Why Does My Cat Want Me To Watch Her Eat?
Why Does My Cat Want Me To Watch Her Eat?

Why Does My Cat Want Me To Watch Her Eat?

Why Does My Cat Want Me To Watch Her Eat?

Cats are strangely adorable pets even though they are pretty skilled at hunting themselves.

While most animals prefer to be left alone while they eat, our furry friends seem to love having their favorite humans around. It may seem odd but behaviors like this are pretty common in domestic cats.

In this article, we're going to dive deep into why your cat might want you to watch her eat.

Why does my cat want me to watch her eat?

Habit Since Childhood

feeding a cat

Like humans and most animals, young kittens are highly impressionable and much of their adult life is influenced by their exposures during early kittenhood.

If you used to hold young kittens in your lap and hand-feed them, that's what your cat will expect. It's normal for them to want to see you while they eat because that's what they're used to.

Safety

Cats are most vulnerable when they sleep and feed. So, it's natural for them to want company and comfort knowing that you're right there.

cat feeling safe

The affection-seeking behavior also serves a major role in their survival.

When cats are young, they aren't very strong and cannot defend themselves, so they stick to thier mother for protection as well as food. The cute behavior for reassurance is very helpful for the cats to get free food and a safe place to say!

Trauma

If your cat has experienced trauma in the past, it can resurface in the form of fear of abandonment and rejection.

Your beloved kitty can see you throughout the day and feels safe and loved thanks to that. They may feel abandoned when they don't see you while eating. So, they want to make sure you aren't going anywhere.  

cat eating favorite food

In a way, a kitty just wants to eat her favorite food in peace, knowing full well that nothing can hurt her if you're there.

A Sign Of Trust

cat trusts human

Cats share food with their pals in the wild. Animals like dogs and wolves also care for weaker members of the pack.

You may have noticed your kitty trying to smell your human food while you eat. Sometimes, cats also place their bowl of food near you so they can savor their treat while watching you.

Cats are very vulnerable while resting or taking a bite of food, so having you nearby also serves as a protection.

So, while your kitty wanting you nearby when eating food may not necessarily mean that your cat wants you to eat that food, it certainly means that they trust you!

Is She Ill?

Cats can get especially needy when they're experiencing pain or discomfort.

If your cat feels difficulty swallowing during meal time, your cat may be signaling that something's wrong. If you pay a little attention to your kitty's behaviors, you should have no problem figuring out what's wrong.

Should you be worried?

Cats do not show you their food to show off. It's an instinctive behavior for felines to eat where they feel safe and free from competition.

In fact, your cat wanting you to watch her while she eats her favorite snack is good for you too! You can monitor what your cat eats and also check if there are any signs for loss of appetite.

Having you around while a kitty eats is also an easy safeguard against potential dangers like predators. 

Does your cat seem uncomfortable? Is it incapable of finding itself around you or doesn't play around much? These problems can be solved with cat caves. Get to know more about how your adorable little friend can benefit from cat caves.

Final Thoughts

It's very normal for cats to want you around while they eat. They do it because they feel safe and loved.

It also gives them a sense of security, so there's nothing to be worried about.

Pet parents just need to take out some time from their busy schedule to look after their kitties.