Why Does My Cat Sit Behind Me? 4 Possible Reasons & Vet-Verified FAQ

Some cat owners get more than just a furry friend living in their home; they get a shadow that follows them everywhere. However, despite some contrary opinions, cats bond very closely with their owners, and it's not unusual for cats to always want to be close to their families. In fact, cats that are particularly bonded to their owners will often sit on or behind their favorite people.

The classic image of a cat comfortably sitting on someone's lap is based on fact since cats like to sit on their owner's laps for comfort and warmth, plus they like to get petted. But what does it mean if your cat wants to sit behind you, or even lay behind you? One thing is certain: it's not to get in your way!

This article will look at four possible reasons why your cat might like to sit behind you and what motivates them to do so.

The 4 Possible Reasons Why Your Cat Sits Behind You

1. They Love & Trust You

Whether or not a cat can feel love in the way a human does is a topic of much debate. Nonetheless, for simplicity, most pet owners associate a close bond with their pets as “love.” A cat that loves their owner may always want to be near them. Cats are usually more solitary but can bond in close social groupings (particularly queens raising kittens) if they're pets or are part of a feral colony.

They often form strong relationships with the other cats in their group. Being physically close to one another offers security and comfort. According to some people, this may be why your cat likes to sit behind you in your home. They love you and want to give you that same comfort and security in return.

In essence, your cat loves you and likes to hang out with you, and they prefer to sit behind you.

2. It’s a Preference

Much like us, all cats are individuals and have their individual personalities and quirks. Sometimes, a cat may choose to sit behind you for no real reason other than it just being a preference they have. The best way to think of this is trying to approximate it to your knack for wanting to sit in a specific spot as a preferred seat. Nobody may know why you like to do so, and the same could be said for your cat.

3. They're Attention Seeking

There are some surefire ways cats can get your attention when they want something, be it food, cuddles, or playtime. Cats will often sidle up to their owners and sit behind them, on their laps, or even on their shoulders when they want something, usually pairing this touch with an insistent meow.

Your cat sitting right behind you may signify that they want more food in their bowl or are ready for some playtime but are more polite and patient than those insistent cats that jump onto their owner's desks.

If you turn and give your cat attention every time they sit behind you, your cat will know sitting there will provide them with what they want. If they're feeling affectionate, cats that do this may step it up a notch and headbutt their owner's hands or purr or meow loudly to capture their interest and get some attention.

4. They Want Warmth

At times, your cat might be sitting behind you because they feel like cozying up to your warmth. This might be true for just about any cat but it is more likely to be the cause for kittens, cats with no hair (or sparse hair), cats that are unwell, cats that are underweight, or at times when it’s really cold outside.

Why Do Cats Want to Be Near Their Owners?

Cats bond closely with their families and thrive on the attention, interaction, and affection a family unit brings. Despite being thought of as nonchalant by some, cats definitely form strong bonds with their caretakers – evidenced by research which shows they tend to spend more time with them after periods of absence.

Social interactions between cats and their owners is something that may definitely be a huge part of the lives of some pets. Physical closeness to humans that they like may denote security, safety, comfort, and the opportunity for your cat to bond with you even more.

Why Are Some Cats Clingy?

Some cats may take this need for physical closeness to the next level and stick to their owners like glue. While most owners may not honestly mind this behavior, some clinginess can become obsessive.

Separation anxiety might sometimes be a cause for this clinginess. However, it’s very important to note that the signs associated with separation anxiety in cats are not exclusive to just this disorder. As such, it’s important to rule out medical issues before assuming your cat has a separation anxiety issue. This can be done by having your cat examined by a veterinarian.

How Can I Stop My Cat From Sitting Behind Me?

If your cat's behavior is proving to be disruptive, there are things you can do to help encourage them to sit somewhere else:

• If your cat sitting behind you is causing problems, you can physically pick them up and move them to a different location. Do note that if your cat likes being picked up, they may quickly learn that sitting behind you will accomplish this!
• You can make it impossible for your cat to sit behind you by giving them no space.
• You can encourage your cat to sit beside you or on your lap.
• You can provide them with their own safe space, such as a bed or box with a blanket inside, to see if they favor it as a resting spot.

Conclusion

There are several reasons your cat may like to sit behind you, but most of them are not of much concern. Many people believe that a cat that can comfortably sit so close to (or on top of) their owner trusts them completely, and it shows the strength of your bond.

That being said, some people attribute their fondness of sitting behind you as a personality quirk. This, too, is a definite possibility. Unless your cat’s antics are very disruptive to you, there usually isn’t any reason to try and have your cat unlearn this behavior.

See also: 

• Why Do Cats Hang Out in Weird Places? 4 Common Reasons, Care Tips & FAQ

• Why Does My Cat Sit In My Chair? 5 Vet-Approved Likely Reasons & Prevention Ideas

Featured Image Credit: Winessyork, Shutterstock