Are you sitting down wondering, “Why is my cat walking in circles around me?”
This is a question many cat owners ask and it can be a fascinating sight at first. Just the idea of having your cat walking around in circles and not knowing what it means.
However, it’s important to get to the bottom of this right away. In some cases, your cat walking in circles may be a sign of an underlying health issue.
This article is going to take a look at answering the question, “Why is my cat walking in circles around me?” and what the root cause is. Having this information is beneficial, especially if your cat appears to do this multiple times throughout the day.
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Why Is My Cat Walking In Circles Around Me?
Excited to See You
Is the cat’s tail upwards and pointing in your direction? Is the cat taking time to rub against your legs as you stand there?
This may be a sign of them being excited to see you.
Cats will often show excitement through physical and/or verbal cues such as circling around another member of their family. In this case, you would be that entity and they will want to show you a little bit of affection.
Don’t be puzzled by this because it’s common in all cat breeds.
The idea is to circle around you while being excited and each cat is going to do this in a unique way. Simply pay attention to their tail and whether or not it’s pointed in your direction. If it is, you are most likely dealing with a happy cat that wants to be around you!
There is nothing to be concerned about if this is the case, especially if you are constantly asking “Why is my cat walking in circles around me?”
Asserting Dominance
Some cats will attempt to dominate another cat.
In this case, you are going to be the other cat! When this happens, the cat is going to start to circle around you in an attempt to show its superiority. This may continue several times and the idea is to simply block your path.
If this happens, you will want to nip the problem in the bud and assert yourself. It’s the only way to showcase your superiority in this relationship.
How do you go about taking care of this problem before it spirals out of control?
In general, you are going to want to use a sharp tone and make sure the cat realizes your presence. Please note, this doesn’t mean you get physical with the cat as that is inappropriate and unnecessary!
In some cases, cat owners will often let this behavior continue for a little bit. Unfortunately, this isn’t the right response as the cat is only going to assume you’ve accepted the hierarchy. When this happens, they are going to show signs of physicality that could lead to injury on your end.
Vestibular Disease
This is a disease that cats are known to suffer from especially as they begin aging.
Vestibular disease refers to a condition where the cat’s inner ear becomes inflamed. This causes the cat to walk around in circles, droop to one side, and simply not be able to do the things that are normal for cats (i.e. jumping, walking, running).
In some cats, this disease is noted for being a part of their genetic makeup. It’s best to read up about your cat’s breed and figure out whether or not they may be likely to suffer from vestibular disease.
If this is what is going on, you may not have to visit the vet. In most cases, the disease is going to pass on within 24-48 hours depending on the cat. However, it’s recommended to speak to your vet and get a full checkup as a precautionary measure.
Head Injury
This is one of those surprising answers that have to be mentioned when it comes to answering the question “Why is my cat walking in circles around me?”
A head injury occurs when a cat bumps against something or falls from a height. If the head gets knocked at the right angle, they will start to show signs such as walking around in circles around the home.
Just like humans, cats can also get concussions which leads to severe disorientation and/or pain. When this occurs, the cat will start walking around in circles or looking like it isn’t stable while moving from point A to point B. In some situations, the cat may not be able to stand up due to how its head feels.
As soon as you start noticing this symptom, it is time to visit the vet for a complete checkup. They will take a detailed x-ray to see what is going on inside the head and whether or not there’s swelling.
Based upon what they see, the vet will provide the answers needed to help your cat heal.
Ear Infection
Some cats end up getting ear infections and this becomes evident after a while.
What should you be looking for when it comes to an ear infection? Are there specific symptoms that are associated with ear infections in cats?
A common symptom is for the cat to start drooling from one side of the mouth due to the pain in its ear. Another symptom involves lacking the ability to eat, especially when that is not normal behavior.
If your cat is walking around in circles and showing one or two of these symptoms, it is often going to be an ear infection. If that is the case, it’s highly recommended to visit your local vet for a complete checkup.
It’s important to note, you should never leave this condition untreated assuming it will heal on its own!
When the bacteria remain inside the ear canal for long periods, they will lead to permanent damage that could hamper the cat’s quality of life. For example, the cat may never have 100% motor coordination for the rest of its life.
This is why it’s best to stop asking “Why is my cat walking in circles around me?” and head straight for the vet’s clinic as soon as possible.
Final Thoughts
This is the answer to your question “Why is my cat walking in circles around me?”
In the end, it can be down to a variety of reasons making it important to analyze your cat’s behavior. Is your cat walking in circles because you just came from outside? Or is the cat doing this even when you are at home for long periods?
It is these identifying variables that can determine whether it is an illness or more of a greeting/dominance tactic.
Just like finding a dependable cat harness for traveling, choosing the right scratching post for kittens, or finding a good heating pad, you have to make sure everything works out for your cat. In this regard, you have to analyze their behavior and find out what is going on immediately.
Don’t assume this behavior will go away on its own because it won’t!