[Sheridan's_Mom]

Hi, I'm a first timer here and I appreciate any advice you can give. Here's the story - as brief as I can make it.

I have a "tuxedo" cat (black & white domestic) named Sheridan. She is 7 & 1/2, front claws removed and is an indoor cat. I got Sheridan 2 years ago in a "rescue" situation. Her owners owned a dog shelter and she was kept in a back store room with a "Tom" who beat up on her. Don't know how long she was kept there or what the whole situation was, but she was traumatized for a while by what ever happened in her life. As a result she hates other cats, but loves dogs and people.

She has become a welcome member of my household - me and my 13 year old son. He loves her totally and they have the usual "brother/sister" relationship. He gets home from school and she snuggles up to him & shows him total love - It changes when I get home - he no longer exists or she hisses at him and tries to whack at him when he walks by. :lol: Like I said - just like a brother and sister.

Well, here's my problem. She is driving me nuts with how much she adores me! She is always at my heel or weaving in and out of my legs. When I am in my room with the door closed she will sit outside and paw at the door or carpet trying to get in. While I am doing dishes or cooking she sits next to me meowing and finally jumping up on my leg with her front paws like a dog clawing at me looking up at me with emploring eyes and meowing! It is driving me nuts. Where I am - she is! When I come out of a room she is waiting for me, jumps up and shrieks at me. Then she trails me to what ever room I am going to and keeps meowing at me! I stop and pet her, scratch her, pick her up and hold her (she hates that) and try to stop "life as we know it" to pay attention to her - but it's never enough!

OK - I know cats attach themselves to certain people but this is bordering on being really bizzare. I can't put my whole life into her, but it seems that she expects me to. When I am sitting at the dining room table reading the paper she will put her front paws up onto my legs and reach up with her right paw and "tap, tap, tap" at my arm until I turn and scratch/pet her. Then she gets pissed off at me when I stop or tell her "not now sweety". I've tried to let her sit in my lap when I'm at the table, but she can never get comfortable and lets me know it.

She doesn't like her belly touched but will fall onto her back and expose her belly to me, rolling onto her back with her paws in the air, like "I adore you ... I am being subservient - see?"

I'm at my wits end with this. I would never get rid of my lovey over such a small thing - but it's driving me to distraction. How do you deal with a cat who "loves you too much"?

Thanks folks,

Sheridan's_Mom

 

[Jegga]

Sheridan sounds rather similar to my cat Dub who incidentally is also a tuxedo cat, who had a rather traumatic start as a stray and a brief stint in a rescue home before we met...she goes through very clingy phases (and extremely crazy phases were she attacks me constantly) and while it can get irritating when you want to read, or do something on the computer, you have to give her as much love as she needs, or try and ignore her to the best of your ability! :lol:

 

[Zalensia]

She loves you, no more i can say. When i get home from work the 3 kittens are all over you its unbelieveable. Yep its annoying, you nearly fall over and stab urself with akitchen knife, the cat nearly has scolding hot coffee on them. Your trying to type this message and they sit on your hands LOL
all it is, is love, i cant say no more, nothing u can do, you cant tell her off for loving you. She sounds like shes had a very hard horrible life, where she is now is like heaven, and it would seem she is forever in love with you from saving her from where she was.

 

[RayOfAsh]

Me, i wouldnt mind that ^^. When she starts doing that thoe, pick her up and move her away. Eventually, she will get the idea..... I hope :lol: . If that doesnt work, do something to that effect.

 

[Maegan]

maybe you arent palying with her enough? or shes bored? my cat Neko (also a tuxedo cat ) used to do that...then i got her some toys and played with her for a good hour or two....then she got tired and went to sleep :wink: ..........so i do the same ritual every day.......play with her and then......FREEDOM!!!!!!!!

 

[drjean]

too much love

Good point, Meagan, about playing with her more. Tire her out a couple of times a day (your son can do it!), and she might have less energy for you!

Another good option is flower essences. Bach flowers like Chicory (needy child) and Star of Bethlehem (to release past trauma), might be helpful, or you could try one of the many formulas on the market made for animals. www.spiritessence.com , www.greenhopefarms.com , www.anaflora.com

Cheers,
Dr. Jean

 

[PeanutsMom]

I just read a great book called "We're Having a Kitten!" and it describes some of the behavior cats do. For example, rubbing up against you is her putting her scent on you to "claim" you. Apparenty (and I don't claim to be an expert) they'll do this anytime you wash your clothes/sheets. It said the same thing about closed doors, that the cat wants to "mark" that room and claim it as part of his kingdom.

I would recommend that book, and also, like the others have said to try to play w/her hardcore for a bit to tucker her out.

My kitten mewos when we cook dinner too, what is up with that?

 

[Sheridan's_Mom]

Thanks to all for your ideas

I haven't been able to get on the puter much lately since my son seems to live on it. I just caught up with all the replies to my post. Thank you all for the ideas. I'm definitely checking some of your ideas out!

As far as more play time. I try. I really do. She is very picky about what she will play with. She loves chasing milk rings but tires of that after about 2 minutes. She also loves to stalk and pounce on the frazzled end of a long piece of thick twine we jiggle along the ground. But she will only "play" with me. When my son tries to play with her she just ignores him or will play with him for a minute then just walk away.

We've figured out she has a very short attention span. She doesn't like to play for long - maybe it's her age - I know just how she feels! :lol:

I know I am very fortunate that she loves me so much. I agree that she might see me as her "savior" after her bad home before. Sheridan is loved and I know she is trying to show me how much she loves me. Guess I'll just have to adapt. Thanks for the input!

 

[Majicou]

I just read a great book called "We're Having a Kitten!" and it describes some of the behavior cats do. For example, rubbing up against you is her putting her scent on you to "claim" you. Apparenty (and I don't claim to be an expert) they'll do this anytime you wash your clothes/sheets. It said the same thing about closed doors, that the cat wants to "mark" that room and claim it as part of his kingdom.

I would recommend that book, and also, like the others have said to try to play w/her hardcore for a bit to tucker her out.

My kitten mewos when we cook dinner too, what is up with that?

Most cats who meow when their owners are cooking dinner are probably demanding to know why all that yummy food is in a microwave/oven/saucepan, and not in their feeding dish!