There can be a lot of reasons why your cat may put their paw out towards you or hold their paw up. There could be some social reasons, or there could also be possible medical reasons. Fortunately, it is very easy to identify if you have a possible medical issue.
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Possible Paw Injuries and Other Medical Issues
When your cat reaches his paw towards you, examine if there is torn or cut. Check also if the pads are worn too low or if there’s anything stuck in the paws. If you see blood anywhere, try to check if your cat has a strained tendon or a torn muscle.
The tendon of cats can be a very sensitive part of his anatomy. It is responsible for holding their claw in place. As a matter of fact, even if your cat is declawed, you might still need to worry about it.
Other Theories Why Your Cat is Reaching Up His Paw
He Wants to Show You “Cat Love”
Cats also use physical touch just like us in order to show their affection to people and other cats. If you cuddled with your cat on the couch and he reaches out his paw to touch you, then it can be a sign that your cat is showing you love.
This is especially true if your kitty is also purring loudly during that time.
According to experts, if your cat sits close to you, reach his paw out to you, and blinks his eyes slowly at you, it means he is showing you some love. So, if your cat gently reaches out his paw to touch your face, it is a sign of your cat friend’s love.
He Tries to Get You Up
Whenever you have a peaceful sleep in the morning but interrupted by your cat’s tiny paws on your face, then he may be trying to wake you up. Most likely, your cat just wants to be fed. If you want to stop this “kitty alarm clock: from interrupting your deep sleep, make sure you placed enough food in his dish before you go to bed. In that way, he can just eat as he likes throughout the night. Aside from that, he will not wake you up in the morning in order to get his meal.
Another thing you can use is a timed automatic cat feeder. You can fill up the automatic feeder’s compartment with dry food during the night and it will be opened automatically in the morning.
He Wants to Snuggle Up to You
Kitties like to sleep beside their owners when they feel secure around you. Aside from the fact that he wants to show you love, this type of sleeping habit also tells you that your cat trusts you. This is especially true since cats are considered vulnerable when they’re asleep.
Video: Things your Cat is Saying to you
Common Questions About Why Cats Reach Out Their Paws
Most of the time, if you’re relaxed, your cat will approach you and stretch his paw out to softly touch your face. Your cat is gently reaching out to you hoping that you will brush him, pet him, and show him more affection.
Also, if one of the sleeping positions of your cat includes stretching out his paws while he sleeps as well as touches your face in the process, then it’s a sign that he loves you and trusts you.
According to experts, cats have scent glands that can be found in the bottom part of their feet. Most of the time, they use it in order to claim their territory. So, if your cat reaches out his paws to you and touches your face or kneads on you, then he might be putting his scent on you because you are his favorite. This is his way of showing you how much he adores you.
There’s always an element of stretching which plays a role in the “reaching out behavior” of your cat. The reason is when a cat reaches his paw, it’s always preceded by, or accompanied by, his full-body stretch. Thus, the paw he’s reaching out is like an extension of stretching, like a cat used to if do he’s scratching something.
For cats, scratching is very relaxing and it’s a positive behavior for them to engage in. So, if your cat is stretching out in front of you, it can be a sign that he is just relaxing and conditioning his body, just like what humans do. To sum it all, it’s also a sign that you make your cat feel content knowing that he’s comfortable and relaxed.
The reason your cat paws your face might eighter be because he wants to play or because he wants to cuddlle with you. On the other hand it can also be because he has had enough of you, and want you face further away from you.
Conclusion
Whenever your cat reaches out his paws to you, he might just want to give you some love or he wants to play or to be pet. Most of the time, your cat may reach out his paws to you with claws in or out in order to indicate his desire for attention.
If you think there are other reasons why your cat reaches out his paw to you, consult with your trusted veterinarian in order to find a medical reason as well as to discuss complicated behavioral or emotional issues.
Bear in mind that cats are more independent than dogs. So, they are less affectionate at times, and their only way showing you some love might be less obvious compared to what dogs can do. It’s easier to misinterpret the behavior of your cat, but his paw reaching out pattern to touch you is a huge sign of affection.
