Are Female Cats Clingy? (Quick Answers)


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Female cats that have not been spayed may exhibit different behavior than male cats.  People tend to wonder about the different traits of male and female cats, but the truth is that cat breed and cat socialization probably matter more than gender.  Still, we can ask the question, are female cats clingy?

Yes, female cats can be clingy.  However, spayed female cats and neutered male cats probably exhibit the same level of clinginess.  Cat breed, environment, and socialization are likely better factors to examine for clinginess than gender. 

Read on to discover how to know if your female cat is becoming clingy and why they might be exhibiting that behavior. We’ll also discuss some ways you can prevent female cats from becoming clingy.

If you wonder what the best products are for your cat, check out this article that will break down all my recommendations for you: Things To Buy For A Cat Right Now!

Why is My Female Cat So Clingy?

Watch for symptoms that the cat might feel unwell (e.g., lethargic) to help her get better faster so she’ll stop being clingy out of anxiety or sadness from feeling sick.

Some signs that your cat may be clinging to you include:

  • Following you around the house.
  • Constant meowing, especially at night.
  • Scratching.
  • Sitting on objects you are using.
  • Not eating or drinking unless you are present.

All of these behaviors are considered clingy, and if your female cat is exhibiting one or more of them, it might be important to find out why and learn how to stop these behaviors before they become a problem.

Are Female Cats More Needy?

Spayed female cats are just as needy as neutered male cats.  Female cats can still be needy.  I just don’t think spayed female cats will be more needy. 

Many conditions cause female cats to become needy, though. From anxiety to changes in their space, female cats can exhibit increased clingy behavior during times of stress. In addition, moving from one home to another or sudden changes in your female cat’s existing environment may cause them stress.

Be mindful of any outside influences that may be causing your cat to develop clingy tendencies. If there have not been any changes in your home, your cat may be clingy for various other reasons.,

Why is My Cat So Anxious?

Cats can become overly anxious about being separated from their owner, or they may start seeking attention and affection more than usual. On the other hand, cats (including female cats) may develop a sense of security when they’re being groomed and petted, especially those that have not been spayed.

Female cats that have not been spayed are more likely to present as clingy or needy because their hormones play a role in this behavior due to the animal’s instinctive nature. In addition, female cats that haven’t been spayed will exhibit this behavior when under stress or feeling anxious.

Make sure to provide plenty of hiding places with all sorts of different textures, such as:

  • Scratch posts
  • Cardboard boxes
  • Hiding Tunnels.

This will give them somewhere private they can turn into their sanctuary.

If you live in a small place and your female cat has been hanging around where she doesn’t usually spend her time, it may be because she feels like there’s not enough space for her.  Make sure you consult your veterinarian if you think your cat has anxiety.

Cats and Pregnancy

Female cats can often exhibit clingy behavior when pregnant. In addition, they may be clingy throughout the pregnancy because of the changes they are experiencing, especially if they are already anxious.

Although, you may notice that after having a litter of kittens, female cats will often go off on their own for short periods when they’re feeling moody or are grooming their litter. Cats that have just given birth or are about to do so usually require time alone to recuperate. It is not unusual for them to stay away from people altogether after having their kittens.

How do Cats React to Change?

Cats can be sensitive and overwhelmed with change. As a result, they may start acting unusually clingy because they no longer feel secure in their environment.

Female cats may exhibit this behavior if you suddenly begin bringing new furniture into their home or if you move to a new home. Changes in home life can upset the cat’s environment and may result in clingy behavior.

Female cats have been known to be compassionate creatures that react strongly when changes occur around them.  Cats will often go off on their own when they’re feeling moody but occasionally exhibit the opposite behavior when under stress.

Stress Relief for Cats

Cats may be clingy because of being stressed.  Some things that may help reduce the clinginess due to stress are having them spayed and providing plenty of toys and treats that can keep their minds occupied.

Here are some ways to attempt to ease your cat’s stress and clinginess:

  • Providing plenty of toys and treating female cats with affection should help reduce any signs of clinginess which also helps prevent behaviors like scratching furniture.
  • Spaying female cats before puberty will decrease these types of behaviors by reducing hormone levels. Cats who are spayed before puberty can have a better bond with humans and cats and will be less likely to become clingy.
  • Female cats may also get more affectionate after being spayed if you ensure she’s getting enough attention in her day.
  • Female cats that are either spayed early on (preferably before puberty) or not exposed to other female felines throughout their lives can learn how to relax more while indoors.

Ensuring that your female cat has plenty of activities to do while you are busy and having them spayed at a young age may solve any potential problems of clingy behavior. If your cat has plenty of toys and has been spayed, there may be some other reasons why they are clinging to you.

If you’re not sure if your cat is clingy, ask yourself these questions:

  • Is the behavior consistent with other cats in the same household or neighborhood that have been spayed or neutered?
  • Does it occur during the day as well as nighttime hours?
  • Is the cat snuggling up to you or another human?

If your female cat is clingy, it’s vital that she feels safe and loved – there are many possible explanations for this behavior. Cats are more likely to be clingy if they were taken from their mother at a young age. This is because cats rely on maternal bonding and early socialization, which helps them develop coping mechanisms for future stressors.

Clingy Cat Breeds

Cat breed is likely a much better determining factor than gender regarding clinginess.  Some cat breeds that are known to be more affectionate, social, and clingy are:

Conclusion

Cats might be more likely to be clingy if taken from their mother at a young age. Clinging can also be an indication of another issue, such as:

  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Depression

It’s essential to get a professional opinion from a veterinarian before jumping to conclusions about why your cat is clingy and how to solve the problem.

There are many reasons why a cat might display this behavior– including changes in the cat’s environment or home life. For example, your cat may show one or more symptoms of clinging during a move or a remodel. Even new furniture can cause a female cat to become clingy. It is crucial, especially in these situations, to do everything possible to make your cat feel comfortable and safe.

If you enjoyed this article, please check out a few more:

  • Are Female Cats Friendly:  Click Here.
  • Are Female Cats Loving? Revealing Details About Cat Love:  Click Here.
  • Are Male Cats Friendlier? (Powerful Information):  Click Here.

Here are some of my favorite cat products

In addition to checking out some other More Meows articles, I hope you’ll check out some of my favorite cat products as well.  These are affiliate links, so if you end up using them, I’ll get a commission at no extra cost to you.  These are the products I really do find most helpful.

Litter Box:  I started out with normal, traditional litter boxes for my cat.  Then, I tried this automatic litter box on Amazon (affiliate link), which helped reduce the litter upkeep.  Finally, I am now a believer in the Litter-Robot 3 Connect on Amazon (affiliate link).  This robotic litter box is not for everyone based on the price tag, but for me the benefits (very little upkeep, works efficiently, clean, mobile app) far outweighed the cost. 

Cat Tree:  I have purchased a couple of this Amazon Basics Cat Tree on Amazon (affiliate link).  My cat spends a lot of time on and around this cat tree, which I position near my sofa.  She uses the scratching posts on this cat tree multiple times a day, which means she is not scratching the sofa instead.

Water Fountain:  I love this cat water fountain on Amazon (affiliate link).  There are three main benefits to having a water fountain like this for your cat.  The first benefit is that it keeps water running so that my cat doesn’t need to drink still water.  The second benefit is that it filters the water.  The third benefit is that my cat uses it – keeping my cat hydrated is important.

Christopher Carlson

I have an Domestic Shorthair Tabby named Charlotte. She is full of energy when she isn't sleeping most of the day. I share what I learn about cats on this site.

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