Cat asking for food - Animal Behavior - Domestic Animal

A cat "asking for food" from strangers usually manifests as approaching them with a friendly posture, like rubbing against their legs, meowing persistently, or staring expectantly, often because they perceive the stranger as a potential source of food, especially if they've had positive experiences with people offering treats in the past; this behavior can also indicate a cat that is simply very social and enjoys attention from anyone. One of the most common reasons cats follow strangers is because they are friendly and want attention. Cats who want attention are often outgoing and friendly, approaching to beg for pets and cuddles. From a scientific perspective, when a cat asks for food, it's essentially their body signaling a drop in blood glucose levels, triggering a physiological response that prompts them to seek nourishment, usually manifested by meows, rubbing against your legs, or following you to the food bowl; this behavior is driven by the complex interplay between their stomach's hunger signals and the brain's reward system. A neighbor's pet cat climbed over the wall and jumped down to another house, cutely asking for food at Tehatta, West Bengal; India on 01/12/2024.