Cat wants to be petted constantly – what to do next

A sudden change in behavior is always a cause of concern, even when it involves a more affectionate behavior such as wanting to be petted constantly. Here’s what you should consider next.

Check for stress

While it’s unlikely, you may want to just check that the cat is not stressed out. Some cats may seek nonstop attention from you when they have a buildup of anxiety. In addition to wanting to be petted constantly, they may exhibit concerning behaviors such as hiding in hard-to-reach places, acting lethargic, or scratching things they normally wouldn’t touch, such as the furniture. Separation anxiety may also occur if you leave the cat on its own for too long.

Personality shifts

Some cats go through personality shifts as they get older. For example, some cat owners have shared anecdotes of their cats wanting more pets as they reach a senior age. There is nothing more to said other than to enjoy all the affection! While it may be inconvenient sometimes, consider yourself lucky as other cat owners have had to live with cats that are extremely independent and hate being touched.

Boredom

Your cat may suddenly want pets all the time if they get bored. Make sure the cat gets plenty of playtime. You should ideally have at least two play sessions a day and rotate the cat toys so they never get bored of the same one. There are plenty of fun options such as interactive cat toys and cat tunnels.