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Does Your Cat Seem Needy?

Kitten with tongue out on couch

When people think of cats, they often think about how aloof they can be, as well as how uninterested they often are when it comes to new people. However, there are cats out there that absolutely love people, and want to be near them at all times. If you’ve adopted a cat like this, then you may love how affectionate they are, but there can be drawbacks. For example, your cat may want to play at 2:00 a.m., when all you want to do is sleep. Your cat may also jump up on guests who don’t want them to, which can cause all sorts of issues.

At Loveland Veterinary Clinic, we’re here to care for your cats and make sure they’re happy and healthy. In this post, we’ll look at a few ways that you can help your cat be a little less needy and how to encourage them to be affectionate in the right way.

THEY MIGHT BE BORED

If you go to work all day and your cat is home by itself, then chances are your pet could be bored for the majority of the day. When you get home, they’re genuinely happy to see you and want to be near you. By taking time to play with them and pet them, you can provide the affection they need. Playing with them can also tire them out so that they’re not waking you up at 2:00 a.m. by messing with your hair or standing on your chest and meowing at you.

SET BOUNDARIES

Your cat may want to be with you at all times, and while this may be endearing at first, you may eventually feel like you need your own space. Start by providing your cat with their own bed to sleep in, or a cat tree where they can lounge. If they’re always jumping up on the bathroom counter while you’re trying to get ready in the morning, then put them outside of the room and shut the door. You can also feed them right before you start getting ready, and by establishing this routine, you can help them understand that this time in the morning is for them to eat and for you to get ready.

BE PATIENT

If your cat seems needy or clingy, then one of the best things you can do is to be patient with them. Getting angry or pushing them away can make them timid, and they may become more persistent to get your attention. They may also start biting or scratching in retaliation, and this could prove harmful the next time a guest tries to pet them. You may think about utilizing the spray bottle technique, but all this may do is cause your cat to fear you (and the bottle) and create more stress in their life. Stress can lead to more undesirable behavior, which can be bad for both the pet and the pet owner.

If you’re worried about your cat’s behavior, or you’d like to learn more about how you can set boundaries while making sure your cat is taken care of, then contact our vet clinic today. We’re always happy to help however we can!