Anyone who has shared their home with a cat will no doubt have experienced a variety of ways in which their cat communicates with them. One of the common methods your cat may use is a tap from a paw. Your cat’s general behaviour may make the reason behind this immediately obvious, however, sometimes it may not be quite so clear what our cat is trying to tell us. So, for what reasons might your cat tap you with their paw?
Communication Through Touch
If we think about some of the ways that we seek the attention of someone close by, humans also use tapping as a method to engage with another person. In our case we might tap someone on the shoulder or touch them on their arm before talking to them. Cats also utilise touch for this purpose.
Cats may tap in different ways depending on what they are trying to communicate. A tap may be a single touch followed by a stare or a slowly repetitive tap until they get the response they want. It may progress to a claws-out tap, or it may involve kneading. Most cats will utilise the same types of touch for the same desires, and often owners can learn what these different touches mean to their cat in different circumstances.
Attention Seeking
Aside from the tap itself, looking at your cat’s overall body language and follow-up behaviour can help with interpreting the message they are giving you.
What else are they trying to tell you?
Facial expression and ear position are good ways to tell how relaxed or stimulated your cat is. If your cat has a relaxed face, and slow blinks with a steady gaze, they may just be seeking some affection. They may want a pat or rub, or they may be looking for closeness, and a desire to get onto your lap or sit next to you. Your cat may follow up a pat with a head bop (known as bunting) or roll over to confirm their desire for touch.
A longer type of paw tap is kneading
This is where your cat alternates splaying their toes against a surface then curling their toes back. It looks like they are kneading dough and is an instinctual hangover behaviour from when they were feeding from their mum as a kitten. Adult cats knead to prepare a comfortable bed, flattening down material in a spot before lying down. Some cats knead as a self-soothing behaviour if they are anxious. Many cats also do it when they are at their most comfortable and in their most at-ease state. So, if your cat is kneading you, it means they either want to lie on or against you, and that they feel safe being close with you.
Do they want something?
If the tap is followed by them walking away or looking away, they may be wanting you to provide something. Hungry cats or those wanting outside, will often pat first then lead you to the desired reward, such as their food bowl or an exit point such as the door or window. Sometimes, a cat may initially slow blink but rejects your attempt to pat them, stepping back or moving just out of reach. This usually means they want something but will only lead you there once you’ve made the first move to get up.
A Desire to be Left Alone
Where context can be important, is when your cat taps you to communicate that it wants you to stop the attention. If you are touching or stroking your cat and it uses their paw to push your hand away, they probably want you to stop. This may be because your cat likes closeness but not touch, or it may be that it deems your touch inappropriate for what it is asking for.
If your cat is normally receptive to touch but taps your hand away or pulls back, there may be a medical reason. If it is out of character for your cat to behave this way, or it seems unusually sensitive to touch, your cat may be sore or feeling unwell. If in doubt, or if there are other symptoms, then seek veterinary attention.
Paws and Claws
The downside of paw taps are if claws are involved. Cat claws are sharp and can be sore or wounding. Some cats knead with their claws which can be undesirable for an owner. As kneading is a normal bonding behaviour, it is best not to tell-off or discipline but rather redirect the affection in a more acceptable manner, such as stroking. Alternatively, ensure a blanket or other layer of protection covers your lap while your cat is on top of you.
Claws may also accompany a paw tap if the initial signal was ignored. You might find your cat wakes you up with a few paw taps first but progresses to claws if you don’t wake up fast enough. The video below is a great example of this!
Cat Man Do – Simon’s Cat | SHORTS #1
Other times, you might be pawed with claws if your cat is feeling mischievous and wants to play. In this case, your cat might respond to touch with a playful bite and bunny kick. This is an uncomfortable behaviour for most people, so if your cat paws you but looks wide-eyed or like it might pounce, it is best to redirect their energy and attention towards a toy. Playing with your cat is a good bonding experience for both of you, as well as an enrichment activity for your cat.
Hormones
The soles of cat paws contain pheromone (scent) glands. When they walk on surfaces or scratch posts and trees, they deposit some of this pheromone as a hormonal territory marker or claim of ownership. It is possible that when your cat paws you, and especially when it is kneading, that it is anointing you with some of this pheromone and claiming you as part of its territory.
If you have a young female cat that has not been neutered, pawing can be a part of their sexual display when they are in heat. When a female of breeding age is receptive to mating (from 6 months of age on average, but sometimes even earlier), they appear increasingly tactile, demanding and affectionate. They will paw and knead much more, usually combined with sticking their rear end up in the air to present it, and often with a variety of vocalisations. Unless mated, female cats will cyclically go through heat, more so during the months of the year with longer daylight hours. If you suspect that your cat is in heat, your veterinary team can advise on how to manage it, including arranging for her to be spayed.
Stretching
There is always the possibility that your cat paw tapped you by accident. Stretching is a regular activity of cats, especially after a nap or a period of inactivity. Their impressive flexibility means that they are capable of extending their body length quite far during a full body stretch. It may be that you were just a tad too close to your cat during a stretch, and they tapped you unintentionally in the process.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why your cat may tap you with their paw. For the most part, context and knowledge of your cat’s behaviour will help interpret the reason behind the behaviour. Affection, play, and attention seeking are the main reasons your cat likely touched you. Reciprocating with the desired response will likely stop it, although it may progress to claws if your cat gets overexcited with play or doesn’t think it got the appropriate reaction from you. If you are concerned that the pawing is out of character or associated with other unusual symptoms, then seek veterinary advice to ensure there are no underlying health conditions.
Further Reading:
How to keep a cat indoors safe and happy – Vet Help Direct
Why has my cat’s behaviour suddenly changed? – Vet Help Direct
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