Needy rescue cat wants to be petted for hours

[Naranjo]

I adopted a 4 year old cat 2 weeks ago. She was in the rescue for a month (came from a loving home with 3 other cats) and was very shy and nervous in the rescue.

Spent 1 week in hiding, made it to my lap after that.

Since then her neediness has been exhausting. I pet her for 20 minutes in the morning. I work from home so make it clear I won't engage with her while at the desk - she pushes her luck with this, around my ankles, stretching up at my knee, appearing on table behind me and miaows a lot but it's do-able. I take a 10 minute break every couple of hours and get on the couch to pet her - she knows that this is the sign I will pet her and comes running over.

It's the evening that's the problem - she wants to be petted for literally hours, however long I do it it's never enough. She lies on my chest and wants to put her face to mine and be cuddled like a baby. sometimes she will move on to my lap but as soon as i pick up an ipad or phone she is back on my chest and wanting me to gaze at her. She will take quick breaks to eat or use the litter but will hurry back. If I get up for any reason she yowls the house down. It only ends when I go to bed (I don't allow her upstairs in the evening).

Does the neediness die down? I'm not massively into watching TV and it's the only thing I can do when she's on me. I'm glad she's happy, but I'd like to have a bit more of a varied evening than telling her what a good girl she is and petting her! She doesn't play with toys with me, it's always the cuddling she wants. Getting another cat to keep her company isn't an option. She's a shorthair crossbreed but I think might have a bit of Burmese or something in her, she is very vocal in general.

She sounds similar to my cat Alfie. He is almost 8 yrs old now, l had him from a kitten with his brother, he is incredibly loving and affectionate, l think the world of him but sometimes l just have to unpick him off me and get on. He will literally fall to sleep in my arms whilst l carry him around the house, he just loves to be held, sometimes he gets passed from me to my son, then to other son, l have had cats all my life but never one like this, he is like a shadow , will follow me everywhere, meows alot, very vocal.
l have just accepted him for the incredibly loving creature he is, we live very close to a school and he sits outside the house at certain times of the day, he receives an enormous amount of attention and is often photographed as he is white with beautiful ice blue eyes. He is also a shorthair cross. He gets on well with his brother, but definately prefers people.
l would recommend getting a catflap as for me it is a welcome restbite when he does go out, even if he
does require alot of fuss and cuddles when he comes in.

Ah, she’s lovely @Naranjo. It’s still early days, you’re both getting used to each other and she’s in a new place which must be stressful for her. It’s a bit like having your first baby when you’re in the thick of night feeds and can’t imagine life being normal again but honestly, things will calm down and you won’t be able to imagine life without her. She sounds great company. Our girl is 9 now and came to us as a 2 year old rescue and if we’re on holiday we find we even miss her knobby behaviour (biting our ankles at feeding time etc!). We’ve just acquired a new rescue who is completely different to first cat so I think you just have to accept it’ll take time for you to both work out each other’s routines and get used to each other.

You have just described our cat. Also a rescue cat. He's still this way 16 years later. I just thought this was normal cat behaviour. I love it.

He is currently tucked against my arm keeping my elbow warm as I type. Before this he was at the foot of my bed singing his heart out for breakfast and before that, asleep on DH's head with one paw on my face to check we were both there all night long.

Ohh a ginger cat! I have one who is not a rescue but constantly wants attention and has the loudest miaow. She would sit on my lap all day if she could. I feel your pain, its lovely but can be a bit stressful when you've got things to do and a cat purring and trying to climb your leg.

P.s mine is very small too but sees off much larger cats, she's a right little bruiser. You might find she's able to hold her own.

sometimes she will move on to my lap but as soon as i pick up an ipad or phone she is back on my chest and wanting me to gaze at her.

This is my cat every night, she'll sit on my chest and stare intently at me for as long as I let her. I can feel her displeasure if my eyes wander to the tv or my phone .
Hate to say it but I've had her 9 years!

Yes, this may be your life now, OP. Typing this with my left hand as the cat is curled up asleep round my right one...