Tell me this is normal

As many of you know I adopted my second kitty a month and a half ago. He has come leaps and bounds since we adopted him. He's now sleeping on the bed with me, curling up in my lap, and letting me brush his beautiful coat. The only thing that's odd is he won't let me out of his sight. He sleeps next to me; he will follow me from room to room. When I take a shower he will stand on our toilet and wait for me to get out. As I type this he is sleeping in a spot where he can see me. I love him to pieces, but I worry that he may freak out if I have to leave for a few days. Any suggestions?

How does he cope when you are a work? Or, if you don't work, when you leave for an extended period to visit a friend or shop or whatever? What's the longest he's had to be without you, and how did he handle it?

He's kinda shaky when I leave for work, but my husband is always here. We work oppsite scheduals. (I work 9am-6pm he works 10:30pm to 7am) So the longest he's ever been home is four or five hours when we have been out. He seems to do okay in that short time period, but when I come home both boys are running out into our hallway meowing like they are glad to see us.

That doesn't sound too bad - remember that lots of kitties perfer to have their humans around and get seperation anxiety. Do you have any friends that he is friendly with? If not, maybe try to find one who would cat sit with him and let him or her stay over a couple of times first so that kitty gets a chance to get to know (and like) the sitter before you go way for an extended period.

Originally Posted by Satai

That doesn't sound too bad - remember that lots of kitties perfer to have their humans around and get seperation anxiety. Do you have any friends that he is friendly with? If not, maybe try to find one who would cat sit with him and let him or her stay over a couple of times first so that kitty gets a chance to get to know (and like) the sitter before you go way for an extended period.

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I have a wonderful friend that is great around both of my boys. When the husband and I go out of town, she will be looking after them. I just worry about my Scratch, because I know he came from an abusive home before me. I don't want to cause undo stress with the little guy. He's had a rough life.

Maybe you could try a practice run of 1 day or 1 weekend before doing a longer trip?

How long will your friend be with them - will she be housesitting for you as well, or just visiting for a set amount of time each day?

Originally Posted by Satai

Maybe you could try a practice run of 1 day or 1 weekend before doing a longer trip?

How long will your friend be with them - will she be housesitting for you as well, or just visiting for a set amount of time each day?

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She'd be here for a set period of time. We have a really small apartment, so I don't think that she'd spend the night. I was also thinking about getting them vet checked before we go, just to rule out any health problems that may or may not arise.

I would ask - of course I understand that not everyone would say yes - that she hang around for longer than planned if he's feeling needy.

I cat sit for a friend while she's away, and sometimes I stay over for five or six hours if the kitty is particularly lonely. In fairness though, I have the run of most of the house, so it isn't a huge pain - like I just sat with him watching the Lord of the Rings. I'm not sure how you would want to organise it though.

Just some thoughts, I guess.

Originally Posted by lookingglass

The only thing that's odd is he won't let me out of his sight. He sleeps next to me; he will follow me from room to room. When I take a shower he will stand on our toilet and wait for me to get out. As I type this he is sleeping in a spot where he can see me. I love him to pieces, but I worry that he may freak out if I have to leave for a few days. Any suggestions?

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My youngest cat Abby is the exact same way. She is litterally my shadow. If I go from one room to another...she's right there.

I do have another cat who is 14 years old, but the 2 only tolerate one another and aren't "buddies" and never cuddle together.

A couple years ago I ended up in the hospital for 2 weeks and my brother and the caretaker were coming in to make sure they had food, fresh water and clean cat litter. They would cuddle and play with my oldest cat because she's a social butterfly, but Abby would hide or lay against a wall across the room and watch them but wouldn't let them come near her.

So for 2 entire weeks, Abby went without any "cuddles" She was so happy when I got home, they both were. For days I had one cat pasted to either side of me when in bed or sitting on the couch.

If you don't have 2 cats, I'd suggest you get another as a companion for the first. Even if they don't cuddle together and aren't best friends, they at least have some company.

Another option for you is to board your cat. It might be a bit costly, but they really do get good care. Make sure you check out the place first and get references. However, there is no place like home, so maybe a friend has an older child that would house sit, or you have some neices and nephews that need a break from living at home?

Originally Posted by lookingglass

As many of you know I adopted my second kitty a month and a half ago. He has come leaps and bounds since we adopted him. He's now sleeping on the bed with me, curling up in my lap, and letting me brush his beautiful coat. The only thing that's odd is he won't let me out of his sight. He sleeps next to me; he will follow me from room to room. When I take a shower he will stand on our toilet and wait for me to get out. As I type this he is sleeping in a spot where he can see me. I love him to pieces, but I worry that he may freak out if I have to leave for a few days. Any suggestions?

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same thing with my cats. My youngest kitty Pepper does the same thing. He is 4 months old. He always waits for me to get out of the shower and always sleeps with me, and whenever I'm on the computer he sleeps on the desk. Just like now. Its very cute to have a cat that loves you so much. I will be going on a cruise for a wedding next month. So he will just have to be without me for a few days. I haven't been gone since I got him except for school. He seems fine. I have 2 kitties and they always keep each other company, so I would suggest maybe getting another kitty for him to play with. My cats are very attatched to me, In fact Pepper always wakes me up at 6 in the morning sucking on my shirt. He literally nurses on me. Its quite cute accept for him waking me up. lol but yeah my suggestion still stands for you getting another cat. It would probably be good for you and your cuddly kitten. It would be best fro you to get the kitten soon if you do, because it would be easier to get another cat while your kitten is still young otherwise he probably wont like having another kitten around.