If your cat hugs you a lot, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat hug me? The most likely reason why your cat hugs you is that it is being affectionate and that you make it feel safer. If your cat hugs you when you are holding it, your cat is likely trying to support itself. Whereas, if your cat runs upto you and hugs you, it is likely playing.
There are actually a number of possible reasons why your cat hugs you and it could 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 things you can do about it.
Why does my cat hug me?
Below are likely reasons why your cat hugs you and what would make each of them more likely to be the main reason.
Your cat feels safer
A likely cause is that your cat feels safer when it is around you and that hugging 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. It would also be more likely to be the cause if your cat hugs you when sitting with you because it is choosing to be near you.
To help your cat support itself
If your cat holds onto you when you are holding it, such as in the picture at the top of this post, it would be more likely that your cat is doing it in order to support itself.
Your cat is waiting for something
Another possible reason is that your cat is waiting to get something from you. This would be more likely if your cat hugs you more at a certain time such as in bed before you have fed it 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 hugs 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 hugs 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 hugs you because it is being affectionate. This would be more likely if your cat also purrs and kneads, when it hugs you, and if it also does things such as get you to pet it.
Your cat is playing
If your cat runs up to you and hugs you, the most likely cause is that your cat is playing. This would also be more likely if it does it when it is running around the house, playing with toys or if it tends to do it in the early morning or late evening when cats tend to be more lively.
It could also be the case that your cat is playing if it hugs you when you are petting it. This would be more likely if your cat also rolls around and has lots of energy when it does 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 reason why your cat has been doing it.
If your cat has always hugged you
If your cat did not always hug you, it would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started doing it. If your cat started doing it suddenly, it might be the case that an event occurred that caused your cat to start doing it.
If your cat started hugging you suddenly, it might be due to things such as a change in the way you hold it, a change in the way you pet it or because something caused it to start getting anxious.
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 hugs you
If your cat tends to hug you more at a certain time, it would also help to consider what is different about the timing. For example, if your cat hugs you when in bed with you at night, the cause could be that your cat finds it comfortable to hug you and that it makes your cat feel safer. If your cat does not sleep with you at night and it hugs you before you go to bed, the cause could be due to separation anxiety.
What to do about my cat hugging me?
Below are some things you can do about your cat hugging you.
Let it do it
If your cat seems to have been hugging 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 hugging 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 hugging you is not rewarded.
Limit reasons why your cat might be anxious
If your cat seems to have been hugging 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.
Give your cat distractions
If your cat does it when it is playing, another option would be to give your cat distractions such as toys, when it seems to be lively.
Should I hug my cat?
Cats will usually become intimidated when people try to hug them. Even when they do not seem to be intimidated, they often are intimidated. Instead of hugging it, another option would be to pet your cat in a way that it likes and to observe its body language.
Why does my cat hug my arm?
If your cat hugs your arm when you are petting it, the cause is likely to be that your cat is playing. This would be especially likely if your cat also mouthes your arm, when it does it, and it latches onto your arm and does not let you take it away.
If your cat hugs your arm when you are not petting it, the cause could be that you make your cat feel safer.
Why does my cat hug my legs?
If your cat runs up to you and hugs your legs, it is likely that your cat is playing. If your cat does it at other times, the most likely cause is that you make your cat feel more secure.
Why does my cat hug my head?
There are a number of possible reasons why your cat hugs your head and it would help to consider the timing of when your cat tends to do it.
If your cat tends to hug your head, when sleeping with you at night, the cause could be that your cat finds it comfortable to sleep by hugging your head and that you make it feel safer. Whereas, if your cat tends to do it in the morning, the cause could be that it is trying to get you to get up and feed it.
If your cat hugs your head when you are holding it, the cause could be that your cat is trying to support its weight. Whereas, if your cat climbs onto your head and hugs it, the cause could be that it is trying to get away from something that is causing it to feel anxious.
Why does my cat hug my face?
A likely reason why your cat hugs your face is that it makes your cat feel more comfortable, which would be more likely if it does it when you are lying down. It could also be the case that it does it due to something causing it to feel anxious.
Why does my cat hug my hands?
It is likely that your cat hugs your hands because it is playing with you which would be more likely if it also rolls around and mouthes your hands.
Why does my cat hug my neck?
Your cat likely holds your neck to support itself, if your cat does it when you are holding it. If your cat does it at other times, it is likely that your cat is doing it because it feels safer.
Why does my cat hug my hands then bite me?
If your cat hugs your hands then bites you when you are petting it, the cause is likely to be that it has decided that it no longer wants you to pet it. It could also be the case that your cat is playing which would be more likely if it does not let you take your hand away.