Why Does My Cat Follow Me Everywhere? A Kitty's Point of View!

My human is the centre of my world and the one who makes sure that I have everything I need, so I do try to be a good companion to her and repay her with as much love and attention as I can. If you’ve ever wondered “why does my cat follow me everywhere?”, I’m here to tell you that for many of us, it’s all about cat companionship and showing cat affection.

But I know that some of my feline friends don't feel the same about their humans; in fact, they are quite independent and prefer to find a quiet place away from the general hustle and bustle of the house. Even so, their cat behaviour can still show subtle signs your cat loves you. I, however, do like to climb on to my human's lap when she sits down, which is another answer to “why does my cat follow me everywhere?”

Sometimes, I think she would prefer me not to jump on her lap, particularly if she is working from home, but I am only trying to help her, apart from the fact that I do love chasing that cursor around the screen! This kind of cat behavioir is just another form of cat companionship and cat affection from my point of view.

Why do I follow my human everywhere?

Although some say that us cats can be a bit snooty and independent, it's not always the case, believe me! When humans ask “why does my cat follow me everywhere?”, they often don’t realise they are seeing some of the clearest signs your cat loves you and wants to strengthen your cat companionship bond.

Companionship

When my human sits down to watch the TV in the evening, I love snuggling up on her lap, and I've heard her saying that when she strokes me, she feels relaxed too. This kind of close cat companionship is one of the sweetest signs your cat loves you. I've heard lots of wonderful stories about cats helping their humans; I particularly love the one about Hermione whose human calls her 'her little shadow'! That’s exactly the kind of cat behaviour that makes people ask “why does my cat follow me everywhere?”

I miss you!

I love my human's company and I miss her if she's not around, particularly if she goes away for a weekend break. I know she makes sure I've got everything I need and she even gets the next door neighbour to pop in and check if I'm OK, but it's not quite the same. I make up for it when she returns home and I follow her everywhere just to make sure she doesn't go away again! This clingy cat behaviour is really just cat affection and a sign that our cat companionship means a lot to me.

I'm hungry!

Sometimes, my human forgets what time of the day it is and she might be a little late in giving me my supper. So I have to remind her as best I can, and that's by following her around until she gets the message. A gentle meow! normally does the trick! If you notice this kind of cat behaviour around mealtimes and wonder “why does my cat follow me everywhere in the kitchen?”, the answer is probably very simple: I’m hungry!

I'm just plain nosy!

I like to call it “being curious”! I follow my human around if I'm bored, too, because she always seems to be doing something interesting, and staying close is one of the fun little signs your cat loves you and wants to be involved:

• When she is sorting out the laundry, I'll jump in the basket so that I can keep her company; it's also very comfy in there with all those clean clothes and shows a different kind of cat affection.
• I love following her into the bathroom! There's lots to play with in there, like toilet rolls and towels hanging over rails and dripping taps. I have lots of fun in there, but she won't let me in there on my own; I think she's scared I might drink the water in the toilet after she's cleaned it, as toilet cleaners can be very dangerous for cats. When I was a tiny kitten, she was scared that I would fall into the loo and drown, so she always made sure the lid was closed; unfortunately, the men in the house didn't always remember to do that, so she would tell them off!

It's my routine

There are certain times of the day that I like to have some fun, normally early in the evening because that's when me and my feline friends feel very energetic and frisky! But it's also the time that my human either grooms or plays with me, and if she gets involved in doing other things, like feeding the rest of the family, I follow her around in order to get her attention and remind her that I want some “me” time as well. This predictable cat behaviour is part of our daily cat companionship ritual and one more way I show cat affection.

Don't worry!

If your cat doesn't follow you around, this doesn't mean they don't value your companionship. Different breeds of cats have different personalities. For example, Ragamuffins are generally very affectionate and will probably follow you around everywhere, as will a British Shorthair. But some cats are more independent and like to keep to themselves a bit more and only interact with humans on their terms, showing cat affection in quieter ways.

What cat am I? Well I'm a domestic shorthair and I'm ginger, so I know I'm special!

I am sure you love cats, too (or you wouldn't be reading my post!), but remember if you notice any change in your cat's behaviour and you don't know the cause, get them checked by your vet as there might be a medical reason for this. Sudden changes in cat behaviour, such as no longer following you or becoming overly clingy, should always be investigated.

Remember, too, that if you plug in FELIWAY Optimum in the room where your cat spends most of their time, it will help them feel more comfortable and secure. I've got one and it really helps me to relax, which supports calmer cat companionship at home.

Now, where has my human gone? I'll just go and check! If you see me trotting after her, you’ll know the answer to “why does my cat follow me everywhere?” is simple: love, curiosity, routine, and a whole lot of cat affection.

For more information about understanding cat behaviour and body language, be sure to explore all our articles online. Or to receive the latest news straight into your inbox, sign up to our newsletter, and we’ll keep you in the loop with all the latest FELIWAY guides and info.