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How To Get A Cat To Leave You Alone – 11 Tips

How To Get A Cat To Leave You Alone – 11 Tips

Cats are great pets for so many reasons. They are lively and fun, and they bring so much joy into your home. However, have you ever found yourself frustrated with how much attention your cat wants? Whether you are trying to work at home, cook dinner, or even sleep, cats tend to want always to be involved. As much as you love them, sometimes you might find yourself wondering how to get your cat to leave you alone!

To get your cat to leave you alone, get to the root of why your cat is clingy and demanding. To start, ask yourself if all of your cat’s needs are being met. Figure out if your cat is extra needy before they are fed, or if they are following you around because they need more playtime during the day. If you know your cat’s needs are being met and your cat is still seeking attention, it is time to take further action.

Get Into A Routine With Your Cat

Sometimes cats can be extra needy when they are confused or thrown out of their typical routine. This can happen if you have recently moved, keep an erratic schedule, or made a significant life change, such as introducing a new person into the home.

Cats thrive on routine, so try to maintain a similar schedule when possible with their feedings and activities. Your cat will learn over time when they can expect mealtime or when you will go to sleep, and this will help relieve any anxiety they may have.

Make A Loud Noise

Some cats are more skittish than others, but they are not fans of loud noises in general. If you are trying to train your cat to avoid specific behavior, dropping a heavy book or talking in a loud voice can spook a cat.

Of course, you do not want to antagonize your cat, but repeatedly making a noise they do not like is an effective way to train your cat; you do not want them to act a certain way. Over time they will begin to associate the loud noise with the unwanted behavior, and they should stop acting that way.

Avoid Giving Your Cat Table Scraps

If you start the habit of giving your cat table scraps, they will come to expect extra food from you. If you find you have a very food-motivated cat, it is even more vital to ensure that you avoid giving your cat scraps of food.

Once you begin this behavior, your cat may beg or act more desperate around you as he or she will always be on the quest to get more food! The best practice is only to feed your cat at designated mealtimes to avoid starting the begging behavior.

Give Your Cat The Silent Treatment

It may feel mean to ignore your beloved animal, but it is possible to give your cat too much attention. Overstimulation for cats can lead to them developing other behavioral problems. You want to make sure you are spending enough quality time with your cat every day that they feel loved, but beyond that, it is ok to tell them no.

If you find your cat will not leave you alone after you have paid them attention, avoid making eye contact with your cat, and ignore them. Over time when your cat does not get a response from you, they will move on.

Do Not Be Afraid To Set Boundaries

Especially in the current world, there may be times while you are working or studying from home where you cannot have your cat distracting you. Do not be afraid to set boundaries with your cat.

It is smart to have your workspace set up in a room where you can shut the door or keep your cat confined to a different part of your house while you need to work.

Bring Home Another Pet

If you are gone for long hours during the day, your cat may be extra needy because they feel lonely when you are not home. While this will not be a solution for everyone, your cat’s behavior might significantly improve if you adopt a second animal.

Whether it be a kitten, a grown adult cat, or even another animal type, most cats enjoy having a companion at home with them. There may be an adjustment period at first, but bringing home another pet gives your cat someone else to play with, and will take some of the pressure off of you to constantly entertain your cat.

Have Good Distractions On Hand For Your Cat

While this might be the most obvious solution to this problem, it is also one of the most effective. Cats can entertain themselves with various toys- from a cardboard box to a piece of string. You certainly don’t need to spend a lot of money to create toys that will keep your cat busy and entertained.

Check To Make Sure Your Cat Is Healthy

If your cat’s clingy behavior came on very suddenly, there is a chance it could be related to a medical issue. Since your cat cannot talk to communicate with you, they might be extra needy because they are trying to show you that something is wrong 

Inspect their fur and look for any splinters, burrs, or abnormalities that might be causing them pain. If their behavior continues, you may want to consider bringing your cat to their vet for a check-up to ensure they are in good health.

Additionally, cats have even been known to detect illness in humans as well. Your cat could be trying to let you know that something is off 

Make A Special Cat Sanctuary In Your House

Is your cat bugging you because they have nowhere cozy to relax? Cats need a lot of sleep each day, and if they are not comfortable, this could be throwing off their routine. Ensure your cat has a comfortable bed or corner of your home that is their personal private retreat.

Encourage and praise your cat when they spend time there. This will reinforce that spending time in their bed or a particular spot is an encouraged behavior. Over time, your cat will hopefully go to that spot on their own when they want peace and quiet.

Feed Your Cat Frequently 

Double-check on your cat’s food bag and with your vet that you are feeding your cat the recommended serving size for each meal. At different ages and stages in your cat’s life, they may need adjustments to their feeding dosages. It could be that your cat won’t leave you alone because they are trying to let you know they are extra hungry. Thankfully if this is the case, this is a super easy fix!

Spray A Smell Your Cat Does Not Like

If your cat doesn’t leave you alone while you are in one room, in particular, consider purchasing a pet spray for that area. There are certain scents that cats cannot stand, and if you spray your desk or an office chair with a pet spray, that should guarantee your cat will stay far away.

While it can be very cute to have your furry friend follow you everywhere you go, there are times where this behavior is far from convenient. It is good to have an idea of how to break this behavior to ensure you do not end up angry and frustrated with your cat. Make a strategy for changing your cat’s behavior, and we guarantee both you and your cat will be much happier!