Why Is My Cat Suddenly Clingy? 5 Surprising Vet Reasons

My cats are independent and not friendly to other people celebrated as such, but occasionally even the most independent and aloof cats become suddenly clingy.

But if your cat is suddenly following you from room to room and begging for your attention or changing its position from curled up on your lap to suddenly following you from room to room and then begging for your attention constantly, it can leave you puzzled and concerned.

Although this abrupt change in behaviour may be cute at first glance, it’s important to have a perspective as to what these reasons are.

Yet despite the mystery cats, they are extremely sensitive creatures, whose behaviour will often reflect changes in their physical or emotional well being. Let’s see why is my cat suddenly clingy.

What Does It Look Like When a Cat Behaves Clingy?

Cats don’t do clingy too often. While there are many wats cats can show clingy behavior, some of them may be very subtle, and others more overt.

A clingy cat will whinge for your attention and paw at you if you try to leave the room, or will meow loudly if you are not next to it all the time.

In addition, they may want to jump onto your lap more often, place their head against yours (when they wouldn’t have done this before), and even accompany you to places they generally avoided, like the bathroom. 

You need to be able to tell the difference between normal affectionate behaviour and clinginess. Some cats are more naturally sociable and enjoy being close to

Why Do Toddlers Behave Sudden Clingy?

However, you will find that cats don’t act crazily for no reason.

It’s possible there are a number of reasons if your normally independent cat has gone too far in the other direction. 

• Changes in the environment: Hearing from other pet owners puts cat owners at ease, because cats are creatures of habit, and even a small change will unsettle them. 
• Illness or discomfort: Some physical ailments cause cats to want comfort from the trusted humans. 
• Stress or anxiety triggers: Confusion engendered in one can lead to physical and emotional dependency.
• Ageing and cognitive decline: An older cat may become more dependent, lose confidence or become confused. 
• Pregnancy or heat cycles: Hormonal changes can change cat behavior quite a bit.

What environmental changes might affect your cat around your home?

Cats crave routine and a change to their environment will stress them out, resulting in clinginess.

One of the most common triggers is moving house as this rips out the familiar surroundings your familiar cat depends on for security.

New and different can be uncomfortable for your cat, even minute changes, such as rearranging furniture, introducing a new pet, or having a new family member, can bring unease. 

These changes can cause cats to look for comfort in the form of something physical: specifically, in getting close to you.

When they don’t know what is happening in their world, they rely on their humans to be the authority giving them a sense of safety.

Also read: Why Is My Cat Obsessed With Me? bad cat behaviour

The Cling Behavior and Health

Another huge factor is when your cat is suddenly clingy about health issues. If your cat has an injury or if it’s caused by an underlying medical condition, your cat may feel pain, or at least discomfort, and will be reaching out to feel reassured.

Some of these disorders, such as arthritis, kidney disease, or hyperthyroidism, can also show up as a change in behaviour. 

In particular, hyperthyroidism is often accompanied by restlessness and excess vocalization, both of which might be confused with clinginess.

If you think your horse has a health issue, be sure to check with your veterinarian for a complete checkup. 

Also read: Why Is My Cat Gagging? Common Causes and What to Do

What Cats Take: The Emotional Side of Cats

A lot more is going on emotionally with cats than they are given credit for. And when they are stressed or anxious their behaviour can be hugely affected, there are ways they can let you know, like clinginess.

An example would be cats that just freak out when they are left alone, that situation is called separation anxiety.

Excessive meowing, unwanted destructive behaviour, or an intense desire to be with their owner when they return home are all symptoms. 

Cradling around, or clinging around the neck is a behavior that cats with histories of abandonment, neglect, or trauma will do in an effort to perpetually reassure themselves. 

Also read: Do Cats Have Good Listening? – secret Truth! By VET

What Causes Age-Related Change in Cats?

Cats, like humans, do tend to become more clingy as the miles add up—clinginess is another aging issue.

As a senior cat, a cat’s sense of hearing or vision or mobility may become impaired and the cat may become more dependent on his owner.

But, like humans, cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) can cause confusion, anxiety and clinginess in older cats, too. 

If your senior cat has suddenly become glued to your side, perhaps it’s their way of finding comfort in a world they increasingly don’t understand. 

We may be poorly equipped to handle hormonal shifts and reproductive cycles. 

A cat’s behaviour can be driven in part by changes in their hormones. As part of their female reproductive cycle, even female cats in heat will often become more vocal, affectionate and clingier.

Pregnant cats may also treat their owners as the extra care and comfort they need, in preparation for being a mum. 

If your unspayed cat is suddenly being more clingey, perhaps the hormones are playing a part. 

Also read: How to Remove Cat Urine Odor from Carpet – cats idea

How to Deal with Your Cat Allowing Itself to be Clingy Too Often?

The first thing you’re going to want to do when it comes to your cat’s clingy behaviour is to watch for and recognize possible triggers.

Have they had any recent environmental changes? Did there come any signs of illness or discomfort? Once you know what’s causing it, you can take steps to help your cat feel safe again. 

If you think it’s a medical issue, make an appointment with your veterinarian.

Prompt your little feline by providing him with a safe place where he will feel comfortable and surrounded by his familiar scents and soft bedding, plus put there as the many hiding place as he may find. 

Also read: Will Coyotes Eat Cats? A Pet Owner’s Guide to Safety

What You Can Do to Balance Out Your Cat’s Needs:

While you want to give your cat the affection that they deserve and want, don’t be afraid to set boundaries too.

Encourage independence promote in your cat by interactive play stimulating the cat’s mind and body. And puzzle toys, feather wands, laser pointers are great tools to keep your cat entertained. 

Also, you can also relieve anxiety by maintaining a consistent routine.

Cats like predictable schedule so feed, playand interacting with them on the same time every day will make them happy and less stressed. 

When to Worry: Recognizing Serious Issues

While clinginess is usually harmless, it can be a sign of some more ingrained problem.

But then watch for other signs lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, or changes in litter box habits, for example that might mean your pet is sick.

If your cat’s clinginess is also accompanied by any of these symptoms, see your vet immediately. 

wrap up on Why Is My Cat Suddenly Clingy?

Cats are clingy and unexplainably arduous at times, but it’s typically their method of saying something in their world has changed.

Watching their behaviour intently, finding possible triggers, and offering suitable support will ensure your feline will keep feeling safe and loved. 

Remember each different cat has different needs and a different personality. One of the many joys of being a cat parent is the patience (and understanding) to embrace these quirks.

Also read: How Many Lost Cats Are Reported in a Year? – cats Idea

FAQ: Why Is My Cat Suddenly Clingy?