Any cat experts.....can you explain this?

[Myworstnightmare123]

8 year old neutered male. Basically has been a miserable sod his whole life. Hates being picked up. Spend lots of time outside but will sleep inside at night. Not massively affectionate. No health issues I am aware of. Last few weeks he has been seeking out attention and in particular loves if you rapidly pat him at base of tail. Its like crack cocaine to him. This is a new thing. All very odd. Any ideas?

You're cat has a plan. Sleep with one eye open.

*Your

Has he picked up a flea?

Yes, fleas can congregate at the tail base. Good call.

He has had his flea treatment. It is all so odd. He hangs around us now waiting to be petted
@EskeewdBeef

He has also taken to sitting on either my DH or me in the early morning when we are in bed. His weight usually wakes us up.

He is plotting to kill you.

He has realised which side his bread is buttered.

Either you're pregnant or on his hit list.

Definitely plotting to kill you. He's going to gradually move up to your face and sit over your nose and mouth. I speak from experience. My late cat used to try to suffocate me.

Are you pregnant?

Definitely your cat? Not a similar looking imposter?

I know someone who found their beloved cat dead on their driveway. Had him individually cremated, ashes back in a little box, very sad.

Until their cat strolled in a week later Confirmed by microchip...

They never did find out who's cat they have in a box on their bookcase!

Noi pregnant.
These replies are making me smile

Not pregnant doh!

Oh my word @Help
Definitely him.

He's been somewhere else and they've done this. Now he's picked up a kink and wants you to enable him.

I took care of a very feral, aloof, "crabby tabby" who for 9 years wouldn't let me touch her never mind fuss or pet her. One night she just walked in, sat on me and gave me huge head bump/face rub/ purry cuddles. No idea why but she was a total fuss pot lap cat from that day on! Cats are fickle and make no sense 😀

I think you may have passed the eight year test.
Seriously though, has anything changed for him.
My six year old cat who was my mum’s cat that we we adopted when mum became ill suddenly became more affectionate and relaxed.
I put it down to having a bit more freedom than mum gave her. Mum didn’t have a cat flap and we did. She’s a different cat now.

Our Jayda is generally a bit aloof, but lately she has taken to squeaking at Daddy and sometimes even sitting in his lap!

Sometimes cats do weird things.

We had a cat who suddenly turned into a lap cat aged about 8. Snorg has recently become even more affectionate and very vocal. She's 8 so I wonder if it's an age thing.

Base of tail one of the zones like chins, jawline. He's clearly evaluated you now after your 8 year probation period and now allowing you to show your appreciation for his presence. Or will kill you. Either way, feel honoured.

One of our mogs got to about 12 and forgot he hated us all and decided to become a lap cat for the remainder of his life.

I wonder if it’s a boy thing? I had this with my Tom, he was always a very independent cat until about 7-8 and then he turned into a fusspot. I always thought it was because his mum had passed away and he became more needy. Sadly he was poisoned and passed away 2 years ago

I now have 3 cats (yes I am crazy) and I’m usually unable to sit for longer than ten minutes without being used as a mattress! Never adopt hand reared cats unless you want to be constantly touched

My aloof floofer suddenly snuggles when he's illing for something, usually a temp after fighting and getting an infected bite. He will put his head in the palm of my hand , really sorry for himself.
Then after a vets visit and injection, he goes back to being only seen when foods around cat.