Why is My Cat Suddenly So Affectionate?

why is my cat suddenly so affectionate

Cats are anomalies in the sense that sometimes they can be very affectionate and sometimes they can be extremely distant. Some cats are more affectionate by nature than others.

However, what can be weird is if you have a cat that is generally distant or unaffectionate, and then becomes very affectionate all of a sudden.

There is an explanation for this, or rather, there may be several reasons why this happens. So, why is my cat suddenly so affectionate?

It Wants Attention

One of the main reasons why your cat may be affectionate all of a sudden is because it is bored, lonely, and seeking attention. Some cats may become more or less social with age, and it all really depends on the cat in question. Maybe you are not spending enough time with your cat, petting it enough, and not playing with it enough.

While it may be willing to accept this situation for a certain amount of time, after a while, that loneliness and lack of attention is going to bubble over. The simplest explanation for a cat becoming super affectionate is because it needs you to pay more attention to it.

Separation Anxiety

Another main cause of cats becoming overly affectionate without warning, which can be true for dogs and other pets too, is due to separation anxiety.

This often occurs when owners are home often and spend a lot of time with their cats, and then all of a sudden, the owner gets a new job or a significant other, or anything else that takes them out of the home a lot.

If your cat is used to always being around you, and then all of a sudden you are not there a lot, it could just be that your cat is worried that you won’t return.

It’s not like a cat knows for sure that you will return. Their onset affection may be them showing you that they want to be with you and that they don’t like you being gone. They may be suffering from separation anxiety.

Anxiety and Insecurity

Yet another reason why a cat may suddenly become affectionate is due to anxiety. Just like humans, cats can also develop anxiety over time. There are many reasons why cats may be anxious, and it may simply be due to brain chemistry.

Some cats become more anxious with age, and sometimes it’s a natural occurrence, whereas other times this anxiety may be brought on by circumstances occurring in their environment.

Whatever the cause of the anxiety, the sudden onset affection could be your cat looking for security and reassurance. Simply put, the cat is scared or nervous, and being around a trusted human like you might make it feel safe.

A Sick Cat

Cats who are sick will often become reclusive and solitary, although this is not always the case. Sometimes when cats are sick, they may become more affectionate.

Now, this is not necessarily affection per se, but more of a way to get your attention. If your cat is seeking a lot of attention and meowing a lot, and especially if you notice other odd behavior, such as a lack of appetite, it could be that the cat is ill.

A Cat in Heat

The other explanation for this onset affection is if your cat is in heat. Female cats in heat may behave oddly. They’re looking for a mate and they might be telling you just that.

Conclusion

There are many reasons why a cat may become affectionate from one day to another, and no, usually it is not a sign of something good.

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