Some cats, especially those that have had a difficult kittenhood, such as being reared by a feral or semi-feral mother and/or ending up in a shelter, are terrified if humans approach them.
They may grow to trust you and desire to be near after spending enough time with you, but they may fear if they perceive you are attempting to capture them with your hands.
Your cat can follow you and then run away because it doesn’t trust you completely, is attempting to play, or is hiding an illness.
Pay attention to any changes, such as new odours in the house or changes in your behaviour, if you’ve been gone for a day or even overnight if this is a new behaviour. These things might have an impact on your relationship with your cat.
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My Cat Meows At Me And Then Run Away
If your cat meows at you and then run away as you approach to pick them up or pet them, they feel scared or uneasy. Even though your cat adores you, he or she may not yet trust you.
Mutual trust and acceptance of your cat’s boundaries can bring you closer together, but it may take some time.
Your cat’s lack of trust arises from their need to avoid unwanted attention from you. This might be a clue that they are avoiding your hands if you’ve recently picked them up, take them to the vet, or they aren’t comfortable with you caressing them.
You are considerably taller than your cat, and a new cat could be intimidated by your massive height. Be patient with them and work on regaining their trust.
By calmly existing around them without attempting to pet them, you can begin to restore trust (just sitting or standing near them). They should get more familiar with you, and when the moment is perfect, you may start holding your hand out to them or gradually introduce caressing.
The second response, about being fun, is as straightforward as it appears. Your cat may be playing tag with you or requesting that you follow them. You may do something similar by engaging with your cat and then hiding or leaving the area to see if they follow you. Your cat is a lively creature.
The third response, concerning disease, is based on a cat’s natural need to hide weakness from predators. Consider this option if the following and fleeing behaviour is new. Check to see whether your cat has regular bowel movements and isn’t vomiting excessively.
Take your cat to the vet if you notice any changes in the way he or she pees, defecates, or vomits recently. They can at the very least assuage your fears by confirming that nothing is making your cat ill.
Why Does My Cat Run Away When I Try To Pet Him?
When your cat avoids your contact or flees, it might be an indication that he or she is afraid of you. You may have previously lifted them up or petted them without their consent, and as a result, you have lost their confidence.
Cats may follow their owners because they trust them or because they are looking for attention or play. It might be a hint that you have a friendly cat who enjoys your company. This might also be shown in actions like your cat sitting close to you.
Most of us are well aware that our cats can be devious little animals with their own minds. They may love extended periods of stroking one minute and then hide in a dark corner the next, which they most likely refer to as “alone time.”
While most of us like our cats, especially their eccentricities, it’s impossible not to feel upset when they’re ignored. It’s vital to remember that just because your cat flees from you doesn’t imply they don’t love you.
Remember that there is a lot that can be done to modify this transient emotion, but first, we need to figure out what’s causing it.
Everything, they say, begins in childhood, and kittenhood is the same for cats. Cats go through a socialisation stage, with the first 9 weeks of their lives being the most crucial in their social development.
Kittens learn about the world around them at this time and are exposed to a variety of stimuli such as odours, sights, and noises that, if not handled properly, can cause fear and anxiety.
This implies that if your kitten or cat was not treated appropriately by humans or had little to no interaction with them, they may have acquired a phobia of them. Feral cats, for example, are likely to have had little or no exposure to humans during that time, making them wary of humans.
“Owners of additional socialised kittens reported considerably stronger emotional support from their cats, and fewer of these cats displayed behaviour suggestive of a fear of humans,” according to the research.
So, when you go to your local adoption facility, ask a few questions regarding your cat’s socialisation time.
Your veterinarian or animal behaviourist may be able to provide you with further information on how to reduce your cat’s anxiety, improve their socialisation skills, and repair your bond so that they stop running away from you.
My Cat Likes To Be Near Me But Not Touched
If your cat likes to be near you but not touched, then he is suffering from some kind of trauma.
Trauma is frequently associated with the human experience, yet this could not be farther from reality.
“Like people, animals react to stress in many different ways,” Hana Surowinski, the director of Nowzad, an animal sanctuary in Kabul, says, adding that “how it expresses itself in that animal is specific to them.”
“Given similarities in brain areas involved for stress reactions, animals display symptoms that match those of PTSD in people,” says Stacy Lopresti-Goodman, an associate professor of psychology at Marymount University in Arlington, Va.
There’s a probability your kitten has a terrible background if they run away from you and show symptoms of hostility or continual fear.
Abuse and neglect, according to studies, can have both immediate and long-term psychological and emotional consequences. As a result, a traumatised cat might be any age.
Some cat owners employ punishment to deter their cats from engaging in particular activities, such as clawing furniture or leaping on kitchen counters.
While some people employ cat-friendly methods such as aromatic oils to keep their cats out of particular locations, others use water bottles to punish them. Punishment may only result in tension, which can lead to trauma.
Why Does My Cat Shy Away From Me?
Your cat shies away from you because they are uncomfortable and needs space.
New and inexperienced cat owners should remember that each cat is unique, and no two personalities are identical. Cats are no different in this regard than people who can be classified as introverts, extroverts, or both.
Perhaps you aren’t paying enough attention to your cat and approach them at inopportune times.
If they’re busy or enjoying some alone time, give them some space and let them come to you instead of approaching them and frightening them away.
How Do I Stop My Cat From Running Away From Me?
You can stop your cat from running away from you by building mutual trust.
There are a few things you can do to assist your cat to gain trust. Begin by putting yourself in their presence in a calm manner, then begin giving them goodies whenever you are with them to create a positive relationship. Then you should start petting them on a regular basis.
Although your cat may be more independent, most cats place great importance on human interaction. You should make an effort to win over your cat’s affections.
When your cat is preoccupied, such as when they are eating from their food dish, start by standing or sitting near them. So they don’t see you as a danger, keep your hands in your lap or tucked behind you. Carry on like this until they come up to you on their own.
Treats and petting should be introduced next. Sit close to them and offer them a reward or pat them at different times. This will assist them in becoming used to your touch.
Cats will welcome you sniffing your hand before petting them, although they may be apprehensive at first.
If you’ve done a good job of gradually earning your cat’s confidence, you should be able to pet or at least approach them without their fleeing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you tell if your cat wants to play with you?
If your cat is looking back to see if you are following them or if they are halting and waiting for you to engage with them, they will want to play with you. If they wait in the same location where you regularly play with them, they can also notify you they want to play.
Could your cat follow a stranger and run away as well?
Cats may seek attention from strangers and attempt to play with them by following and fleeing. Owners of cats say that cats can sense when people are kind to them. They may have picked up on it from the stranger.
Why would my cat suddenly run away from me?
They might be attempting to amuse you or demonstrate something to you. They may also be expressing their displeasure with being petted or picked up. This is usual if they don’t trust you completely yet.
Final Words
Your cat can follow you around and run away because it’s the only way they know to communicate with you that they need your attention or are in desperate need of assistance. If your cat does this, be sure to give them the attention they require, as they may simply be seeking your affection.
Ask your questions in the comments section below.
