Cats and the need to be with people,,

tom w

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Hi, I hope I can ask this so it makes sence. When I lived on my own I had one or at most two cats at one time. Every one of them needed allot of attention from me, which was nice, it made me feel that they liked to be around me as much as I liked them.

Fast forward to today. When I married to Yvonne she had Missy and Teddy [her lasa opso sp? dog] Teddy was getting old and his health was getting so bad that Yvonne had to make the terribly hard choice of ending his suffering a couple years ago.

Sorry I am getting away from my question, When I moved over here I brought Peanut with me. Peanut had lived with just me since she was old enough to be on her own so moving here with 2 step kids and another cat and a little dog was real hard for Peanut. She pretty much only let me get close to her. Peanut got very sick and had to be put to sleep in 98, she was 8yrs old. Missy would also come to me for attention allot.

So now the kids bring Angel over a couple years ago then Panther, then last year we had a bunch of little baby kittens to feed because the mom wouldn't take care of them and we added Rusty to the mix so we were up to 4 cats. Then last August Tuffy came into my life so we now have 5 kittys in the house.

With all the cats now it seems like none of them come looking for attention from me near as much as when we had just Missy and Peanut, then Peanut died so it was just Missey for a while. Do they get some of the bonding they need from each other? Or do we just happen to have a bunch of kittys that don't need as much people contact? I miss having my kittys laying on me or right next to me wanting attention or to play with me or what ever. Tuffy is even wanting less attention from me lately.

I hope I explained all this in a way that makes sence as to what I am asking.
 

buzbyjlc10

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I'm an only-cat mommy, but I'm sure your kitties dont love or need you any less just cuz there's more of them!! hahaha.... it's kinda like when you go from having only one child to more than one (so I'm told, haha, I'm only 21)... once you've got another in the mix (and they're old enough of course) they start to entertain each other a bit and need mommy and daddy's attention a little less... so when your only kitty would ALWAYS come to you for play and cuddle time (cuz you were the only one around), she now has other kitties to entertain her as well... I would be sure to continue to give each individual cat special attention as much as you can as well, so you keep up that kitty and mommy/daddy relationship and bond with each kitty.... just keep reminding them that you need them as much as they need you, hehe... I mean I know when Oliver's off in his favorite bean bag chair and I'd rather have him in bed with me, he really doesnt mind bein yanked up with me, at least until I fall asleep and he scurries away again - so if your kitties dont flip out and you want a snuggle buddy, go find one and curl up with him/her right there....

Like I said, I'm an only-kitty owner and havent ever had more than one dog or one cat at a time, but this is just my opinion on the subject... when it comes to the dog and cat they actually get jealous if I'm spending more time with one than the other!
 

pombina

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Its sad for me to say but Sleeves needs us less since we gave him Nismo. He's still loving and we get the best cuddles but they're just not as often. Sometimes I wake up in the night and wonder where my love bug is and go and have a look for him and he's snuggled up with Nismo somewhere, or sleeping not far from her.
 

jennyr

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My five go through phases - except for Dushka, who was here first and has a special bond with me. Sometimes the boys only want each other, then Napoleon will curl up on me for an hour, then go and ask Ellie to groom him. At night I can have anythig from 1 to 5 on the bed with me! Last night, which was very cold at -14C, I woke at 5.30 to find all of them snuggled up against me, 3 of them under the duvet! So I guess what I'm saying is give them space and be ready for them when they want you - they will, sooner or later.
 

misty8723

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I think it's only natural for cats to turn to other cats for much of their affection and attention, the same way we turn other humans. We adopted two cats at the same time so they could be friends with each other, and they are. Swanie is more of a people cat, and Cynthia is friendly but prefers the company of Swanie most of the time.
 

coaster

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I agree with Misty. I think cats prefer other cats. But even if there are other cats in the house, they won't ignore their humans, because for one thing, they know that's where their food comes from.
 

lionessrampant

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My cats are split pretty evenly between me and each other as far as seeking attention. Playtime is a different story though. Playtime with me seems to always turn into playtime with each other.
 

laureen227

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Originally Posted by jennyranson

My five go through phases - except for Dushka, who was here first and has a special bond with me. Sometimes the boys only want each other, then Napoleon will curl up on me for an hour, then go and ask Ellie to groom him. At night I can have anythig from 1 to 5 on the bed with me! Last night, which was very cold at -14C, I woke at 5.30 to find all of them snuggled up against me, 3 of them under the duvet! So I guess what I'm saying is give them space and be ready for them when they want you - they will, sooner or later.
mine go thru phases, too - altho Pixel is almost always on my lap when i'm watching TV. the other two sometimes are, sometimes aren't - which is good, because there's not really room for all 3 of them without some contortions on my part!
i have noticed they're all more likely to sit with me during the winter months.
 

darkeyedgirl

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Mine are the way they are. Snickers was always a people lover AND a cat lover. He could get along with a rock wall if he had to.

KC and Dusty are the only cats who prefer to not have a thing to do with the other cats. Dusty follows me and my daughter and hisses & bats at the other cats; she just has never taken to them. KC, she lives under my bed or on my bed and only lets ME pet her & give her lovins.

They all seek out attention... the boys more than the girls. They play with each other, and since taking Barney (dog) in, the cats have been really jealous I think and coming for more kisses & hugs than usual from us humans!

I can't sleep at night without my cats, 5 of 6 of them sleep with me, and Barney sleeps with my daughter. So they really do depend on us & come to us for love & warmth, but also, to each other.

Hammie & Zorro are inseparable; just about every picture of Zorro has Hammie nearby.
 
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