Why Does My Cat Follow Me, Then Run Away?

You can’t blame your cat for being mysterious. Their independent and aloof nature makes it hard to know what they’re thinking most of the time. One moment they might be following you around like a little puppy, and another moment they could be hiding from you as if you were their worst enemy. We all know that cats are curious creatures that love to explore new places, objects, and people; but why does your cat follow you around the house almost at every opportunity, but then vanish when you try to play with them or pet them? It might look confusing AF, but there’s a reason behind everything your kitty does. Here’s why your cat follows you, then runs away:

Why Does My Cat Follow Me, Then Run Away?

1. They’re Asserting Dominance

If your cat starts following you around when you start dating someone new, it could be because they are asserting its dominance over you by showing the new person that they are in charge. It may be that they’re trying to protect you from the new person, or that they are feeling threatened by the new person. It’s important to remember that cats don’t see the world the same way that we do. Their instinct is to have one dominant cat in the group, and the cats who are lower down on the food chain are often trying to assert their dominance to avoid being bullied by others.

2. They Don’t Want To Be Left Behind

Cats are very territorial animals, and they don’t like being left behind. They may be following you while you’re getting ready in the morning, or while you’re packing their food and water bowl for the day. If you’re leaving the house, there’s a good chance they’ll follow you since they don’t want to be left alone and they probably want to make sure you’re coming back. This is why cats will often follow their owners from a distance when they know they are about to go somewhere they can’t follow.

3. They Feel Abandoned

If your cat follows you around when you start dating someone new, it could be because they feel abandoned and are trying to get your attention. A cat can sense your emotions better than we can, so if you’re sad or upset, they will know about it. If you start dating someone new and your cat starts following you around, it could be that they are trying to get your attention and make you feel better.

4. You Smell Different After Showering

Cats have a very keen sense of smell and they can tell a lot about you by the way you smell. For example, when you take a shower, you smell different from how you’d normally smell. Cats are very sensitive and there’s a good chance they’ll notice the difference in smell and follow you around. They may even try to rub up against you as soon as you’re done showering. This could be because they want to mark you with their scent, or they want to smell like you.

5. They Are Scared Of The Dark

Cats are nocturnal animals, which means they are most active during the night. If your cat follows you from a distance, especially when you’re getting ready for bed, it could be because they are scared of the dark. If this is the case, try turning on a small light when you’re getting ready for bed, or installing a night light in your home.

How To Recognize Your Cat Is Following You?

They keep checking you out and watching you while you’re doing your daily routine The cat follows you around the house, making sure that they are not forgotten. They make sure they are included in the family activities Although cats can be independent, they still need to be part of the family unit, and they will eventually make their presence known!
They follow you around when there is no obvious reason For example, when your sister comes over for a visit or when your parents go on vacation.
You can hear them meowing in distress You can sometimes hear them meowing when you’re in the kitchen or bedroom – that is because they are distressed because of something and want to express themselves with this behavior. You could also hear them meowing from outside the window…they are trying to get your attention!
Your cat doesn’t like being alone When cats get lonely, this behavior will become more obvious. They will keep checking you out and try to get your attention, but they won’t be able to find you.
They hide out in places where they can see or hear you, like the window If they are hiding in a place where they can see or hear you, it means that they are feeling insecure and want to express their feelings with this behavior.
They don’t come when called When cats feel neglected, this behavior will become more obvious. They won’t come when called by name and will prefer to be left alone rather than “interrogated” about their whereabouts.
Your cat doesn’t like being petted When your cat gets annoyed by being petted by someone who doesn’t know how much he loves their owner, he will start avoiding them instead of allowing them to pet him!