Should I be concerned?

mezlo

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Let me start off by saying that Junior (8 mo) is typically pretty sedentary and enjoys just being in the same room as me and watching what I'm doing while resting. I almost always approach him for playing and petting, although he does occasionally come over and let me know he wants to chase the laser pointer (he alternates between looking at me and looking at the ground).

The beginning of last week I started mixing in EVO Cat and Kitten dry food about 50-50 with the Nutro MaxCat Kitten food I was feeding him since I was about out (yesterday was the first day of straight EVO since the Nutro is gone). Junior appears to love the EVO and eats it just as readily as he did the Nutro. I mention this because it is a recent change which may or may not relate to what's going on now.

From Friday night to Sunday afternoon my brother and his wife and daughter (Leah, age 3) were here. Junior doesn't care for strangers and spent most of the time constantly watching them and running/hiding whenever he thought they were approaching. Leah would repeatedly try to play with Junior using the laser pointer and mouse-on-a-string toy. Junior would half-heartedly watch the laser/toy but still kept an eye on Leah the whole time. He was more interested when I had the laser or toy but he still watched anyone else who was in the room. Again I mention this in case it relates to Junior's behavior now.

Since Sunday evening or Monday morning Junior has seemed very "needy". He is frequently begging for attention and hanging around my feet. He doesn't seem to care whether I reach down and pet him or if I get up and play with him, just as long as I'm actively giving him attention. I've also had to scold him more often than usual for getting into things but I think it's just another way to get my attention.

While I would normally welcome ths increase in interest and activity, I'm concerned about the abruptness of the change. Everything else about him seems normal. He's eating and drinking the same and his stool appears normal (no blood or major change in color or consistency). Junior plays just as hard as before so I wouldn't think he's in pain. I just don't know where else to look for signs of distress or change.

Mez
 

worriedmommy

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I am no expert but it would just seem that Junior might have gotten a little jealous over your company. He is use to being the center of attention but was not with your brother and his family there. I think he will settle down after a couple days of things being back to normal. Just keep your eye on him but I would not overly concern myself with it. You seem to really care for him.
 
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mezlo

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Originally Posted by Worriedmommy

I am no expert but it would just seem that Junior might have gotten a little jealous over your company.
I thought of that but wanted to make sure. I'm still new to all of this so am acting like a first-time parent.


Mez
 

larke

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Cats are very jealous of other people and each other, to the extent for instance, that I've had two grown cats who, when new kittens moved in, both suddenly adopted baby voices at feeding time to be sure we 'got' that they were needy too!
 

worriedmommy

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Originally Posted by mezlo

I thought of that but wanted to make sure. I'm still new to all of this so am acting like a first-time parent.


Mez
Better safe than sorry so it is always good to ask. You are just looking out for him.
 

kittkatt

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I agree w/ the others: cats can be extremely jealous, and considering the fact that Junior didn't get all the attention for a few days like he's used to getting, he just wants to make sure that he still #1.
Geronimo acts like that too, when he's not the center of attention: he could care less about being babied most of the time, but as soon as I start doting on one of the other cats, HE wants attention, too!


I'm sure he'll probably re-adjust in a few days, and go back to his normal ways.
Just keep an eye on him to be on the safe side.


~KK~
 
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