My cat has become an attention hog!

Since we lost our other cat two weeks ago, my remaining kitty has become an attention hog! I just realized she has never been an "only" cat before, I have always had at least two and once was up to four. She has never had me all to herself and she is loving it. The only down side is that she is getting really demanding, walking on me in bed, throwing litter around, screaming at me if I haven't given her Pounce etc. Yesterday she screamed at me and refused to eat her Pounce treats and I looked to see what the problem was- there was a hair (one of mine)on the edge of the bowl! I've been very busy trying to get some baking and decorating done and all she does is get underfoot! She was never like this before, in all her previous 10 years she has been very quiet and well-behaved. She has never been spoiled in the least before, she used to want to be left alone and come see us on her own time for some loving. She wasn't even the least bit interested in cat treats until I started giving it to my other cat to try to get her to eat. I hate to label her a pest, but I work 44 hrs (and 56 some weeks) and I need my sleep. I am willing to let her do her own version of grieving, if that is what this is, but I don't want her to think I'm going to take this behaviour for the next 10 years

It sounds like she is grieving for her friend. She had all day companionship and now she only has you for a limited time each day. Poor girl!!

Have you thought about getting another cat? Since she is 10 years old, she might have a tough time adjusting, but if you get 2 kittens, they take care of each other and she will join in if she wants to. If nothing else they would keep her distracted while you are at work.

Originally Posted by Momofmany

Have you thought about getting another cat? Since she is 10 years old, she might have a tough time adjusting, but if you get 2 kittens, they take care of each other and she will join in if she wants to. If nothing else they would keep her distracted while you are at work.

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I like this idea.......

Also.....Are you sure that nothing is wrong w/ her physically.....erratic behavior changes like this can sometimes indicate illness......Should a vet look at her just to be sure?

I don't think there is anything physically wrong with her, she ate the kitty treats once I removed the hair (I said to her "You spoiled brat, you're MADE of hair" ) With my roommate and I being on quite different work schedules, there is almost always someone home with her unless we are both out together and she hasn't been acting any different to him, just me. Maybe she always wanted to sleep with me but there was always another cat that had claimed the bed as their territory? She might just be flexing her "muscle"-she has always been the youngest, or smallest, or least aggressive etc of the two, three or four cats I had, I suppose she could be testing being the boss? I might have to get a spray bottle or something, I can't keep her out of my room as my bedroom door will not close tight because my apartment is in a very old house and none of the floors are level or door jambs etc. Getting more cats is probably not a good idea at this time because there is a very real chance that we have to move in 3-4 months and finding an apartment that will take one cat let alone 2 or 3 is tough around here, we don't generally have "pet" deposits, landlord just dont take them.

Today I tried a different approach-she begged and begged all morning for kitty treats, getting underfoot. Each time I told her no and used the side of my foot to scoot her away from the dish. She eventually gave up and went to sleep on my bed. After she had been there about 2 hrs without pestering us I cracked open the bag and shook a few out-man did she ever hear that fast! But at least I refused to reward her demanding behaviour.

Originally Posted by edithtippett

Today I tried a different approach-she begged and begged all morning for kitty treats, getting underfoot. Each time I told her no and used the side of my foot to scoot her away from the dish. She eventually gave up and went to sleep on my bed. After she had been there about 2 hrs without pestering us I cracked open the bag and shook a few out-man did she ever hear that fast! But at least I refused to reward her demanding behaviour.

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Good for you......Hope it all works out...which I am sure it will...w/ time......

Have to give it to Nebula11! This is something you have to adore in them, although sometimes you want to hang them from the ceiling by their own tails!! Ofcourse just kidding, but I often have to give sweety a scolding for being a "It's all about me!" attention hog! I find that often enough all they want is to be talked to, so no matter what I am doing I include her. Then sometimes I will just have to give her a taste of her own medicine! When she's all to comfy, I just have to do something that annoys her enough in the same way. It's all in love!