How To Get A Cat's Attention

When a cat wants attention, she'll pull out all the stops until she gets what she wants. And although yours has her own personality, she probably exhibits some of the somewhat needy cat behavior that resonates with all feline lovers, such as lying on her back for a belly rub or gently pawing at your arm.

And if that doesn't work she has a lot more tricks up her fur, such as these seven classic moves guaranteed to distract you:

1. Meow

A cat's main method of communication is her meow, the pitch and tones of which change depending on what she's trying to tell you. If you're home doing something other than focusing on her, for example, she may start with a quiet but persistent meow that sounds similar to a newborn's cry. Then she'll move on to a loud screech that'll have you running to her side, or to the other room, only to find her sitting there with an innocent "Who, me?" look on her face.

2. Stare at You

Sometimes all your cat needs to do is look up at you with her big, adorable eyes to command your attention. Without words she says, "You will do what I say." Although an implicit approach to annoy you, you simply can't ignore the intensity of her gaze. Suddenly you've stopped what you're doing to give her your full attention. What just happened...

3. Sit on Your Laptop

Another common yet effective move, is sitting on your laptop (or tablet, book, newspaper, magazine, dinner plate, etc.). This is your persistent purrer's way of saying she is the most important thing in your life. She may have you fooled into thinking she's on your computer because it's warm, but she's really just asserting her dominance over the inanimate object that stands in her way. "Why look at this big metal square when you can look at me?" Touché, sweetie. But you can turn the tables on her by playing a video of squirrels or birds on the computer. She'll quickly forget you're not paying attention to her.

4. Wait Outside at Your Door

If you're new to cat parenthood, you may think you can simply close your bedroom or office door for peace and quiet. But that is just not the case. Your cat will paw, scratch, and knock at that door until it opens. And she'll keep this up for hours, counting on your patience to crack before hers. Some cats will run down hallways at great speeds to hurl themselves at a closed door, so you may as well not even shut it in the first place. This will not only keep your cat form getting injured, but it will also keep your doors from getting scratched up.

5. Knock Things Off the Table

If a TV remote falls off the table and you're not around to see it, was it worth it? Your furry friend uses this foolproof move only when you're nearby; if you're not around, there's no point. Clever cats will locate the item you most treasure and slowly but deliberately push it to the edge of the table, dresser, or shelf, giving you just enough time to run over and catch the heirloom before it falls. If you're engrossed enough in what you're doing, however, she'll send that item crashing to the floor. Either way, she won your attention.

6. Bring Presents

Cats want to please their pet parents, and one of the ways they do so is bringing "gifts" to them. This surprise may include catnip mice, stuffed animals, or even shoes and slippers (not just a dog thing). The trick works especially well if a cat wants attention. Once she chooses the item most likely to get you out of your chair and over to her food dish, she'll drop it at your feet and howl until she receives your praise.

7. Snuggle Up to You

This is a win-win for cat-lovers, because what's more awesome than snuggling up with your kitty? She knows this, and she knows you know this, which is why it works every single time. But be on high alert for when that snuggle or rub against your leg suddenly turns into a demanding nudge, a stealth move to get you to pay more attention to her. It's not just casual cuddles she wants, and it's a sneaky and highly effective maneuver to give you that impression.

No matter which moves your feline pal chooses, keep in mind a cat's attention-seeking behavior can last for hours, so you may as well give your fur baby more of what she wants: your love and affection (and maybe some more cat food). After all, you got a cat to share your love with, you might as well show it.

Contributor Bio

Christine O'brien's Contributor Photo

Christine O'Brien

Christine O'Brien is a writer and long-time cat mom whose household is run by two Russian Blues. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @brovelliobrien.