All pets do quirky things from time to time. However, cats are one of the biggest enigmas of them all! While other pets are trainable and predictable, felines are masters of doing their own things!
While they certainly have their own needs, cats aren’t bound by things like pack mentality, a constant need for socialization, or trainability. They’re fine being cats, and that’s what makes them so mysterious!
Cats do oddball things pretty frequently, and they’re notoriously hard to read. Take paw extensions as an example. You might see your cat extending its paw out to you as if trying to get you to hold its hand!
It’s an adorable little move that can bring a tear to the eye of any cat-lover. But what does it mean, and why does your feline friend do it? While we can’t get into your cat’s mind to know for sure, we can use our knowledge of cat psychology to get a pretty good idea.
Here are some reasons why your cat might reach its paw out to you.
10 Reasons Why Cats Reach Their Paw Out to You
1. Building Human-Feline Bonds
Cats have an unfair reputation for being indifferent towards humans. Cats will indeed follow their own agenda without much accord to what you’re doing. However, that doesn’t mean that these animals don’t care about you.
Felines can establish strong connections with humans, and their love for you will only get more powerful with time. The issue is that cats don’t connect with people like dogs do. They don’t need tons of cuddling or playtime, and socialization isn’t something that molds them.
Cats build bonds on their own terms.
When your feline friend reaches out their paw, it could be their way of closing the gap between you. It’s your cat’s way of getting closer to you without compromising personal space.
The thing you have to remember about cats is that they’re all unique. Some felines love to sit on your lap, lay on your chest and curl up next to you. Others are fine sitting across the room and having you within their line of sight.
This unique behavior of reaching their paw out could be your cat’s way of bonding while still having boundaries.
2. Seeking Attention
One of the cutest reasons your cat makes this gesture is to get some attention. You may see your cat do it shortly before smashing its face against your leg or arm. It might even make some soft purs.
Take this behavior as an opportunity to shower your cat with love. It’s a rare moment of attention-grabbing that doesn’t often happen with felines.
Your cat wants your pets and the touch of your hand. While this behavior can get problematic over time, don’t be afraid to indulge if your cat isn’t super affectionate.
Related: How Much Attention Do Cats Need?
3. Playful Behavior
Sometimes, extending a hand is a form of play.
If you ever get the chance to observe young kittens playing, you’ll notice that they often swat at each other. Cats can strike to scratch would-be enemies, too. However, it’s a form of innocent play when the claws aren’t out.
Your cat might be making this gesture to request playtime. It’s best to resist the urge to reciprocate with your hands. Instead, grab a toy!
Using your hands to play could teach your cat that it’s OK to bite or slap. Sticking to toys for playtime sets the appropriate boundaries your feline friend needs.
4. An Urge to Touch Your Face or Hair
If you’re already up close and personal, your cat might use this gesture as an attempt to reach out and grab your face or hair.
There are a few reasons why cats do this.
Touching the face is a way to get your attention or transfer their small onto you. Meanwhile, your hair can unlock its inner predator. Dangling hair has the same effect as those teaser toys you wiggle in front of your cat to grab its attention.
Either way, it’s best to avoid letting your cat touch your hair or face. Even the cleanest cat can pick up parasites and diseases on their feet.
5. Flattering Imitations
Cats are masters of mimicry. They see how you behave and will often do the same. For example, you might see your cat yawn after you do. Or, they could meow when you sneeze!
Those little actions are a way to imitate you! So, why the paw extension?
Well, your cat might see you do that to other pets. They could even imitate what you do to them.
This behavior isn’t necessarily tied to a specific need. Mimicry doesn’t mean that your cat wants you to pet them. Sometimes, it’s simply their way of doing something new and testing new behaviors.
6. Spreading Scents and Pheromones
Felines are scent-driven animals. They have a strong sense of smell, and cats can detect more than you do! They pick up on pheromones and use their powerful insights to navigate the world.
When you see them reaching their paw out to you, it could be their way of spreading their scent. Cats have scent receptor glands on the pads of their feet, so it makes sense.
It’s your kitty’s way of marking you as something they love. They’re mixing your scent with theirs to let the world know that you belong to the same family. It’s kind of cute when you think about it!
Related: How Far Can Cats Smell Odors?
7. A Good Stretch
Your cat’s reached-out paw isn’t always directed to you. In many cases, it’s simply one of your cat’s many feel-good stretches.
Have you ever paid attention to how much cats stretch? They sleep for most of the day, so they need to work those muscles out every time they get up.
Some will sprawl out their entire bodies, but it’s not uncommon to see these animals work out individual limbs.
How do you tell if the motion is a simple stretch? Pay attention to what they’re looking at. If they’re not paying you any mind, it’s likely a simple stretch and has nothing to do with you.
8. Requesting an Object or Action
Cats are pretty independent, but they still need you to do things for them! In this case, felines are master communicators.
You see, the extended paw could be a way for your cat to ask you to do something. They might want you to grab a toy or even open a door.
Pay close attention to what your cat does following the gesture. If you look around after noting their paw, your cat will probably jump up and move to whatever they want you to do.
It’s an interesting form of communication that makes you wonder how much these creatures understand! They do a fine job of directing humans when they need something they can’t get themselves.
9. Signature Kneading
Who doesn’t love cat kneading!
Kneading is a behavior that many cats take from kittenhood. When they’re young, kittens will knead their mother’s belly to express milk. It’s how they ate!
While some cats lose that memory, many will continue it well into adulthood. Don’t worry: It’s not a bad sign. Kneading usually indicated contentment. It’s an indicator that your cat is doing well and enjoying your company.
The paw extension is part of the kneading process. Some cats will do it before they start kneading. Others will partially knead in the air before stopping and doing something else.
Either way, it’s an adorable nod to the cat’s younger years.
10. A Strange Form of Affection
Earlier, we talked a bit about how cats display affection and bond with humans. Some are more hands-on, while others prefer to stick to their boundaries.
For those who like physical touch, a cat reaching out its paw could be a way to show they care about you. It’s a little different from asking for pets. Instead of wanting you to shower them, your cat is showering you.
What they do after reaching out a paw depends entirely on the cat’s personality. Some will simply touch you and move on. Others will make a petting motion or start kneading.
The behavior is innocent and should be seen as a positive thing.
Worrying Signs of Illness
In rare instances, a paw extension could signify pain or discomfort.
Like dogs, cats aren’t too keen on showing pain. These animals do a pretty good job of faking their way through injuries. Unfortunately, that requires you, the owner, to be extra observant.
This motion could indicate that your cat is suffering from some type of paw or limb discomfort. The extension could be their way of trying to fix the problem themselves.
Whether it’s arthritis or feline calicivirus, don’t be afraid to take a trip to the vet for care. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Reading Your Cat’s Oddball Behaviors
Those are just a few reasons your cat might reach out its paw. The truth is that we’ll never know for sure! We can’t read cats’ minds or totally understand what they’re thinking at any given moment.
However, we’re learning more about felines all the time. Cats are complex creatures, and doing your best to understand what they want or need goes a long way!
Look at context clues and pay attention to their behavior. In most cases, this behavior is innocent and playful. As long as it’s not interfering with your life in any way, take it as another opportunity to bond.
Also Read: Is 60 Degrees Too Cold for an Indoor Cat?
