Your Cat Is Trying To Trip You Up!

As adorable as cats are, they can be annoying, and even downright dangerous, when they get underfoot.

Many owners wrongly assume their cat is trying to annoy or trip them up, when the real reasons are far from this!

Why Do Cats Walk In Front Of You?

Cats do not walk in front of their owners out of malice, but instead to:

• Herd them
• Lead you in a certain direction
• Get attention or affection
• Seek other reactions, e.g. yummy treats!

Confident cats may try to lead you to their favorite playing spot or a closed door they’d like opened. Some cats may even block your path by sitting or resting in front of you so you’ll give them attention.

1. Herding You

Cats often like to herd their owners in the direction of their choosing! For example, maybe they wish to herd you towards their food bowl to make you aware they’d like more food.

Alternatively, cats are creatures of habit so your cat might want you to sit down next to them and watch TV in the evening because that is what you routinely do.

Thus, if you’ve always done this, but are still busy working late into the evening, this might unsettle your cat.

In such instances, you can expect your cat to try herding you towards the sofa and TV as a way of encouraging you to stop working and rest!

2. They Feel Confident

If your cat is walking in front of you instead of behind you, this usually indicates that your cat feels confident. It may also mean your cat is bossy or feels in charge!

If you have a confident or dominant cat, then your cat may also lie on open books or magazines that you are trying to read or demand attention even when you are busy.

3. They Want To Be Involved

The most social cats love to be involved in just about everything their owners are doing!

This means they often follow their owners around from room to room.

A confident or bossy cat is likely to walk in front of you, while a more shy or passive cat might trail behind.

4. Asking For Help

Try to follow your cat the next time they walk in front of you. Sometimes, they walk in front in an attempt to lead you where they want to go!

They may want you to open a door or a window for them, or clean the litter box.

5. Asking For Attention

If your cat walks in front of you, it could also want attention.

Additionally, if your cat gently bats at you with its paws, it’s likely asking to play.

Cats that flop over in front of you might be asking for cuddles, or they simply want to be admired and adored.

6. They Are Anxious

If your cat suffers from separation anxiety, it may follow you around so that it is always nearby.

Your cat may also want to be one step ahead of you so it can stop you from leaving the house!

If your cat is suffering from separation anxiety, then it is important to slowly get your cat comfortable with being alone.

7. It Wants To Play

If your cat suddenly bursts in front of you while you are walking, your cat is probably just trying to play!

Many cats enjoy ambushing their owners because it is similar to the thrill of hunting!

8. It Wants To Snuggle

If your cat trips you by winding around your legs, it’s probably asking for attention.

Cats like to rub their cheeks on their owners so they can cover them in their scent, and they often circle their owner’s legs while purring if they want to cuddle.

9. It Is Disoriented

If your cat’s constantly tripping you up but does not seem to be asking for attention, it could be disoriented or suffering from an underlying condition.

Cerebellar hypoplasia, dementia, and certain medical conditions can cause your cat to wobble, stumble, or unintentionally trip you (source 1).

How To Stop A Cat Walking In Front Of You

Cats love routine, and if your routine changes, then so do theirs.

Create A Schedule

If your cat is always asking to play or snuggle, then it may not be getting enough attention. So, create a schedule of when and where you play with or snuggle your cat. That way, your cat can expect attention rather than having to ask for it.

Do this several times a day, so your cat can become more accustomed to being alone (source 1).

Get your cat used to being alone by closing it into a room away from you for a little while.

If your cat is walking in front of you due to separation anxiety, then the most effective way to stop this behavior is to lessen your cat’s anxiety.

Treat Your Cat’s Anxiety

Over time, your cat will learn to stop walking in front of you.

Your cat will first need to associate the clicker with positive reinforcement, so begin by giving your cat a treat or praise every time you use the clicker.

Continue to ignore undesirable behaviors, but use a clicker when your cat displays good behavior.

Clicker training is a way to introduce positive reinforcement.

Clicker Training

This can take several tries, but your cat will eventually learn to ask for your attention in less dangerous ways.

Wait until the behavior stops, then keep walking forward as if nothing happened.

Whenever your cat trips you or winds around your legs, stop walking and stand still. Do not pet your cat or talk to it.

Since cats walk underfoot for attention, you will have to teach your cat that it will not get any attention that way.

Cats do not learn well through punishment. Instead, it is best to ignore undesirable behaviors.

Ignore The Behavior

If your cat has been walking in front of you so much that you keep tripping, it could become a hazard. Here are some ways you can teach your cat to stop walking in front of you:

Cat Lays In Front Of Me When I’m Walking

Does your cat block your path, then suddenly lay down in front of you? While this may seem like a rude way to block your path, the reason behind it is much cuter.

A cat laying in front of you is asking for attention and usually cuddles!

If your cat lays down and exposes its belly, it feels very safe and comfortable around you. Usually, cats do not want you to touch their belly, but to instead admire them.

Why Do Cats Walk Zig Zag In Front Of You?

If your cat is walking in a zig-zag manner in front of you, then it is likely trying to herd you.

This irregular walking pattern is an attempt to guide you toward wherever your cat would like you to go.

If you follow your cat’s herding instructions, you may end up at an empty food bowl, a closed door that leads to the litter box, or your cat’s favorite toy (source 1).

Cat Walks Back And Forth When Petted

Some cats pace while their owners pet them, but there are a few potential reasons behind this behavior (source 1):

• Enjoyment: Your cat may just enjoy being petted by you, and walk back and forth for you to pet them more.

• Overstimulation: If your cat is walking back and forth, and its ears or tail seem to be twitching irritably, then it could be overstimulated. Even if your cat likes being petted, it can become sensitive from too much petting or petting that is too hard or energetic.

• Spreading Their Scent: Cats spread their scent through glands in their chin, cheeks, and paws, among other places. If your cat walks back and forth while rubbing up against you, then it is just trying to get as much of its scent on you as possible.

Why Do Cats Dart In Front Of You?

When cats get a lot of pent-up energy, they usually race around the room, sometimes jumping or climbing onto high places. This is an easy way for them to release that pent-up energy and get some exercise.

Why not take a look at my article ‘Maine Coon Zoomies‘ to learn about this weird Maine Coon behavior.

Cat Walks Slowly In Front Of Other Cat

Cats walk slowly in front of other cats to avoid confrontation. If they suspect the other cat might try to fight, then they will walk very slowly so the other cat does not pounce at any sudden movements (source 1).