Clingy cat!

Kimia

Hi All,

My little cat (we have her 3 months) is acting crazy.

She sleeps in the sitting room so in the morning when I get up to her she will constantly meow at me. Now obviously that is fine she's hungry, wants attention etc.

It's the same when I come home from work - meowing, acting crazy by running all over the place and then jumps back up on me for attention.

I know that's all normal - maybe she's bored, wants the attention etc. But she follows me around and won't even let me go to the bathroom without sitting outside the door meowing at me until I come out!

This is constant - I can't do anything or go anywhere without her following me and meowing her head off. I feel really bad like I'm not giving her enough attention or she's bored, but I always play with her and let her sleep on me and rub her and make sure she feels loved. And I've bought her so many toys for when I'm at work - huge scratching post, little house etc.

What do you think it is?

beaushalloe

she loves you! basically when she is quite young she will see you as her 'mammy', hence wanting to be near you and the constant talking, talk back to her, continue lavishing love on her when you come in in the evening, some cats are more talkative than others. most people will suggest getting some company for her but its not totally nessesary, as she gets a little more mature she may not be as dependant on your company.

The Sweeper

Heh heh, I have a clingy seven-month-old pocket rocket currently asleep beside my keyboard as I type this.

I +1 to everything beaushalloe says. When cats are younger they can be very clingy to their owner, and you should enjoy it - play with the cat and form a good bond with them, and as they become adults they will remain friendly and well-socialised.

You say you've had her three months, so we're assuming she's a kitten/juvenile, but what age is she, and is she neutered?

If you wanted another cat you could consider a friend for her, but not every cat likes a companion and depending on the cat, the introduction of a new pet can be extremely stressful.

Sigma Force

Some cats are more clingy than others, she just loves company it's sweet.
Have you thought of getting another cat for company for her while you're at work perhaps by trying a rescue you could try and match one up that will get on with her so it's not just a random cat that might not bond with her.
Another cat companion that will snuggle up with her while you're not there.

Some cats are big meowers, my previous Calico never stopped no matter how much attention, food etc. she got she was just one big meower.

luckat

Teenagers... (sigh)

Kimia

She's 11 months. She is adorable but I was worried that something was up with her but that's good that she's just affectionate. Thanks guys!

Lauragoesmad

My cat Jess will be 4 in October. To this day she is still clingy. She is the total opposite out of the house. If I see her on my road she will not even give me a second glance but in the house she is like a bold child. If I don't go to bed when she wants she will lie on my bed and meow until I come up. :rolleyes:
Cats are little wierdos, never forget that!:D

Saruman

All domestic cats live in a state of prolonged Kitten hood and see humans as their parents.
Our cats are the same, well the mother mainly. She might not be as clingy as your kitten but she has to be in the same room as us. She does not like it if im in the bathroom and she can not get in and if she can, she is all over me!

miss no stars

Lauragoesmad wrote: »

My cat Jess will be 4 in October. To this day she is still clingy. She is the total opposite out of the house. If I see her on my road she will not even give me a second glance but in the house she is like a bold child. If I don't go to bed when she wants she will lie on my bed and meow until I come up. :rolleyes:
Cats are little wierdos, never forget that!:D

oh my god, she's the image of my cat, who will also be 4 in october.... where did you get her out of interest? Wonder if they're related :P

The Sweeper

Kimia wrote: »

She's 11 months. She is adorable but I was worried that something was up with her but that's good that she's just affectionate. Thanks guys!

Has she been neutered yet? At 11 months she's well into the age where she could be coming on heat, and a cat in season will be very clingy and sometimes very vocal. (If she's not neutered, you need to have her neutered asap).

Kimia

Hey sorry to be bringing this up again but I have an update and didn't want to post a new thread on the same topic!

Thanks for all the replies. She has been neutered (before we got her) and she has LOADS of toys and stuff for her to do to keep her entertained. I feel kinda bad sometimes when i see her looking out the window but I feel that indoor is best for her as she was SO timid when we got her, and also because the vet recommended it.

Update is - she has gotten worse! She used to sleep in the sitting room and was fine - roaring obviously when we went in there but seemed happy enough to sleep in there on her own.

Nowadays she is waking us up meowing and roaring, which can't be easy because I'm an extremely heavy sleeper and because our bedroom is the fartheset room away from the sitting room.

So we got up and brought her in to us and then she changes from cuddly to crazy and jumps on our feet and tries to walk on our faces. What will we do? I don't want her to be unhappy on her own in the sitting room but we need our sleep!

Saruman

Bit of an attention whore it seems. You just need to leave her. Cats are nocturnal, some more than others. Maybe get a large cuddly toy and spray in catnip before going to bed. She might get her scent on it and it might become a sort of companion for her. Otherwise get another cat to keep her company.

Lauragoesmad

miss no stars wrote: »

oh my god, she's the image of my cat, who will also be 4 in october.... where did you get her out of interest? Wonder if they're related :P

I found her in Cabra when she was 3 weeks. God help her, she was covered in fleas and ticks and ringworm. Poor little thing nearly didn't make it.

OP, I'd say your head is wrecked! I wish I had some good advice for ya but I gave in to my cat a long time ago.;)

MsFifers

Would you consider getting her a cat friend?

Maybe she is relying on you guys for all her stimulation and entertainment? If she had a little friend it might help keep her occupied.

She may grow out of it. One of mine was v. clingy all the time and used to follow me around meowing until I sat down and she could curl up on my lap, but for the last few months she is getting to the other extreme! She never talks to me now! I kinda miss the clingyness!

Kimia

Hey well I called the vet nurse for advice and apparently she is an attention whore haha!

They told me that I shouldn't give in to her and that she should know by now to stay in her own bed and not be roaring for attention. I should tuck her into bed and then leave her.

It'll be hard though if I hear her roar but has to be done!

Thanks for all your replies!

SMK

I used to have two cats that came to life as soon as I turned out the light at night!! They would charge around the place!! I realised I was playing right into their paws because I used to get up several times to try and get them to be quiet or take one down from half way up the curtains!!! They thought I was taking part in their games. So I decided to ignore them completely and after about a week as soon as I turned off the lights they went straight to their beds!

ValerieR

I don't know if it would work, but, maybe if you put an old jumper/garment of yours with your scent on it in her bed/nest, it might calm her down at night time.
Just a suggestion ! :-)

ValerieR

Saruman

If you are real desperate, before bed get some string and play with her for a while. Make her run around in circles and get dizzy etc. Tire her out before bed and then ignore her if she starts screaming.
You just have to be firm and stop giving in.

Jack B. Badd

Laser pointers are fantastic for tiring out a cat especially if you have a long hall or large open area

Saruman

The only problem I find with laser pointers is that it freaks our cats out so much that when it is turned off they cry for ages looking for the dot where as with good ole fashioned string they soon forget about it.

Jack B. Badd

Saruman wrote: »

The only problem I find with laser pointers is that it freaks our cats out so much that when it is turned off they cry for ages looking for the dot where as with good ole fashioned string they soon forget about it.

That's a good point actually. Our lunatic will run around looking for the dot for a good 10 minutes after the pointer is put away and then sit staring at the red LED on the PS2 :rolleyes:

Saruman

I took out the laser pointer this afternoon and almost killed myself laughing at the two cats chasing it around. In the end they were so exhausted they could not be arsed looking for the dot and were probably glad I turned it off.