You probably know that most cats are independent. But did you know there are actually many reasons why your cat runs away from you? This article will show you some of them, and how you can prevent them, so that you and your cat can live happily together.
So, why does my cat run away from me? Likely reasons why your cat runs away from you are that it is intimidated, it does not want to be bothered, or that it is playing.
There are actually a number of possible reasons why your cat runs away from you and it could be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are some things you can consider when figuring out the main cause and there some things you can do about it.
Why does my cat run away from me?
Below are likely reasons why your cat has been doing it and what would make them more likely.
Intimidation
The cause might be that you have been intimidating it. This would be more likely if it runs away from you when you interact with it in a certain way such as when you are loud or when you pet it firmly.
It does not want to be bothered
Another possible cause is that it does not want to be bothered. This would be more likely if it runs away when you approach it and it was trying to sleep. It would also be more likely if it goes back to sleep in the spot it runs away to.
Something in its environment
Another possible reason is that there is something in its environment that has been causing it to get anxious. This would be more likely if it tends to run away when there are loud noises inside or another pet around that it does not like.
It is playing
It could also be the case that it does it because it is playing. This would be more likely if your cat runs to you and then runs away when you try to interact with it. It would also be more likely if it does it more at a certain time such as in the early morning or late evening when cats are normally more alert.
It is not comfortable yet
If you have recently got your cat, it might not be the case that it has learned that it can feel comfortable around you. In this case, it should begin to improve after a few weeks.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
What else happened when your cat first started running away from you
If your cat has not always run away from you, it would help to consider what else happened when it first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it might be due to things such as a change in its environment or a change in how you have been interacting with it.
What is different when it does not run away from you
If your cat does not always run away from you, it would help to consider what is different when it does it. If it does it when you approach it quickly or loudly, the cause is likely to be that it is intimidated. Whereas, if it does it when it is running around the house, the cause is more likely to be that it is playing.
What to do about your cat running away from you
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Limit reasons why it might be anxious
If your cat seems to be doing it due to something causing it to be anxious, it would help to limit possible reasons why it is anxious. Ways to do so could include giving it a spot to sit in that is away from other pets and in a quiet part of the house.
Be calm with it
It could help to be calm with it and to pet it more gently and in a different manner. Generally, cats don’t like a full back rub and prefer to pet rubbed below the chin.
Get help
If your cat has been being very anxious, it would also help to take it to a vet 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.
Why does my cat run away from me outside?
The reason why your cat runs away from you when you are outside could be that your cat does not know why you are approaching it and it causes your cat to get intimidated or that your cat does not want to be bothered.
Why does my cat run away from me when I pick it up?
The reason why your cat runs away from you when you pick it up is likely to be that it does not like being picked up and that it causes your cat to become intimidated.
Why does my cat randomly run away from me?
It is likely that your cat randomly runs away from you because of a change in its environment and it would help to consider if there is actually a specific time that your cat does run away such as when there are loud noises inside.
Why does my cat run away from me when I come home?
The reason why your cat runs away from you when you come home could be that your cat wants to sleep without being bothered or that the way you approach it causes it to feel intimidated.
Why does my cat run away from me when playing?
If your cat runs away from you when playing, the cause is likely to be that your cat has decided that it is finished playing with you or that it gets intimidated by the way you play with it or touch it.
Why does my cat run away from me when I approach it?
If your cat runs away from you when you approach it, the most likely cause is that it does not like the way you are approaching it and it causes your cat to be intimidated. It could also be the case that your cat wants to be able to sleep without being bothered.