Cats cannot talk and their verbal communication is something we humans cannot understand. The prime communication that cats indulge in includes using its paw and their meows. Cats are always mysterious and this is another area where we will try understanding why cats reach out to us with their paws. If you are wondering why does my cat paw at me, the discussion below should help you understand the reasons , and let you communicate with your cat more humanely.
Quick Answer
Cats reach out with paws normally for seeking your attention. It can either be for food or for simply love. They reach out the paws when they want to be petted or even when they want food. They may even want the door to be opened for them to go out. Whatever be the reason, reaching out with their paw is a benign gesture and clearly shows that the cat is comfortable with you.
Why Does My Cat Reach His Paw Out To Me?
When you notice your cat reaches out its paws to you, it can be indicative of the following reasons. Based on the context, you can find out the exact reasons why your cat reaches out its paws to you. If you want to know what does it mean when your cat paws at you, it is necessary to analyse multiple factors before you can reach a conclusion. Read on to know why do cats reach out to you.
Reason 1 – It just wants to show its affection
Wondering why does my cat touch me with his paw? Reaching out with paws and kneading is the natural way that a cat communicates its love for its owners. My cat simply tries to reach out to my face or my mouth when I hold her in my hands. In the case of my wife, she kind of caresses her with her paws, which has always been a wonderful sight for all of us. It is a clear case of affection.
It is one of the ways for the cat to show affection. Do note that cats do have several different ways to show their affection and reaching out paws is just one of them. My cat also keeps staring at me and that is one of the ways that showcases as a sign of affection. When your cat is lying beside you, it may reach out its paw to show that it loves to snuggle beside you. At least mine does!
Reason 2 – It is trying to get your attention
The cat may reach out her paws to get attention. This gesture may also be accompanied with the meowing or other sorts of verablisation. It is quite possible that some cats tend to be very much demanding when they feel they need attention. It is important to pay them enough attention before they tend to get annoyed.
Reaching out the paws is a way of talking for your cat. She may be trying to communicate something to you. Cats are social animals and they do need an interaction with their owners. More specifically, when the cats realise that their owners love them so much, they indulge in the attention seeking behaviour all the more instinctively.
Reason 3 – Pet me, pet me Now!
Yes, that is another possible reason that your cat puts its paw to you. Though every cat may not be a fan of petting and cuddling, but many cats love it when you pet them, and snuggle in when you do it. If you do it while holding her in her arms, she may even try to touch your face. Give your cat a pet when it approaches you and cats will often appreciate it with the reciprocation.
In many cases, cats learn this behaviour over tiime. My cat wasn’t showing this tendency before, but it does do it with my wife. Of course, it reaches out her paws to me, but the body language is different when it comes to my wife. Stretching out paws is a means of showing that she wants some cuddles from you. In some cases, you may also find your cat reaching out to you, holding your hands and cuddling your hands when sleeping.
Reason 4 – Your cat is simply mimicking you
There are several ways that cats are likely to mimic you. Reaching out its paws is one of the ways cats mimic you. Most of the domesticated cats tend to learn from the behaviour shown by their owners. It may perhaps be the way the cat is imitating the way you stretch your hands in the air or raise your hands. It is indeed one of the cute things cat are actually found to be indulging in.
The mimicking behaviour is one of the cutest ways that cats show up. Whenever I am with my Yoga sessions in the morning, my Chingu (that is our beloved cat) would begin imitating me. During the initial days, she used to come and sit on a chair while I was with my sessions, later in a few days, she began imitating me. As days passed, she began calling me when I was a bit late in beginning my sessions. Isnt that so loving and wonderful? This same behaviour is applicable when your cat tries to reach out a paw to you.
Reason 5 – Your cat is leaving her scent on you
Another reason why cats stretch their paws is to leave her scent on you. The scent does mean everything for cats and they do leave its scent on you to make sure that they are marking you. Cats do mark everything they like. They do the same when scratch the things with their paws.
The cats have scent glands below their paws. When they reach out to you or when they scratch the things with their paws, they leave their scent and mark the things as their own. So, when it is reaching out to you with paws, it may be marking you as its own using the small scent glands on its paw. It may reach a paw or knead you when it does that. OHH, that should be such an emotional feeling, eh? At least for us cat owners who drool over them – yes, definitely!
Reason 6 – Maybe your cat is in pain
Pain could be a sign for your cat to stretch its paws. A paw that is outstretched may also mean that the cat is hurt or in pain. It is reaching out to you to request for help or asking you to attend to the injury. Pulled muscles, a sprained paw, or nerve damage are a few of the possible indicators to the pain. They trust you enough to want your presence when they are in pain.
The sore limbs and limping can be a few of the reasons behind cat is reaching out to you with its paws. Feline calicivirus is one such illness that can result in a behavior where cats reach their paw or extend a paw in the air. A few of the reasons that your cat can sustain injuries would include cuts, broken muscles, and similar other health issues.
Reason 7 – Your cat is just being curious
Cats are inquisitive and curious by nature. They love exploring their surroundings. Maybe your cat is curious about something that you are holding or doing, and wants to examine it. In this attempt, it is just trying to reach out to you with its paws.
If you notice that the cat is reaching out to something in your hand, it is obvious that she is not interested in you, but focussing on the thing in your hand. This should quite common scene with the kittens who tend to be adjusting to things around them.
If you are still trying to find the reasons, a few inuts from this video should help you out –
Why Does my Cat Hit Me when I pet her?
Cats do love petting and respond to your petting by cuddling beside you. There are times when your cat may decide to detest overstimulation. If you are in a gentle petting session, and suddenly your cat hits you, that should be a clear indication that your cat does not like overstimualtion. Since cats don’t generally like overdoing things, it is best avoided.
There are times when your cat may be looking for a rough play. She may hit you to initiate a rough act with you. However, the exact behaviour may be dependent on the mood and personality of your cat.
Why do Cats Put Their Tail in Your Face?
Cats typically use their tail for for communicating different things. There may not be a single reason why your cat reaches out to your face which include teasing, marking you as their own, showing a friendly demeanour, or even saying hello.
One of the primary reason cats reach for your face is showing affection or seeking attention. In fact, the cat does not put their tail in your nose in many cases. Instead, it is showing you its butt, which is a sign of trust. When a cat is sitting in a way its face is away from you and butt towards you (sometimes so close to your face that you startle!), it is in a very vulnerable state as it can be easily attached in this posture. Still they do that with you should indicate that they trust you.
Why Do Cats Swat at You When You Walk By?
Swatting is a behaviour that cats have developed from their days in the wild. it is ideally a predatory behaviour. Domesticated cats show this behaviour when playing – generally while playing with toys, but extended to when playing with humans as well.
Cats do swat you while walking due to several reasons.
1. Redirected Aggression
The most common reasons that your cat swats you when walking is due to a redirected aggression. That would simply mean you cat is frustrated and peeved at something else, but the aggression is directed towards you as you are quite close to you at the moment. The cat is simply looking to vent off its anger, but you have become the target.
2. It is just being playful
Cats are known to be playful and curious. Your cat is trying to be playful with you. It is perhaps pranking you and inviting you to play with it. It may be noticed that the playfulness may be a special character showcased by some specific cat breeds. My cat does it with me quite often. When I am taking a stroll around the room frequently, it just pounces on me and indicates that it wants to play with me. If I ignore it, it gets a lot frustrated.
3. Swatting may also be a sign of an illness
Illness may be one of the common reasons that the cat may be swatting at you. Some of the common diseases that can induce the swatting behaviour can include dental illness, seizure, trauma, arthritis and mind declining.
Why my Cat Reaches Out With Paw While Sleeping?
Cats have several different ways of showing their affection. Reaching out to you with its paw when sleeping is just one of them. If you are sitting close to them, or reclining, they may do it to show that they are feeling comfortable with your presence around them.
Reaching out to you with paw when sleeping can also be a way that cats appreciate your presence near them. This is a clear indication that your cat loves and trusts you. It is also an indication that she feels comforted with you close to her. when your cat reaches out to you when sleeping, it indicates that she recognises comfortable with your heartbeat and body heat.
You may also find that your cat snuggles next to you and puts its paw on your chhek and leaves it there. It simply indicates that they feel comfortable with your touch and warmth.
Cats may typically reach out with paw when sleeping for any of the following reasons –
- Enjoying the physical contact – Cats would prefer touching you when going to sleep. This gives them the comfort of being touched.
- They will feel safer – Cats may sleep with one paw out whenever they are feeling safe and relaxed. They may feel feeel not afraid and not threatened
- Seeking attention – They sleep with one paw on you when they are seeking attention. They may not be asleep completely, but just lying down there.
Petting induced aggression is indicative of the mood of your cat when it does not like any action on your part. Petting induced aggression is a behaviour where your cat shows an instinctive reaction which it may feel unpleasant or painful. It can happen when petting and handling has gone too long or too far.
Should I Ignore My Cat When He Reaches His Paws Out to Me?
No, you should never ignore your cat when he reaches out paws to you. You should be able to find what he is trying to tell you if you two have developed a bonding. If you ignore your cat when it reaches out with its paw to you, it can get annoyed, and even get frustrated. It may also be trying to stretch out its muscles. in nay case, avoid ignoring it when your cat reaches out to you with its paws.
If you ignore your cat when it tries to reach out to you, you will make it more angry or disturbed. it may perhaps get more anxious and even begin avoid you. In certain cases, you may find the cat indulging in a destructive behaviour to get your attention.
Why Does my Cat touch My Face?
Wondering why do cats touch your face with their paw? It is indicative of her love for you. If it lovees to caress you, it is an indication that it wants to reciprocate your love and return the favours. The cat can cuddle you by touching your face with its paws. It may also decide to lick your face or even shows you her affection and love.
It can have several connotations when your feline friend touches your face with its paws.
- He wants to play with you
- He loves to get much closer to you
- He may be in need of food and pas your face to attract your attention
- He may be trying to mark you as your own.
The video here should give you a better idea –
Next time you wonder why does my cat put his paw on my mouth, do understand that your cat shares a great bond with you. It can simply be to show its appreciation or affection for you. It is also the way that cat intends to show that you are her own, and she is marking you as her personal space. My cat normally does it when she wants something from me, or even when she wants to have some kind of play and fun.
In essence, whenever you notice the cat reaching out to your mouth, or the cat puts paw on you, check other signs of the body language to have a clear understanding of what she wants to communicate.
Why Does my Cat Push Me Away with His Paws?
There can be several reasons as to why your cat pushes you away with his paws. Maybe he wants you to stop what you are doing to him. He may also be in a mood to play, or it is just a natural instinct. You need to analyse the other aspects of his behaviour to understand his other ways of communication.
Some cats do not like being petted, or cuddled. Thye alsotend to push you when he is grooming , and you are interrupting the task. In certain cases, the cat is simply in a playful mood, and may be asking you to join him in the catch and chase. My Chingu does it quite often. She comes to me, pushs me away with his paws and then ruuns away, waiting for me to run after her. It is her way of initiating the play or a game between us.
How to Show Your Cat that You Love Them?
Thee are multiple ways of showing your cat that you love them. A couple of the ways that you can utilise to let your cat know that you love her can be
1. Pet and Massage
Massage and slow strokes are what your cat love more than anything else. Cats love the gentle stokes, belly rubs (if they trust you enough) and gentle touches to their ears. Petting them and massaging gently is the surest way to make them stay connected to you. Make sure that you have set aside a little time from your busy schedule and give them a few belly rubs and gentle strokes.
2. Pay them enough attention
Cats are social animals and they love being in touch with their humans. You can stay close to them by staying close to them, cuddling beside them on the couch, talking to them and playing a few interatviee games with them.
Why Does My Cat Hit Me With Her Paw?
The primary reason why thee cat slaps you is that it wants to grab attention from you. They may also hit you with the paw when they are hungry or thirsty. A few other reasons why ca cat hits you with its paw is when it is overwhelmed with emotion or when it is frustrated wiht you or anything else.
You may also find the cat hitting you and running away. it can be a form of play that cat wants to indulge in with you. But when she hits you when you are petting her, it can be an indication that she has had enough and does not want it anymore.
Closing Thoughts
There can be several reasons why your cat is reaching out its paws to you. The behavior is to get your attention or wanting you topaly with her. Paws are a way cats use to communicate their feeling towards you. While there are several reasons that your cat may decide to reach out to you with its paws, the primary one among them is to strike a chord with you.
Cats do use reaching out with paws for communicating the feelings like attention, petting, or playtime. Reaching out with its paws can mean different things and that is why you need to observe their body language to find the reason behind this behavior.
So, next time, you find a cat doing that to you, you know why do cats stretch their paws, and perhaps help them in what they are trying to communicate to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do cats reach out their paws?
Cats reach out to you with paws to show that they want your attention. Maybe they need food, they may need your attention. Yet another means that cats use reaching out the paws to you is to show your affection for you. It may also be simply mimicking you.
What does it mean when a cat reaches for your face?
The clear indication that the cat gives out when it reaches for your face is that she loves you. This behaviour is also accompanied by a loud purr. She may also sit with her eyes half closed, which means she is very happy in your company.
Is it normal for cats to reach out their paws?
Yes, it is normal for cats to reach out their paws. Cats are affectionate animals and they often use their paws to engage with their surroundings and interact with their owners. It’s their way of expressing their love and seeking attention.
Should I touch my cat when she’s sleeping?
It is not advisable to touch your cat when it is busy with something – which includes eating, playing, or sleeping. They are less likely to appreciate and get annoyed. This is also applicable when your cat is hiding in one of its favourite hiding places.
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