As cat owners, we spend a lot of time with our feline companions. We hug them, play with them, and make sure they are warm and well fed. In exchange, our cats provide us with love and companionship.
quick overview
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Cats are a naturally independent species, and their social needs are very different from humans.
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There are many reasons why cats ignore humans, including stress, illness, fear, old age, or just their personality.
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If your normally socialized cat is suddenly ignoring you, have them checked by their veterinarian to rule out any medical issues and address any underlying causes of stress.
However, this is not the case for all cats. Some cats are affectionate, while others completely ignore us. why? If you’re asking yourself, “Why is my cat ignoring me all of a sudden?” read on to find out the most common reasons why your cat is ignoring you.
cats are not dogs
Cats are a naturally independent species, and their social needs are very different from humans.
First, it is important that we know what to expect from cats. Humans are social animals, and so are dogs. As social species, we generally expect the same attention in return. However, that’s not the case for our feline companions.
Cats are naturally independent creatures. Their ancestors were solitary hunters who only came together to mate, and our pet cats have inherited this trait. In the wild, cats don’t naturally stay together except when mating and when the mother cat is feeding her kittens and a litter of kittens. We know there are exceptions in pet households, where cats can learn to live in harmony.
Considering the normal behavior of cats, it is clear that there are big differences between humans and cats when it comes to our social interactions. We can’t count on getting the cat attention we want. Likewise, we can’t expect our cats to want the level of affection we think they want.
Also read: 10 Signs Your Cat Really Trusts You
Why is my cat ignoring me when I’m on the phone?
Many cats can be affectionate while remaining independent.
Now that we know cats are independent pets, we know what to expect when it comes to interaction. However, this doesn’t necessarily explain why your feline friend completely ignores you, as many cats can be affectionate while remaining independent.
There are many reasons why your feline companion may not be feeling cuddly or attentive. As a pet owner, it’s important to find out why. We will now discuss these in more detail.
1. Personality
Some cats are more independent in character than others.
Cats are known to have different personalities. Some cats are docile and will seek attention from their owners. Other cats are perfectly happy with minimal human contact. If your cat is ignoring you, and they do all the time, it may just be a matter of their personality.
Cats are independent pets, and some cats are extreme in this regard. They may be perfectly content with their own company and rarely, if ever, seek human companionship. If your cat has been like this all along, and they appear otherwise healthy and happy, there is nothing to worry about. It might just be their way and they’re happy to be that way.
Also Read: 7 Health Benefits of Having a Cat
2. Early socialization with humans
Kittens may become apathetic without constant, positive human contact during socialization.
It is very important for kittens to receive constant, positive human contact during their socialization phase. This period is between 2 and 7 weeks of age and does not begin to decline until about 14 weeks of age.
If kittens do not receive this type of positive human contact, they may grow up to become cats that avoid human contact entirely. They may completely ignore humans and even be afraid of them.
Also read: 10 Signs You Might Have a Clingy Cat
3. Pressure
If your cat normally likes to be social but suddenly starts avoiding you, they may be stressed out.
If your cat is stressed, it can change their behavior. Stressed cats are less likely to want cuddles and human affection (although some cats can be clingy). If they’re stressed out, they might even ignore you. For cats, stress can come in many different forms, and it can be the smallest thing that can make your cat unhappy.
Be aware of any changes that may be stressful for your cat, such as moving house, new babies or visitors to the home, new pets, furniture changes, new neighbors’ cats, conflict between cats in the house, and many more. Any of these things will upset your cat because they are creatures of habit and don’t like change. If your cat suddenly starts ignoring you, stress could be the cause.
Also read: Moving a Cat to a New Home: A Step-by-Step Guide
4. Fear
Fear can cause cats to ignore or avoid people.
Fear is a strong emotion, and if your cat is scared, they are likely to ignore you. They may ignore you to avoid perceived threats. This may be related to early socialization, for example, if your cat is in a semi-feral state due to lack of socialization. It can also be stress-related, such as a new dog in the family barking at the cats and scaring them.
But fear can also be attributed directly to frightening associations. For example, if you’ve recently given your cat daily pills and he doesn’t like the pills, he may associate you with that experience and avoid you.
Also read: 8 Ways to Help a Frightened Cat Become Confident
5. Disease
Sick cats often appear detached and withdrawn, behaviors that may seem like they are ignoring you.
If your cat is ignoring you, illness is a possible reason, especially if they suddenly started ignoring you and they don’t always do that. Many medical conditions can cause symptoms such as lethargy, weakness, and pain. These symptoms can make it seem like your cat is ignoring you, when in reality, they may be in discomfort or pain.
For example, if your cat has cystitis, they will experience discomfort and pain when they urinate. They’ll focus on using their litter box on a regular basis and may drink more than usual. Some cats show a clingy attitude towards their owners when they are in distress, but many cats are detached and withdrawn. In doing so, it will appear as if they are ignoring you.
Also read: What Pain Relief Medication Can You Give Your Cat? 6 Veterinarian-Recommended Options
6. Old age
Senior cats may experience declines in sensory, mobility, and cognitive function, which can make them look like they are ignoring you.
As cats age, they may suffer from various diseases. This affects how they interact with you. Older cats are more likely to lose hearing and vision. If this is the case, it may simply be because they cannot physically hear or see you to interact with you. Likewise, older cats are more prone to cognitive impairment/dementia, which affects how they socialize with their owners. They may be distracted or confused.
Older cats also suffer from osteoarthritis, which can range from mild to severe. Pay attention to your cat’s mobility, because if they have trouble getting around, they may not be able to come to you for attention if they are uncomfortable.
ALSO READ: The Complete Feeding Guide for Kittens to Big Cats
what can you do
If your cat has been ignoring you lately, try to find out why so you can help.
If your cat is ignoring you, there may be a reason. For some cats, it may just be their personality. For others, there may be problems. We’ve provided some tips below on how to help depending on the cause.
if your cat is stressed You need to find out why. Try to identify anything that might be upset your cat and fix the problem. Using a plug-in synthetic pheromone diffuser like Feliway can help your cat relax, no matter the cause of the stress. Make sure your cat has adequate resources (litter box, bed, food and water stations, hiding area and scratching post). This will also help despite the stressful reasons.
If your cat is scared or scared of humans, there are a few hints that might help. Playing with your cat and offering lots of tasty cat treats helps build a positive relationship between you and your cat. It can also help your cat form a positive bond with you rather than a negative one (for example, after you’ve given them medication for a while).
approach your cat in a gentle, positive way all the time. Get down to cat level and open your hand for them to sniff. Avoid prolonged eye contact without blinking or loud noises, and refrain from making sudden movements. Always allow your cat to initiate contact, and don’t force them to interact with you if they don’t want to. Contacts should always be made on their own terms.
READ ALSO: What Are Cat Pheromones, and Do They Really Work?
when to go to the vet
If your normally socialized cat is suddenly ignoring you, arrange for an examination by your veterinarian.
If your cat is ignoring you, and they are old or showing signs of discomfort, arrange for a veterinarian to check them out. Your veterinarian will ask about your cat’s symptoms or history of any behavioral changes (eg, ignoring you).
They’ll examine your cat to check for any problems, and they may decide to do urine and blood tests based on that. If they think your cat has a mobility issue such as arthritis, they may recommend x-rays. It is important to rule out a medical condition when your cat ignores you, as they may be in pain.
Also read: How Much Do Cat X-rays Cost?
In short
Some cats are less gregarious and thus very happy, but many cats love the attention and affection of their favorite human beings.
We love our cats very much and get frustrated when they ignore us. For some cats, it’s just their personality and ways. For others, it may be a sign of stress, fear, illness, or something to do with a senior cat.
If your cat is suddenly ignoring you, have them checked out by their veterinarian to rule out any medical issues and address any underlying causes of stress. Remember that all cats are unique and have different personalities, so don’t be offended if your cat is constantly ignoring you.
Also read: How to introduce a cat to a new home
frequently asked questions
What should I do if my cat ignores me?
If your cat ignores you, make sure they are not stressed or uncomfortable. Schedule a visit with your veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions and check for anything that might be causing them stress.
Is my cat ignoring me on purpose?
No, your cat is not ignoring you on purpose. Cats can ignore you for any number of reasons, including stress, illness, fear, old age, or it could just be their personality.
Why is my cat staying away from me?
It could be your cat’s personality, or they may not have been socialized since childhood. If this is a new behavior, schedule a veterinary checkup to rule out illness or stress.
Why is my cat ignoring me during the day?
Cats generally sleep during the day and are more active at dawn and dusk. If they’ve been like this all the time, it’s nothing to worry about. If this is a new behavior, have them checked by a veterinarian.
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