Does your cat greet you every time you enter the home by rubbing against your legs and meowing? If so, they’re not only saying hello but also marking their territory.
Cats typically rub up against inanimate objects such as sofas, chairs, tables, etc. It’s standard behavior in felines caused by many different reasons so don’t worry if your male or female cat is rubbing on everything and meowing.
Cats will use their smell to mark and identify the areas and things that they consider theirs, including their pet parents. They’re territorial, so this shouldn’t surprise you.
In today’s article, I will explain some of the most common reasons your cat rubs up against everything aside from marking territory and claiming ownership over you, so let’s dive right in.
Why Does My Cat Walk Around Constantly Meowing and Rubbing
Cats rub against everything and meow because that’s their way of transferring their scents to different objects and marking territories.
If your cat meows while rubbing against a piece of furniture or wall or rolling around on their back, they also feel secure in your presence.
As I already explained, cats mark their territories. That’s why they rub up against the objects in their home or their owners in the first place.
You can’t detect the smell they leave behind. However, other cats do and that’s how they communicate with each other out on the streets.
Now, let’s take a closer look at other possible reasons why your cat walks around constantly meowing and rubbing against everything.
1. Kittens Meow When They’re Feeling Playful
If your female or male cat keeps meowing and rubbing against everything, they probably need time with you. Felines also need quality time for playing and grooming with their humans, so don’t ignore your cat. Schedule time for playing every day.
2. Your Cat Rubs Against Your Feet When They’re Hungry
Why do cats rub against things? Sometimes, cats meow and rub against everything and/or walk around when they’re hungry.
So, if you notice this behavior in your cat, they’re probably asking for food, however, what if it’s not feeding time?
Well, hungry cats become very stubborn, so they won’t stop meowing until you give them food. However, you can easily train your feline not to meow a lot when hungry by not giving in to their demands every single time.
Instead, wait until they become quiet, then provide the food. Your pet will hopefully learn that being quiet means feeding time.
Moreover, always provide toys for cats for your feline to play with when you leave it alone. I usually provide interactive toys such as puzzle boards and rollerball toys, as they also train their noggin.
Alternatively, install a bird feeder outside your cat’s favorite window. That way, your cat will watch the birds fly around and won’t feel lonely.
3. Is Your Female Cat Spayed?
If you have an unspayed female cat, they will probably meow loudly and rub against everything every time they’re in heat. It’s their way of displaying that they’re ready for mating.
If you’ve been asking yourself the question why my cat is in heat and won’t shut up, there’s a reason for it.
For the owners who don’t know already, heat is the time in a feline’s estrous cycle in which they’re fertile and can become pregnant. So, during their period, female cats will look for a male cat to mate with.
Female cats typically go into their first heat within their first year of life and each period lasts about 6 days. And if your female cat isn’t pregnant at this point, she will go out of heat about 3 weeks before going back into heat and the estrous cycle keeps on going.
Luckily for the cat owners, their heat cycles don’t last all year round. Instead, they’re seasonal and heavily depend on their geographic location. (*)
For instance, if you reside in the Northern Hemisphere, your feline will usually enter the heat cycle between March and September. However, if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, they will enter the heat cycle between September and March.
Why Is My Cat Meowing So Much During Heat?
It’s pretty obvious. Your cat’s trying to get the attention of all the available male cats in the neighborhood. They’re ready to breed and they won’t shut up about it.
Her loud and consistent meowing ensures the attention of all the Tomcats nearby so don’t worry about it. She’s just “calling” for a male cat to come and mate with her.
Some cat owners mistake the “calling” for their cats being in pain. Moreover, if your feline meows at the door, she probably wants to get out and breed.
She already knows she’s got all the boys in the yard, so by meowing at the door or window, she’s trying to communicate with them and have you release her.
Why Do Cats Rub on the Floor in Heat?
Cats also rub on the floor, other objects in the home, and their owners when they’re in heat because of hormonal changes during ovulation.
These changes cause females to become much more loving towards everyone and everything. They start rubbing themselves against their owners and other objects in their homes more than usual. It’s their way of showing affection.
However, it’s also their way of transferring pheromones onto surfaces. The changes in hormones during the estrus cycle cause the pheromones to change their odor.
So rubbing against everything helps your cat spread her new odor in the home. She does this for two possible reasons. Firstly, felines like to be surrounded by their own scent because it makes them feel safe.
Secondly, the pheromones send a smell massage to male cats that the females want to breed. So, spreading their scent by rubbing against people and items is also a way of communicating with other cats.
4. They’re Seeking Attention
Most cat owners know that meowing is a way of communication between felines, but what they don’t know is that cats also meow to communicate with their humans.
So, if your cat meows at you and rubs against your feet, they’re probably looking for attention and love, especially if their non-stop vocalization is directed toward you.
Rubbing up against their owners is a way felines require attention. Sometimes, they also rub their faces on humans. This is known as “bunting” and it’s the equivalent of a warm hug in the feline world as they can’t actually hug.
Therefore, if you get a head butt from your cat, they’re asking for a hug. If you think your feline wants attention, don’t just ignore them but spend some time together.
Most cats aren’t social as they’re independent, but they still need love and attention.
5. Excessive Meowing and Rubbing Can Indicate Anxiety
Cats often act fearless and independent, but they’re very cautious animals that can get freaked out and threatened by even small changes in their home.
Anxiety isn’t anything new in cats. (*)
Some cats will feel temporarily anxious because of changes in their environment while others will experience severe and permanent anxiety.
Some of the things that cause mild anxiety in cats include:
- Changing homes
- Having new humans and/or animals in their home
- Changing the type of cat food or litter you use
- Not having a clean litter box
- New and loud noises such as fireworks
- Other animals stepping into their territory
- Tension with other felines
Cats that aren’t used to the changes above initially see them as threats and develop anxiety as a response. However, once the stress triggers have been removed or your kitten has accepted the new environment, their anxiety will cease.
Severe and permanent anxiety, on the other hand, is different. Cats with permanent anxiety anticipate danger even when there’s no “danger” nearby.
Some of the things that cause severe anxiety in cats include:
- Traumatic past experiences
- Age-related neurological conditions
- Painful injuries and physical diseases
- Poor socialization when they’re still young
- Experiencing separation from owners
Why Do Cats With Anxiety Keep Meowing?
As I already explained, meowing is a way of communication between cats and other cats as well as between cats and their owners.
Furthermore, cats meow when they feel stressed and anxious as they’re looking for reassurance from their owners. Their loud and consistent meowing means that they need extra care.
Also, depending on the severity of their anxiety, they can feel sick and unwell.
So, if your cat meows non-stop, they might be showing that they’re feeling sick. And since they perceive you as their family, they want you to know that there’s something wrong, so that you can assist.
Why Do Cats With Anxiety Keep Rubbing Against Everything?
If your feline has anxiety and they rub against objects and meow excessively, this behavior is associated with their pheromones and scent communication.
When cats with anxiety smell their own scent through their pheromones, they feel safer. The pheromones come from scent glands on the chin, ears, temples, and paws. And when your cat rubs anything with any of these areas, they transfer their scent onto objects and humans.
Anxious cats will add their scent to as many household items in their home as possible, including your bookcase, dining room table, doorway, chairs, etc.
The more they rub on different things around their home, the safer and calmer they will feel due to the pheromones released in the environment that lower their anxiety and stress.
Overall, a cat rub is a very common anti-stress mechanism in felines.
How to Help My Anxious Cat?
If your cat has anxiety, here’s a list of several things you should and shouldn’t do to help them feel less anxious:
- Provide hiding and relaxing spots for your feline where they can hide and chill when they feel anxious and stressed.
- When they’re not hiding, provide lots of cuddles so they can feel loved, safer, and comfortable.
- Install a pheromone diffuser to spread a calming and relaxing scent into their environment.
- Give your kitten a few toys so they can feel entertained when they’re alone.
- Keep the radio or TV on when you’re not home so your cat feels amused and comforted in a way.
- Introduce any changes including other animals to your cat gradually.
- Don’t punish your feline for any stress-related behavior such as meowing and rubbing against everything as this will make your pet feel even worse.
- Never lock your anxious cat in one room as this will worsen their anxiety.
- Contact your vet as they can provide veterinary advice and possible treatment.
Why is My Cat Rubbing on the Floor and Meowing?
Typically, cats meow and rub on the floor when they’re feeling itchy, playful, or in need of a good stretch after resting.
In some cases, the rolling on the floor is accompanied by meowing, purring, rubbing their head against the floor, stretching, etc.
No matter the reason, it’s a good sign. Your cat rolls on the floor because they feel safe and look for more attention.
Moreover, cats usually have a higher body temperature, so rubbing on cool floors as well as drinking water helps them cool down.
Felines also protect their digestive system by rolling around in the dirt. They actually gather bacteria on their coat, then lick it.
Final Thoughts
If you’re certain that your female cat doesn’t need more attention and playing time, and isn’t hungry or anxious, but they’re still meowing and rubbing against everything, they’re probably in heat and looking for a partner.
In this case, they will continue their erratic behavior for about a week or so, or until they breed. And if you don’t want a screaming cat in your home or small kittens, I highly suggest that you have her neutered while she’s still in heat.
Experts say that neutering can prevent breast cancer and urethral infection among many other diseases in cats, so definitely consider this option and ask for veterinary advice. However, keep in mind that this procedure comes with risks, so ask for expert advice and guidance.
Lastly, don’t forget about regular check-ups to maintain the good health of your furry friend.
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*image by dinesh9500102400/depositphotos