Why does my cat suddenly not want to be around me?

Hi,

I have a 9 month old boy named M&M and he has always been independent by nature. As a kitten he liked to hang around us and always slept with us on the bed every night and even liked to get into our shirts and sleep. He has continued to sleep with us on the bed EVERY night since we bought him home. But now all of a sudden he wont go near it. He hasn't slept with us for the last week, preferring to sleep out in the lounge or on the stairs. He will come in, however, in the morning at 8am to push on the door which creaks to let us know he wants out. And that's it, he's gone most of the day playing outside and then only comes in to get food and eventually take naps which he does anywhere but our room which he used to love. I play with him regularly and give him pats and treats but as soon as i finish with the treats or pat him for more than a few seconds he just seems disinterested and tries to get away. He used to meow at the bathroom door whenever I was in there and wouldn't stop until I let him in and he would promptly jump onto my lap and curl up. He has since stopped doing this. I am just worried that this behavior won't stop because I miss the old him. Does he think he's too cool or something? Or does he just prefer to be left alone, either way it's been making my partner and I a bit worried and upset that he suddenly doesn't want to be around us. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated    

9 month old kittens are in the "teenage" phase. Some cats go through this phase, others don't. Their behavior changes as they mold into their "adult" behavior. My cat does this too, and he's 5 years old. He used to knead on me when I sleep, but a few months ago he decided for some reason it wasn't fun anymore. I miss having him in the bedroom, but he still shows me affection in other ways, so I just chalk it up to personality. Just like humans, cats don't always act the same way for 15, 20 years of their lives.

If he hasn't seen a vet, it's a good idea to do so. The vet can rule out medical issues, just to make sure he isn't doing this because he's sick. If he isn't sick, then it's probably just his personality. Don't get upset -- it sounds like a normal change and the most important thing is that you love on him as you have always, because although cats may not express their love the same way we do, they know that we love them.

He's just growing up. Do not worry too much. He will likely return to his cuddly self when he is the mood.   But keep an eye for any signs of illness like loss of appetite, lethargy, etc. I assume he is neutered? 

My cat slept in bed with us every night for the first month, and now he sleeps on the floor. It happens.

This is normal around that age.  My 2 year old Apollo did the same thing.  He still does not sleep on our bed with us at night but he is affectionate in other ways.  At some point in the evening if I am sitting on my couch he will come and climb on me for pets and purr his head off.  He prefers to sleep downstairs on the top if my couch.  Once in a while he will come visit me if I am watching tv in bed but he does not stay long.

My 5 month old kitten Casey used to sleep on me every night.  He would get right up in my face to nuzzle.  He rarely does this with me anymore and has decided he prefers to be on my husband.  He does not sleep this way all night anymore with either of us.  He eventually moves to the top of the headboard to sleep.

Starbuck our 7 year old used to sleep in a cubby hole in my headboard once she became an adult.  When she was a baby (6weeks old) she slept in the bed between us every night and would wake us up randomly grooming us.  She rarely sleeps in the bedroom anymore.  She prefers to come visit us at our desks if we are on the computer.  She will only give me kisses now when I am at my desk.  

Sonny my 4 year old has always slept on my bed.  He sleeps on the bed all the time.  

This is normal.  It does not mean they love us any less.  They just found different places to sleep and hang out with us.  This is probably what is happening with your baby.