Why does my cat run ahead of me?
A cat will run in front of humans as a way to guide them. It’s a sign of asserting themselves and to ensure there are no changes in direction when walking.
It’s essential to nip this problem in the bud because it can worsen. Certain cats are going to want to “dominate” and that can mean doing things that include walking in front of you.
If you are asking, “Why does my cat run ahead of me?” it’s best to start focusing on specific signs that indicate what’s going on. It’s best to pay attention to these things when it comes to your overall relationship with the cat.
The signs can include:
- Constantly Pawing at You
- Biting
- General Signs of Aggression
A cat is going to try to assert itself in most relatinoships. It’s normal for this to happen but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to accept it.
The goal is to make sure you are the dominant individual in the relationship with your cat. Otherwise, you are going to see significant misbehavior throughout the day and it’s going to become difficult to tolerate.
This guide is going to help answer the question, “Why does my cat run ahead of me?” along with what a cat owner should do when it comes to stopping this type of behavior.
Table of Contents
Best Cat Toy for Cats (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
No products found.
Tips On How To Stop Cat From Walking In Front Of You
Tip #1 – Train Your Cat
Training your cat is a good option and it’s something that will lead to long-term results.
A cat isn’t going to know when it’s misbehaving, which means you are going to have to let it know. The best way of doing this is creating a consistant training regimen to go through with the cat.
This is going to allow the cat to understand the relationship and where it stands in the hierarchy.
The benefits include:
- Keeping the Cat Happy
- Building a Stronger Relationship
- Making Sure the Problems Don’t Come Back
When cat owners start asking questions such as “Why does my cat run ahead of me?” it’s time to start thinking about what to do next.
You can’t let this behavior continue because that is going to harm the relationship and it’s going to cause the cat to get bolder with its tactics.
Instead, just start training the cat and assert your dominance in this manner.

Tip #2 – Speak Loudly and Firmly
When you are asking questions such as “Why does my cat run ahead of me?” it’s important to speak loudly.
This is how you are going to see good results and the cat will know it’s wrong. When you are not taking the time to do this, you are not going to be able to assert your dominance.
Speaking loudly and firmly is a way to admonish the cat.
The cat needs to know you are stronger and one of the best ways of doing this is through a loud voice.
In the wild, a stronger cat would do this as a way to dominate the others.
If you take the time to use a loud voice, you are going to see it work on the cat too.
Tip #3 – Stop the Bad Behavior Immediately
Bad behavior is never a good thing and it’s not something you should ever accept.
Don’t assume you can let things continue as they are and they will get better. Instead, you have to take action and stop the bad behavior right away.
This means finding ways to stop the cat from walking in front of you.
Each situation is going to be different when you are asking “Why does my cat run ahead of me?” but the goal remains to act quickly.
The more you wait, the worse things are going to get.
It’s better to stay focused and implement a proper strategy as soon as possible.

Tip #4 – Work on it Daily
This is not going to change overnight.
You will have to realize it’s a long-term play and one that you are going to have to work on diligently. As long as you are putting in the hard work, your cat’s behavior is going to change.
Continue to work on the training regimen and don’t skip a day.
It is these changes that are going to yield the best results.
Final Thoughts
Why does my cat run ahead of me?
A cat that is running ahead of you will want to lead the way. It’s a simple strategy and one that is used by different animals including dogs.
You have to nip this problem in the bud and make sure it’s done with authority. Of course, this doesn’t mean you hit your cat!
You want to use your voice and the strategies listed in this guide. As long as you do this, the results are going to come the way you want them to.
Here are more articles to train your cat – Reasons for a cat grabbing your arm, how to get a cat to stop spitting out food, how to get a cat to be more loving, and how to stop a cat from walking in circles.