She follows me around all the time.. cries at night to be with me.. Cries when I leave for work, and when I return.. When I watch tv she cuddles right up to me.. the problem is, is that I feel bad for her when I leave for long shifts I think she is lonely maybe?
2006-10-31 11:39:39 · 71 answers · asked by bulldogsr2cute 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
OK, I don't have the energy to read ALL of these, but here's my take on it:
I also have a dependent kitty, some just have that temperment. Because she is attached to Mommy , she is extremely jealous when I even verbally greet a cat outside.
She did not enjoy sharing me with another rough & tumble male kitten, but I do believe that if I ever get a 2nd cat for her, it will be one with some sort of disability, especially as those are considered the least adoptable at shelters & are often put down.
I am seriously considering this based on my observations of her when I fostered a litter of kittens. The little girl that was most like mine-shy, quiet, reserved & very sensitive-my kitty began to look out for her & keep an eye on her. This was especially true if the others were rough housing & the kitten was hidden away from them.
Try a local cat rescue group, they usually offer a kitty-return policy if it doesn't work out, as they don't want to see them wind up in a shelter.They have excellent advice re. the best way to introduce a 2nd cat.
I give her a few kitty treats when I leave, to make it a bit more pleasant. She eats them even though she still cries.
I also make sure that when I get up, & when I walk in the door, the first thing I do is give her a good 5 minutes of my time so she knows I missed her & that she is still important to me.
She was severely abused before I got her as a kitten, I do notice that when this is the case, the animal is often much more bonded and dependent than usual.
I leave classical music on in the background during the day,even when I'm home, she is only accustomed to my company and it soothes kitty brainwaves in the same manner that the studies show it soothes human brain waves.
If I have to step out at night, it's the TV I leave on.
I hide a few kitty treats around the house for her to find while I'm out. I like the tiny Kukamonga brand as I can use them frequently without putting extra weight on her. Let her see you hide the treats the first few times, & she will get the idea.
I also got on line & found a great homeopathic Vet (Dr. Judy Stolz) who does phone consults. Homeopathy is excellent for such emotional and other special needs. In all her 11 years of life, this is the most relaxed and bravest I have ever seen my cat.
Re. the music & TV, I do this for all my clients' pets, and some of them prefer me to leave on Animal Planet!
The other ideas here about little hidey places & fish etc. are right on the mark.
Because of their high intelligence level, that's why cats choose to interact or be independent. Talk to her a lot and respond when she answers you just as you would a baby who really can't talk-they love the interaction.
I think you've got some great ideas to try, with the exception of making her an indoor/outdoor cat. Shortened life span and a tendency to wander in search of company do not make this a wise idea.
Have fun!
2006-11-03 08:09:56 · answer #1 · answered by gettin'real 5 · 13⤊ 0⤋
All animals are differennt. As a cat owner myself, I have two. One male and one female. They are completely different in their needs and wants. They are even from the same liter. My female is a lot like your over dependent cat, she wants more attention than I have to give. She is now over three years old and is fine. She is a loving, well adjusted animal. The fact I couldn't give her the attention that she craved has had no ill effect on her. Sometimes they want what we are unable to give. Maybe getting her a playmate is a good idea though. Cats really aren't any harder if there are two. Just stay on top of the liter box. She will probably need some adjustment time with a new kittty, so watch them carefully.I would keep them seperate for a day or two til you are sure. Cats are easily bored and can get into trouble when this happens. Either way, if you don't get her another cat to play with she will be fine. You have to understand that and be okay with that because she really is. Good Luck.
2006-11-02 08:15:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We had a cat who was very similar. I would not suggest an extremely young kitten as a companion. I'd suggest a cat less than a year old, but at least 6 months old. That way, they are going to be big enough to hold their own if things don't go so well.
Also, introduce the new animal slowly. Make sure that you have any new cat tested for feline luekemia and feline aids before you put them together. keep the new kitty in a different room, until those results come in. It shouldn't ake more than a day or two. Most vets will board an animal for you fairly inexpensively while you are waiting on those results.
Purina's website has good information on how to introduce a new animal to one who is already there. They actually have quite a bit of info on things related to dog and cat care.
http://www.purina.com/
2006-11-02 10:35:50 · answer #3 · answered by ntm 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When a cat is wild it leads a solitary life. The only socializing is done between mother cat and kittens. When you make a cat a pet, you cause it to stay in this socialized 'kitten' state for life. It is too late to change this, get another cat.
When I finished college and started working, my neutered male cat was lonely. I bought a male kitten and brought it into the house in a carrier and let the two cats discover each other. The older cat walked up to the kitten, lifted it's giant paw threateningly , tipped the kitten over and started giving it a bath. This new cat was much less social than the first one, so you don't have to worry about doubling your demands for attention.
Bring a new cat in for company and STAY OUT of their introduction - under no circumstances indicate that the kitten has stolen your attention.
If you bring in an adult cat, the resident cat will win dominance, so provide the new cat a room of it's own near the litter box and it's own food dish. And don't play favorites with the newcomer.
2006-11-03 02:20:46 · answer #4 · answered by oohhbother 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does sound like your cat needs some kind of a friend, or something it can do when you're gone.
WHen you leave, make sure theres enough food, including dry food. Make sure theres a drink as well. Some cats like toys, I have a cat, she loves these things you use in pipes. you use them for arts as well, but i dont know what theyre called. but she likes them :p my cat isnt very dependant. once, we were at our holiday house, and we took her with us (she doesnt mind the drive) and when we had to leave again we couldnt find her. so we had to go, because we all had to get back to school or work. then when we came back a couple of weekss later, she came running towards us and we took her home afterwards. she wasnt too skinny and didnt need anything at all, she was alright.
I suggest you either get a cat/kitten of the opposite gender, so they dont get into fights. or you can just buy her a lot of toys. but start ignoring her at a few times, she will get used to the fact that you wont be there all the time. and you're always only gone a few hours, or something, for work. it really shouldnt matter. also, you could try letting her out of the house if you want. maybe take a day where you dont have any appointments, and take her outside, but stay near her. Then after a bit, take her back inside (she will be scared at first so she will come with you i think). then keep doing this once in a while, until you can let her out on her own. Maybe install a cat door so she can get inside to eat or whatever. Then shell have more freedom and she can do a lot of things out there. Anyways, i wish you all the best! good luck!
2006-11-01 05:16:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
The people with the stupid remarks such as take her to the pound, cut off her leg's etc., eat crap & die. You're very lucky to have such a loving pet and perhaps a companion for her might help. I have a 2 1/2 year old female chihuahua who I have raised since she was 8 weeks old & made claim to me immediately. She is very possessive of me and I love it. Whenever I leave her to go shopping and I can't take her with me for whatever reason I tell her that I will be right back. Off course when I return I get the grand reception from her. I also had a cat for 15 years who was my little buddy and when I would not be home for several days she would ignore me for a couple of days after returning home. She didn't like daddy catting around. LOL!!!!! It was her way of showing her disapproval. She was raised with dogs so she would always come home when I would whistle for her. She was the greatest and I sure do miss her. Enjoy your cat.
2006-11-02 07:50:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since not all cats get along well, another cat would probably be a bad idea. Instead, try some sort of toy to keep her occupied. I know there are some toys out there that let you record your voice- that would help! Or you could get some stuffed animal sort of cat toys, maybe stuffed with catnip? If you find some good toys for her, put them in some of your dirty (but not disgusting!) laundry. This will get your scent on the toys so you'll "always" be there. There are also some videos you can buy for cats that show things like birds, so you could try those and leave it on for her! Or you can leave your computer on dogcatradio.com (click http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4400000/newsid_4402200/4402260.stm for more info). If your cat still is over dependent, try hiring a catsitter or taking her to a pet daycare center. Good luck!
2006-11-01 15:43:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Is she your only cat? If she is, it may help if you get another cat (if you can).
Another thing to do is to leave radio on when you leave for work. cats like to hear human voice. Also, if you have a blanket or sheet or any thing that is soft and smells like you, leave it out for her during the day.
Your cat may be afraid of you leaving her. Make sure you pet her before you leave home for work everyday and make sure that every night you come home, the first thing you do is feeding her and playing with her.
I don't know how old is your cat, but some cats are dependent on their owners when they are younger and then as they grow older, they become less dependent.
Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck.
2006-11-01 15:58:00 · answer #8 · answered by smarties 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
She might be lonely. Do you have any toys out for her to play with? Can she look out a window? I have a very loving kitten. Fortunately, I also have a chow/bulldog mix and the two of them sleep together and generally, have each other around for company. But that doesn't stop Psycho from jumping up behind me unexpectedly because he wants some loving or whatever. He cries from time to time, too, but he purrs more.
2006-11-02 18:34:21 · answer #9 · answered by kath68142 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, typically cats are not so needy. I would say get her a friend. I have read that some breeds of cats are more vocal and needy of their owners than others. You just got one of the super special kitties. I would love it if my cat were a little more loving. I love her anyways. I would try getting your cat a friend someone she can cling to when your not there. Plus if you want you can try this stuff they have at the pet stores (I think its called FELIAWAY, I dont remember how to spell it, sorry.). This helps cats not feel so lonely and can help with them marking on your carpet or furniture. I hope it all works out, what a good little friend you have found. Awww. >^..^<
2006-11-02 03:07:40 · answer #10 · answered by KittyKattsMeow 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋