Why Is Your Cat Sitting Behind You: 5 Interesting Reasons

You never really know what you are going to get when you bring a cat into your home. Some cats like to keep to themselves, while others are hardly ever out of your sight. It’s not out of the ordinary for your cat to sit or lounge somewhere near you, but if you have noticed your cat regularly sitting behind you, there are a few reasons why this could be.

This behavior is completely normal, but if it results from a sudden change in your cat’s behavior, it’s a good idea to reach out to your veterinarian to rule out any potential underlying conditions. Here’s a look at the different reasons why your cat is sitting behind you.

The 5 Reasons Your Cat Is Sitting Behind You

1. They Enjoy Being Near You

Cats sometimes have a way of making you feel like you are simply their servant. You feed them, clean up after them, and provide them with all their needs, so it only makes sense. You’ll be happy to know that cats don’t just see you as a peasant within their kingdom, they truly do form close bonds with their owners and enjoy being in their company.

Research that was published in the Journal of Current Biology discovered that cats do form attachments to their humans in the same way that dogs and babies form bonds with their caregivers.¹ Your cat may be observing your whereabouts and ensuring they are close to you.

dog licking woman's head while cat is sitting on the other side — Image Credit: Gladskikh Tatiana, Shutterstock

2. They’ve Found the Perfect Perch

You may want to pay close attention to where your cat is sitting, as they may have just come across the perfect perch that gives them a view of the room. If they are sitting behind you on top of the furniture, that may be the case.

Perching is a natural behavior passed down from their ancestral routes. It is primarily a survival tactic since cats could fall prey to other predators. Perching gives them a vantage point to scope out any potential threats.

3. They’re Being a Bit Clingy

You’ve heard of the term “velcro dog,” which describes a pooch that turns into its owner’s shadow. Cats may have a reputation for being more aloof and not requiring constant companionship, but that isn’t always the case. There are plenty of cats that are very clingy by nature.

Clinginess is common in certain breeds like the Siamese, Ragdoll, and Abyssinian but can occur in any domesticated cat. Your cat sitting behind you could just be another sign they don’t want you too far out of sight.

Since excessive clinginess can be a sign that there is something else going on either behaviorally or medically, it’s important to keep an eye on their behavior and reach out to your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns.

Signs your cat is being overly clingy include:

Following your every move
Loud meowing or scratching when they can’t get to you
Constantly rubbing up against you
Sitting on any objects you are using
Refusing to eat or drink if you are not there eating

man petting the cat behind him — Image Credit: Magui-RF, Shutterstock

4. They Are After Your Attention

You should never underestimate a cat’s intelligence. They have a way of getting what they want and will go to great lengths to get it. If every time you turn around you notice your cat is sitting right behind you, this may be their way of getting your attention.

They could want food, water, snuggles, or even playtime. What better way to get you to notice them than following you around and being everywhere you are?

5. They Are Trying to Get Warm

Cats are always seeking out warm places to relax, so if they are sitting behind you, it could mean that area is the prime place to snuggle up and be warm. This could be because your location allows them to soak up the sun, or maybe it is because of a cozy throw on the back of the sofa.

Warmth is one of the reasons that your cat enjoys snuggling up on your lap, too. It's believed that being warm provides them with a sense of security. There Is also some speculation that it is due to ancestry related to wild desert cats that thrived in warm conditions.

cat sitting behind the man licking his head — Image Credit: Caterina Trimarchi, Shutterstock

Conclusion

Cats are a combination of cute, cuddly, loving, and even a bit shady at times. There are several reasons why your cat may be sitting behind you, and most of them are completely harmless. On the other hand, they could be plotting your untimely demise, or maybe you are just sitting in front of your cat. Have you ever thought about that?

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