let it do it
If your cat seems to have been cuddling you because it makes your cat feel safer or because it is being affectionate, the easiest option would be to let your cat continue doing it.
If you do not like your cat cuddling you, you could also move it to a different spot whenever your cat tries to do it. Repeating the process should result in your cat eventually learning that cuddling you is not rewarded.
Limit reasons why it might be anxious
If your cat seems to have been cuddling you due to something causing it to be anxious, it would also help to limit reasons why it might be anxious. One way to do so would be to let it stay in a quiet part of the house where there is a safe spot for it to sleep in.
If your cat seems to have been doing it because you make it feel safer, another option would be to give your cat other places to sit that is in a safe spot and to encourage your cat to sit there when it tries to cuddle you. Usually, cats prefer spots that are high up because it can protect them from potential predators.
Why does my cat cuddle my face?
Likely reasons why your cat cuddles your face are that it simply likes the feeling, you make it feel safer, or that it is trying to get your attention because it wants something from you.
Why does my cat cuddle my head?
It is likely that your cat cuddles your head because it makes your cat feel safer. However, it might also be the case that it is trying to get you to give it something or it is supporting its weight if it does it when you are holding it.
Why does my cat cuddle my legs?
It is likely that your cat cuddles your legs because it makes your cat feel safer and because it likes the feeling. It might also be the case that your cat does it because something is causing it to feel anxious.
Why does my cat cuddle my neck?
If your cat cuddles your neck when you are holding it, the cause is likely to be that it is supporting its weight. Whereas, if your cat does it at other times, the cause is likely to be due to feeling safer.
Why does my cat cuddle my hand?
If your cat cuddles your hand when you are petting it, the cause could be that your cat is playing which would be more likely if your cat also rolls around and bites your hand. If your cat cuddles your hand at other times, the cause is likely to be security.
Why does my cat cuddle my stomach?
Your cat likely cuddles your stomach because it makes your cat feel safer and because it likes the feeling.