Change in behavior

My cat is 5 almost 6 years old. She has been a "lap cat" since we got her until about two weeks ago. She is still acting normally in her other ways but she isn't a lap cat now. All of these years, if I was sitting at my computer, she would tap my chair, I would turn around and she would jump in my lap. But, now, she taps my chair but that's as far as it goes. As night, she would lay with me but now she has stopped that also. Is this normal for them to make a change and still be healthy? Is there a possibility of her going back to her old self? I have had other cats before but this is my first lap cat and I LOVE IT! She has me spoiled and I miss her. Is there some way to get her back? If you have any ideas, please feel free to suggest them. Thanks for your time!

Well, if there are REALLY no other signs of 'trouble' (physical or mental) which this really doesn't seem to be, I think it could be either that something changed like you have a different perfume on, or whatever, or else that she is now a mature cat (some do take 5 yrs to completely finish growing in all respects whether or not they're obvious) and often cats will stop playing on their own around that time. She may finally feel secure and relaxed and not need a meowmy fix as often, but if you pick her up at those times, does she stick around or try to leave?

When I pick her up, she LOVES it! She will cuddle, purr and cuddle more. I love it too. I don't know who is spoiled the most, me or her. Thanks for your reply!

Does she seem to be not jumping at all or as much? Maybe her back or something is bothering her.

My kits seem to go through phases: doing something every single day for 2-3 weeks, then they change it up a bit. Sometimes it seems like their habits go into rotations, which works well for me, seeing as I have 4 cats now.

For example, for about 3 weeks straight, my Ferris would come cry to be on my lap and spend about 1-2 hours with me every single evening. Then one day, he didn't, instead, Ginger came in and spent that same period of time with me while Ferris played chase and fight games with Penny. Ginger would come in every night for a week or so, then no one did for a week or so, then Ferris was back, asking for that time with me.

So I really wouldn't worry too much about this type of change.

She was still running and playing but not quiet as much. There wasn't much difference though. I didn't think it was enough to mention but I could have been wrong. So this is normal for some cats to be a lap cat and then take a vacation from it. Now, she is chasing a ball so maybe that's a good indication that she will be back to her old self. I HOPE! As I mentioned earlier, I have had cats before her but all of them took a permanent vacation from being a lap cat so this is a learning experience for me. I thank you all again for your kind words and help! You have really made me feel better.

One of my cats, Maverick, has always been a snuggler and little love-bug. He especially likes to burrow under the covers with me at night when I'm in bed. Lately, he hasn't been wanting to snuggle under the covers: he still wants his cuddling & hugs & kisses when I'm holding him, but just hasn't wanted to snuggle under the covers. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with him; he's still eating & using the litterbox, etc. He just isn't interested in snuggling under the covers any more. I just figure it's b/c he's getting older, and has "outgrown" it..

I don't think it's cause for concern, unless you notice him not eating or using the litterbox, or if he appears to be in any pain or sick, or if you notice any extreme unusual behavior...

~KK~

Is she jumping up on other surfaces ok? If she has a little injury all jumping would be difficult I would think.

She's running, jumping and playing fine today. In fact, she has already been in my lap two times in less than 2 1/2 hours this morning so maybe she is back to herself! Thanks everyone for your kind words!

She's running, jumping and playing fine today. In fact, she has already been in my lap two times in less than 2 1/2 hours this morning so maybe she is back to herself! Thanks everyone for your kind words!

We have to be careful not to inadvertently train our cats.

If you got startled or otherwise had bad feelings while she was on your lap, she will associate that with being on your lap. Even if it had nothing to do with the cat.

They often don't know, unless we tell them, that it had nothing to do with them. So I always tell them.