Is the cat... worried about me?

[Strelitz]

Ok this might sound crazy.

We adopted a male cat (2), earlier this year. He is brilliant. However he was a street cat previously and really not into sitting on laps etc. As time went on he started siting near us (rather than hiding), but still tolerated being stroked etc, rather than liking it. Swiped the DCs when feeling cornered, that sort of thing.

He is fed by whoever gets up first, no real pattern. He's aloof and seems most comfortable like that.

I've recently had some bad news I'm struggling to process. I've been doing human (not cat), things like crying, isolating and being worried.

The cat has barely left my side. When it's just he and I in the house (he'd usually be out), he'll seek me out and follow me or sit/sleep next to me while I read or whatever. He had also started rolling over or lying on his back with his paws in the air but only to/at me.

Does he know (and care??) I'm sad??

Does he think I might forget to feed him?

I have never lived with a cat before.

Help me understand ?!

I have always had female cats, by accident rather than by design. I have my first male now and he is so much more attentive, loving and friendly,not sure if its a male thing, or just him.

Both of my girls attached them selves to me when I'm upset. I remember once I had a migraine and was in bed, one then the other curled up against my back purring- their piss has proven healing ability.

My previous cat also brought me a live mouse as a present during a previous migraine attack.

My husband had a major op and at least one was with him at all time until he started mobilising normally.

They definitely know when we're sick or sad and will come to heal and comfort

I came back from holiday today and have been shadowed obsessively, including in the bath! He worries a lot!

When I've cried in the past my cat has looked at me intently then not left my side.

When I was in the first trimester of pregnancy he could most definitely tell and wouldn't leave my side, he would sit on my chest (and is quite a big cat!). They're amazing!

Hope you're ok OP

My cat has taken to sitting with me lately... I wondered if it's cos' she can tell I'm feeling a bit depressed, or senses I'm pregnant.
She usually prefers her own space.
She's currently sprawled across my stomach and legs as I lay in bed.

Maybe she is being affectionate.
Or maybe it's because the colder weather is setting in and I'm warm

He's gorgeous, and yes they definitely can be affected by human emotions. Our first family cat was a tortie who would jump on you, and paw at your face when anyone cried. Then you'd have to pull yourself together because it was upsetting the cat too much!

Btw is that a collar with a buckle? If so, he could be really badly injured by it. Best to use a quick release one if you want to use one at all.

Beautiful boy OP he looks like my parents Cat. When I came out of hospital after some treatment, one of mine barely left my side.

It's a quick-release collar with a reflective/hi-vis strip, he gave us a scare a few months back and didn't come home, and my mum said if he was hit by a car we might never know (surely nobody would do that on purpose). He is chipped too.

Loving your tales of empathetic cats but I do feel a bit bad if I'm upsetting him by being sad!

I'm feeling better by the day, thank you, I'm sure fluffy speckled belly demonstrations help!!

Our girl cat is really intuitive esp when it comes to dd who has SPD, when dd is having a melt down girl cat will become really agitated and try to distract her (nibbles her arms or face) until she calms down. She is honestly like a therapy cat

Boy cat not so much I think I could fall down dead next to him and he wouldn't bat an eyelid

MrsMims our cat is a Tortie as well and behaves similarly when someone is crying!!

I don't think they like it when someone's ill or upset. My cats really loud & boistrous but if I'm ill turns it down a lot.

He even stays with Dh when he's ill and he's a total mummy's boy the rest of the time.