Why does my cat follow me everywhere?…and other feline behaviour explained.

When your cat trails you around the house, it’s often a sign of trust and companionship rather than clinginess. Many cats follow their humans because they feel safe in their company and simply want to be near them.  

Others may do it out of curiosity E.g. You’re cooking or doing something else they find interesting (we’ve heard cats nicknamed “the supervisor” as they often watch their owners doing DIY, gardening, or other chores around the house!). Others may associate your presence with rewards: meals, affection, playtime.  

Even the bathroom isn’t off-limits to some cats. If your cat comes in after you, there are a few likely reasons. They may dislike doors being closed and want to ensure no space is shut off from them. Or they simply want to stay near you as they find your presence reassuring (which is nice). Bathrooms can also have interesting features from a cat’s point of view like running water.  

Whether your cat follows you to the bathroom or other spots around the house, if the behaviour kicks in suddenly, comes with other signs of stress (being withdrawn, off their food etc) it may be worth a check-up. But in most cases, it’s just nice to know you’re your cat’s preferred person! 

For more information on cat contentment, read our guide on the signs your cat is happy. 

That gentle forehead bump your cat gives you is called “bunting” or head-butting. And it’s usually a gesture of friendship and trust. Cats have scent glands on their cheeks and head and when they bump you they’re marking you as part of their “group” or territory. By giving you a head-bump they’re saying you’re theirs, they know you, and they’re comfortable with you. It’s one of the nice ways cats show affection. 

When your cat closes their eyes in a slow, relaxed blink (the “slow blink”) it’s a strong sign of trust. There’s even research to back this up, showing that when cats slow blink at humans it’s a positive thing. Your cat is communicating that they feel safe in your presence and they’re comfortable with you. You can even try slow-blinking back - it’s like the feline version of a peaceful smile! 

If your cat presses their paws into you in that “kneading dough” kind of motion (or “making biscuits” as they call it in the US), they’re doing much more than looking cute. The behaviour originates from kittenhood, when kittens knead their mother’s belly to stimulate milk, and carries into adulthood as a comfort behaviour.  

Kneading signals contentment, affection and a sense of safety. It may also release feel-good neurotransmitters in the brain or serve to mark you with their scent - both of which reinforce the bond between you.  

When your cat rubs their side or head against your legs, it’s not just seeking a stroke (though that might be part of it), it’s also a scent-sharing moment. As mentioned, cats have scent glands on their cheeks and bodies and by brushing up against you they’re saying, “you belong to my group”. It’s both a social gesture and a territorial one - you’re part of the circle of trust! It’s usually a good sign of how your cat feels about you. 

At some point, you’ve no doubt seen your pet grabbing a stuffed toy (or a kid’s teddy) in its paws and kicking at it with its back-legs. This behaviour is rooted in their natural hunting instincts.  

In the wild, cats will often use their back legs to immobilise prey before the final pounce. In domestic life the toy becomes the practice prey and the kicking mimics this behaviour. It’s healthy and normal, so long as the target is a toy and not your hands or feet! 

Providing this sort of interactive play can help channel their instincts safely – particularly for indoor cats with lots of energy. For more tips on how to mentally stimulate your indoor cat, you can read our handy guide. 

When you’re stroking your cat and they suddenly arch their back this is generally a sign of pleasure. The arch allows them to lean into your hand, stretch the back muscles and enjoy the scratch or stroke. It’s a sign they trust you and enjoy the attention.  

However, if the arch comes with a flicking tail, flattened ears or a shift in body tension, it could be signal of overstimulation or that they’ve had enough - so take note of their limits and give them some space. 

When your cat flops on their side or flips over and rolls around this often means they feel safe, relaxed and open to interaction. Showing the belly is a vulnerable pose, so when your cat does this they’re signalling comfort in your presence. Rolling may also help spread their scent, mark their territory and invite play or attention. As long as they don’t look distressed or exposed and avoid suddenly tensing up, rolling is usually a good, happy thing. 

This rolling behaviour can even happen on concrete or other hard surfaces around your home like a patio or driveway. While it can look a bit strange (and uncomfortable!) to humans, there could be good reasons for it. For example, the texture may help them scratch an itch, shed old fur, or enjoy a surface that holds a bit of warmth in the sun (or coolness in the shade). It can also serve as a scent-marking surface - tough surfaces typically hold their scent more permanently.  

Often called the “zoomies” (dog owners will be familiar!), sudden bursts of movement can reflect pent-up energy, predatory instincts or the fact your cat’s simply enjoying moving about. Just make sure your cat has opportunities to explore, climb, stretch and play to channel that energy safely. 

More information 

Most of the behaviours here show your cat’s comfort, trust and instinct. But if you ever notice a significant change in their behaviour (a trusted behaviour becomes absent, or a new behaviour seems obsessive or painful) it’s always worth checking in with your vet just to be safe.  

And for more information on cat behaviour and wellbeing, we have a range of guides and useful advice, including: