Do you often find your cat friend following you for no apparent reason? Even though circling may seem like harmless behavior, it can be a sign of several problems, such as health problems or bad habits.
As a responsible cat owner, you should know why your cat might be following you around and around. By learning about these possible reasons, you can give your furry friend the care and attention they need to be happy and healthy.
Here are eight reasons why your cat might be circling you:
1. Your Cat Wants To Have Your Attention
Your cat runs around you in circles to get your attention. At first, your cat rubbing its body against you and going in circles may seem strange, but it’s a sign that it likes and wants to be with you. Cats mark their territory by leaving their scent on you and claiming you as their own. So, when your cat acts this way, it wants your attention and is happy to be around you.
It’s important to know that this is normal for domestic cats and a way to show how much they love their owner. So instead of finding it weird or annoying, embrace it and show your cat some love and affection. You can teach your cat to do this again and build a stronger bond with it if you treat it or play with it more.
Cats are independent creatures, so when they choose to show affection, it’s a special moment that should be cherished. So, the next time your cat circles around you or rubs its body against your leg, stop and think about how much love and happiness they are showing you.
2. Your Cat Wants To Communicate With You
If your cat keeps running around you, it might be trying to tell you something important. This could be because your cat wants to show you something, like a dirty litter box or the need to be fed. This is known as “herding.” Your cat instructs you to investigate something. Your cat may also meow or purr as it runs around you, another sign that it wants your attention.
But what if your cat has already been fed and the litter box is clean? They might be trying to tell you something else that’s bothering them. Cats have good senses and often notice things we humans might miss. They are letting you know that something is wrong. They may have heard a strange sound or seen an animal they don’t know.
When your cat runs circles around you, it’s essential to consider how it acts. Even though it might look like a joke, they might be trying to tell you something important. So, take the time to figure out what your cat may be trying to say to you and fix any problems you find. By doing this, you will not only get closer to your cat friend, but you will also make sure they are healthy and happy.
3. Your Cat May Have Cognitive Dysfunction Or Low Blood Sugar
If your cat keeps returning to you, it could indicate a health problem like cognitive dysfunction or low blood sugar. Mental issues are common in older cats, especially those over 15. Cats with cognitive dysfunction may be confused and take longer to react, just like more senior citizens. As cats age, it gets more challenging for them to remember things, so you may find them lying near the litter box.
They may circle you to figure out what to do or just because they don’t know what to do. Hypoglycemia, or having low blood sugar, can also make cats feel lost. If your cat has hypoglycemia, it might circle to tell you something is wrong. Keep track of changes in your cat’s behavior and take them to the vet if you think they might be sick.
If your cat keeps coming back to you, it’s essential to watch how it acts and look for other signs of illness. It could just be that your cat wants to share something with you, but it’s better to be safe and talk to a vet to ensure no health problems.
4. Your Cat May Want To Greet You
One of the main reasons your cat might be circling you is because it’s happy to see you. When you come home and call your cat by name, it may show how comfortable it is by meowing, putting its tail up, and pointing in your direction, among other things.
Your cat may rub its head against your legs and slowly roll onto its back. This is a sign that it is happy and wants attention. These sounds and actions are the best ways to tell if your cat likes you and wants your attention. As a cat owner, you may also notice that your cat wants to be seen and has time for some light petting from you.
Your cat will stop going around and around once it gets the attention or treats it wants. But it’s essential to remember that how a cat greets another cat depends on its personality and mood. When cats circle, it’s a sign of affection and a way to show their owners that they like being around them.
5. Your Cat May Have Head Injuries
Head trauma is bad for cats and can happen in many ways. Your cat could get a sudden blow to the head in a car accident if it falls from a high place, hits a hard object like a wall, or is pounded hard by another animal during a fight. Like people, cats can get concussions when they hit their heads, which can cause pain and confusion.
If your cat’s head has been hurt, it may start walking in circles and have trouble getting up. In some situations, it may also have difficulty speaking correctly. If your cat shows any of these signs, you must take it to a vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment. The vet might suggest getting an X-ray to see if the head is hurt.
Some people walk in circles because they have a brain tumor. This can be a severe problem that needs medical help right away. Cancer can cause many symptoms, such as loss of appetite, an inability to move well, and seizures. If your cat shows any of these signs, it’s essential to get them to a vet immediately.
6. Your Cat May Be Trying To Be Dominating
Your cat may be trying to show you who’s boss and tell you where to walk. Cats like to show their owners who is boss, and they might circle you to stop you from moving and let you know they are in a playful mood. They might even arch their backs and puff out their tails to look more robust. This makes it hard for cat owners to move around the house without tripping over their furry friend, which can be frustrating.
Playtime is another time your cat might circle to show who is in charge. If you play with your cat by giving it a toy or chasing it around, it may try to control the game by going in circles around you. They might also stop and start meowing or rubbing against your legs to get your attention and show who the boss is.
It’s important to remember that cats may act like they’re in charge, but they don’t always have the same social hierarchy as other animals, like dogs. Cats may also work this way because they feel playful or affectionate, not because they try to show their owner who the boss is.
7. Your Cat May Have Health Problems Like Vestibular Disease
When your beloved cat has vestibular disease, it can be tough to watch, and it can also be terrifying for the cat. You might notice your cat acting strangely, tilting its head to one side, moving its eyes quickly, or stumbling around like it’s drunk. If your cat has vestibular disease, it can make them feel lost and dizzy, making them walk in circles.
Sometimes, they may feel sick and lose their appetite or throw up. Different things, like infections, head injuries, tumors, and even some medicines, can cause vestibular disease. Although it is more common in older cats, it can also occur in younger cats. Even though you and your cat might be scared, the good news is that many cats recover from vestibular disease with the proper care.
Your vet might give your cat medicine or suggest special exercises to help it get its balance and coordination back. If your cat is walking in circles or acting strangely, you should take them to the vet to ensure they don’t have a health problem like a vestibular disease.
8. Your Cat May Have High Blood Pressure Or An Ear Infection
If you think your cat has high blood pressure or an ear infection, you must take them to the vet as soon as possible. Hypertension can send too much blood to your cat’s brain, making it confused and unable to stand up straight. This can cause your cat to walk around in circles and act stupid and clumsy. Hypertension is closely linked to renal failure, and older cats are most likely to get it.
Ear infections are another health problem that can make your cat walk around in circles. Different bacteria or ear mites can cause infections in the outer ear, which can cause redness, itching, swelling, and drainage from the ear. If the infection isn’t taken care of, it can spread to the inner ear and cause severe otitis interna. Otitis interna can cause your eyes to feel dry, your mouth to drip saliva, you to lose your balance, throw up, and your pupils to be different sizes.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, your cat might be walking in circles around you for several reasons. It’s essential to pay attention to their behavior and any symptoms that come with it. This will determine if they’re looking for love or attention or if something’s wrong with them and they need a vet immediately.
As a responsible cat owner, it’s important to remember that diseases like vestibular problems, ear infections, high blood pressure, and low blood sugar can be hazardous. Other issues include head trauma, brain tumors, and other injuries. If you don’t treat these problems, they can be life-threatening or even kill you. You must call a vet immediately if you see these things happening.
Being a responsible cat owner and paying attention to any changes ensures your furry friend stays happy and healthy for years.
