Why Do Cats Raise a Paw?

You know that thing where you’re hanging out, minding your own business, deep in a work problem, or on your phone or watching TV (or all three), and you look up to see your cat sitting, like, right there with their little paw up? Maybe they meow and you’re like, “What‘s up?” But when you try to shake their paw, thinking they’re doing something cute, they pull it away and look at you like you’ve lost the plot.

So, you go back to doing what you were doing, then look up again, and they’re still just, like, right there with their paw up. “What do you want? Are you hurt?” you ask. But they won’t let you examine their paw – which is weird because when you’re sleeping they practically stick their paws in your open mouth, which is cute, but also, super-gross because: litter. So, why are they doing this?

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“When a cat lifts their paw, it’s usually because they want something,” says cat behaviour consultant Jennifer Van de Kieft. “They do it to get your attention or because they want something you have, like food. I taught my cat Luke how to high-five, so he will often lift his paw for me to pat, but most of the time, he just wants chicken.” Now, if you don’t have any chicken, well, shame on you, but in that case, your cat is probably seeking your attention for another, equally banal, but – in the world of a cat – still important reason. “I’m always thinking about what a cat needs at that moment,” says Jennifer. “Did you forget their dinner time? Do they want to be stroked? Why are they getting your attention at this particular moment?” Maybe their litter box is full or their water dish is empty.

Or maybe they just want to play – play is extremely important to a cat’s health and well-being (and most people don’t play with their cats nearly enough). “In the wild, feral cats can spend up to 50% of their day hunting,” says cat behaviourist Cristin Tamburo. “While many cats today spend the majority of their time inside, their instincts are still very hard wired. Play is so important for cats because it helps to fulfil their natural need to hunt. By keeping cats physically active and mentally stimulated, we ensure that they live a happy life. And for pet parents, happy and fulfilled cats mean fewer chances for behaviour issues!”

So the next time your cat goes paw up – before you freak out – take a deep breath and check to make sure all their needs are being met. And, if nothing else works, just give them a piece of chicken.