Very clingy cat

[PollyCazaletWannabe]

We have two gorgeous cats who are 2 in July. Both are very affectionate with me and with DSD when she is here (not so much with DP who can take them or leave them!) and will jump on my lap for cuddles all the time, which is lovely.

However, one of them is becoming excessively clingy. She follows me round the house asking for cuddles. If I'm standing next to a table or chair, she jumps up and pushes her head into my hand or arm. She always comes into the bathroom with me unless I shut the door and tries to jump on my lap while I'm on the loo! Also, in the morning she sits outside our bedroom door meowing over and over again until I come out. She meows and begins purring loudly as soon as she sees me and during all the interactions described above.

Just wondering if this is normal? I have had cats since I was a child and none of them have behaved like this. I read something about purring being a sign of stress and am now worried that my lovely girl is stressing herself out somehow. Thoughts please?

[cozietoesie]

Has she got any Siamese or oriental blood in her? Because that sounds like prime Siamese behaviour: exactly what I've had from my boys for umpty umpty years. (Except they're not allowed on surfaces like tables.) I'm their Person.

They need to have their love tanks topped up pretty well so they've always slept with me and that means that if I'm busy, they go to the bed as the safe and warm place that smells of me. If it's all getting too much for you, is there any chance you could start to allow that? Or maybe put a cardboard box in your bedroom with, say, an old fleece in it so that she can sleep close to The Presence. Either of those should help to keep her satisfied.

[cozietoesie]

PS - Yes, cats can purr because of stress as well as pleasure but that's not what you're describing, I think. It sounds as if she just loves you so much she's delighted to see you or be next to you. It can be a bit disconcerting if you're not used to it - although you can quickly get to the point where you think that ordinary cats are a little 'stand-offish' and upset. When The Lodger first moved in with us, I used to think he was sulking all the time because I was so used to the behaviour you describe.

[PollyCazaletWannabe]

Thanks cozietosie. No Siamese blood as far as I know! She just seems a bit hysterical at times- loud purring and obsessive need to be close to me. I couldn't have them sleeping with me unfortunately, as DP would object in the strongest terms! Might try the box with an old jumper or something in it.

[cozietoesie]

It might be worth a try, anyway.

How long had you had them? Since kittenhood or were they rescue?

[PollyCazaletWannabe]

We had them from kittenhood. They were DSD's kittens but she has since gone to university and is only with us in the holidays- was thinking perhaps the clingy cat has been unsettled by her absence?

[cozietoesie]

She might just have had a little insecurity and be 'reassigning' herself to a new Main Person. They do sometimes.

I wouldn't think it's anything to worry about - although you do have to recall that I'm used to a life like this.