I have had a tabby cat since I was 14. She is roughly 10 years old now. She has always been very distant. Comes around when she wants food/water and a little petting. She never wants to be held and has never been a lap cat. She is an indoor cat. This last week she has been acting completely normal except for the fact that she has to be in my lap when I am sitting door or she has to sleep right next too me. She has even started to shadow me around the apartment. This is unheard of. I am starting to wonder if she might be sick or...maybe there is something else going on. Nothing at home has changed. No new pets, medications, or new food. Has any one had this happen and can you possibly give me reasons why she would suddenly change after 10 years?
Took my kitty in to the vet today and she is perfectly fine. Although I scheduled her for a teeth cleaning (She probably won't give me attention ever again). I am now 5 days late on my period and find myself sleeping a lot more then I usually do. HPT never have worked for me, so I am just going to wait it out till my Dr. Appointment on Oct. 6th. I never knew that cats or animals could sense something like that. Google gave me a lot more stories lol. If I am pregnant, it'll make a cute story. Thank you all for the advice and I will update if I am pregnant.
Midlife crisis? (our tabbies usually live till apx 20)
Seriously, though... go buy a pregnancy test. I'll put $5 down that the TTC has worked. Our scent & pheramones change when we'er pregnant.
That or arthritis. We finally had 3 weeks over 75...and now it's in the 50s/60s again. Ih her joints are hurting... the warmth from your lap feelimg good on achy bones
I would make an appointment for a check up for you and one for the cat.
I have had cats all my life (the parents had a cat before they had us kids) - and have always found girl cats to be a little more independent than boy cats. One of my girls, was very attached to my other cat - to the point that she really didn't have much to do with me. Her companion cat (a male) was always in my lap and slept by me every night, but she, not so much. Until she hit about 12 - then she suddenly became very lovey dovey with me and my son. Would sleep *on* me, get on my lap, ask to be petted. All very weird for her. Took her to the vet for a check up - she was very healthy. It just took her 12 years to realize that I was more than just a source for food, water and a clean litter box. LOL
Run your kitty into the vet for a quick check up, just to be sure, then just enjoy the new attention you are getting from her.
Who really knows what goes on their little cat brains.
God Bless
A ten year old cat isn't old. Take her to the vet. My dog used to escape from the house, walk six blocks to my office and let himself in as the patients opened the door. One night I had a dream that something was wrong with his eye. We went to the vet and sure enough he had a foxtail stuck in his third eyelid.
both of my cats got more affectionate (one got needy) in their older age. Our vet said it's common for older cats to want more attn. my vet also said that it was probably a gradual transition and at some point it was enough i noticed, but it seemed like a pretty quick switch to me.
whatever it is, enjoy the love :)
PS, that would be a great story if you are PG!
Riley could be right. Cat's are very intuitive. Are you stressed out? They can sense that too.
Maybe because she is getting older and her personality is mellowing a bit? Or maybe jus tbecaus ethe weather is getting colder? Or it could just be a combination of those things? She isn't really that old. Most of the indoor cats I have known or owned have lived to be almost 20. But with "middle age", she may be slowing down a bit.
Just watch for other things, like her eating adn drinking habits. If you notice anything more, you might bring it to your vet's attention at her next check-up. Or how about you? Cats are pretty sensitive? Are you feeling okay? :)
I agree with Riley and Gramma T - my (male!) cat knew I was pregnant before I did. The cat is probably perfectly healthy, though I'd suggest lab work to make sure - and you should get checked out too.
Many cats tend to mellow out and seek companionship as they get older. Just in case tho, I'd have a basic workup on her to make sure her body is still functioning at a good capacity!!
I haven't had a chance to read the rest of the posts but I just wanted to throw in that maybe there is nothing wrong with her, but something amiss with you? Have you had any recent changes in your health? I know it sounds stupid but you've probably heard of pets who warn people of seizures or other diseases. I don't know...don't mean to freak you out, just thought I'd throw that out there.
Is Riley right? Are you trying to conceive? My cat always "knew" before I did that I was pregnant and he was contstantly loving and snuggling on me. (He would even wake me up at all hours wanting to just know that I was awake with him--that wasn't so cool.)
Call your vet if you're really worried, but we've had cats with all sorts of temperaments definitely mellow as well.
