Cats are always alert and highly conscious about their environment. Their natural habitat does not allow them to divert focus from the predator. The home cat follows similar rules when they are eating. They feel safe when their owner is around them. Owners’ presence makes them feel safe.
Why do cats want you to walk them to their food?
Cat wants you to walk them to their food when they feel unsafe. They want companions around them who can protect them when a predator attacks. But, while eating, their attention span reduces.
House cats still think that predators will come from behind and attack them. So for safety, the cat wants you to stay around them while eating their food. This way, the cat can enjoy their meal in a comfortable environment.
You will notice, if you get busy and move away from the cat while they have food, the cat will stop eating and start looking around.
The cat will produce a meow sound to get back to the eating area. Cat wants you to stay close to them all the time when they are eating and not roam here and there. Protect them when they eat.
Another reason why your cat wants you to stay close is that they are having issues with the food served on their plate.
For example, the food might have spoiled; it might have something like an insect. When the cat finds an issue with the food, they will start making a meow noise while eating and communicating with the owner about the lousy food taste or smell.
They want your assurance that the food is fresh and will not harm their health. If you find such unusual behavior in your cat, take the spoon and stir it in front of the cat, letting them know that the food is good and can eat them. It will encourage the cat to finish their food even if they doubt it.
Why does my cat want me to pet her while she eats?
Cat love to getting pet by their owner or someone they knew. They feel comfortable when the owner is around. You might have seen they enjoy the petting done by her mom. The cat brain is designed to stay alert and keep itself away from the predator.
Cat is always afraid of the noise and activities happening around them. So even if they keep them in a safe home, they will spend their time listening to the noise and watching whatever they hear inside the room.
The human company makes the cat more comfortable. They feel safe around the human. They start believing that you are there to protect them if something goes wrong or someone attacks them. Affection is what cats love to get from the people around them.
They like to eat when someone is around. It drops their anxiety level, and they become relaxed in the room. Petting also encourages the cat to live a happy life.
When the cat starts believing they are safe around you, they develop a strong bond with you. The cat will start gaining weight as they become more comfortable and eat more.
If you have a house cat and want them to live healthy lives and eat the required nutritional food, then spend time with them while eating. Use your bond with your cat to relieve them from stress. Let your cat know that you are there to protect them.
Should I pet my cat while eating?
Yes. If your cat feels comfortable when you pet them while eating, you should do it. Petting is the way to show affection towards your cat. Your cat will appreciate it and will make her finish her food. Also, petting reduces the stress of your cat.
When you are around, the pet finds themselves protected. Cat needs someone around them they can trust. The cat comes in its natural state and starts looking around for any sign of a predator as soon as you leave the room.
Why does my cat want me to follow her?
There are many reasons why a cat may develop a specific habit that may appear unusual to the owner. For example, as the cat starts growing their territory in the home, they find you their companion who will stay with them and protect them from the predator. Remember, your cat is a wild animal.
They still have their ancestor brain working in the head that makes them follow their ancient old practices. When you are around, the cat feels safe. They try to use you to protect themselves.
It is a good sign that the cat has built a strong bond with your cat, and now your cat feels safe around you. Whenever they have some routine activities to perform, they will try to take you with them.
Why does my cat want me to watch him eat?
Cat wants to avoid being in a dangerous situation or any vulnerability while they are eating. Cat generally closes their eyes while eating, which makes them less alert about their surroundings. The only way they can assure their safety is by having someone around to whom they can trust.
If your cat wants to stay with them while eating, it is a good sign that the cat might have developed a strong bond with you. They find themselves in the safe zone.
The cat believes you are a trustworthy person, and you will save them if anyone attacks them. It makes the cat feel comfortable so they can finish their food.
Here are some of the common reasons why the cat wants you to watch them while eating.
1. Trust
The cat has developed strong affection with you that now has converted into trust. You are the live saver for them, and they can rely on you.
2. Habit
Cat love to be around someone while they are eating. Wild animals are always afraid of any random attack while they are eating. Because this is the time when they cannot see behind or any noise could be blocked. So the eating position is very vulnerable to them.
The old habit is still preserved in the brain, which makes them uncomfortable while eating food. So they like to have their owner stay around while they complete their eating.
3. Threat or fear
Cat always feel threatened by something. It can be noise or any walking sound around the home. The wild animal stays alert about their environment. They feel predators will attack them and kill them if they are not agile. Therefore, they put all the responsibility on you for their protection while they are eating. If no one is around, the cat will not eat and avoid the food until it comes back close to them
4. Illness
Illness is not a common issue but might have developed in the cat, making them uncomfortable while having food. The cat might find them vulnerable to the environment.
They might feel they cannot protect themselves when they are ill. Check for the cat’s body language. If you find any symptoms in the cat, immediately take your cat to the veteran.
