Cats can also become more affectionate due to their brains aging. As they begin to lose sight or hearing ability, they can become more confused and prone to disorientation, which in turn can make them feel more anxious and become clingier as a result.
Aging or health issues can lead to clingy behavior
If your cat's getting older, your senior cat may become extra clingy. An aging cat who feels more vulnerable may start relying on you more. As her senses decline and she isn't seeing or hearing as well, she may turn to you for help in understanding her world.
"Just as we become set in our ways as we get older, cats do too," Dr. Goldstein says. "Some cats may need more emotional support as they age and others may prefer to be left alone," he explains. "They may become more dependent on relationships and require more attention.
Your cat might be clingy simply because they aren't getting enough mental and physical stimulation, says Petbucket. Taking breaks to play with your cat and providing interactive toys to help keep them active and entertained throughout the day can help in these cases.
Newness. Whether the cat is new to you or you've moved to a new space together, it can take a cat awhile to get used to its new surroundings. People, smells, and spaces can all overwhelm your cat, causing them to draw closer to you for support.
“Sometimes it is stress, but you can't blame everything on stress. Many cats demand attention when there's no stress, but they like to be petted, talked to and played with.” If a cat discovers that the behavior brings him what he wants, he'll increase it to get more attention.
Cats are social beings that form strong relationships with their owners. Therefore, if their social and feeding needs are not met over periods of solitude the cats can become depressed and feel separation anxiety.
Becoming clingy might be their way of asking for help because they're dealing with a serious health concern. If your cat won't stop following you around and is experiencing additional issues like weight loss, inappetence or anxiety, it's a clear sign that something is wrong.
Separation Anxiety in Cats
Additionally, extreme clingy behavior can erode your mutual bond — just when your cat is feeling most needy and insecure. The annoyance caused by the constant attention of an obsessively clingy cat can cause even the most loving owner to back away.
Once home your fur baby might constantly be under your feet or meowing for your attention. If you're their primary source of entertainment and stimulation your fur baby might become clingy. If your cat seems playful when they do, it may be a sign that they simply need more enrichment in their lives.
Howling, crying, hiding, and otherwise acting in a way that is out of character for your pet should alert you that something may be seriously wrong. Changes in litter box habits, particularly in male cats, can indicate a serious health problem.
For example, if have a new job and schedule, the cat might seem clingy when you get home. Most of the time, they can grow out of this. You will find that a good way to prevent this type of problem from developing in the first place is to give the cats a lot of attention when they are young.
According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) Senior Care Guidelines, older cats are classified as mature or middle-aged at 7 to 10 years old, as senior cats at 11 to 14 years old, and geriatric from 15 to 25 years old.
It's more common for older cats to follow their owners around than younger cats, who are often too busy exploring or playing to be interested in what we're doing. If you notice your cat become a lot more clingy than usual, speak to your vet to make sure there isn't a medical cause for their change in behaviour.
Cats can also become more affectionate due to their brains aging. As they begin to lose sight or hearing ability, they can become more confused and prone to disorientation, which in turn can make them feel more anxious and become clingier as a result.
Can cats sense emotions? Cats can sense how people are feeling, so your cat actually can tell when you're sad. “Cats can definitely sense when you are sad because they are highly attuned to your normal behaviors and moods, and if there is a change, they sense it,” Dr. Wooten told The Dodo.
Cats have the power to sense their owner's emotions. So, cats have the ability to feel whenever their owner is sad. Beyond sadness, domestic cats are also able to feel whenever their owner has switched moods and emotions.
If your cat sleeps on your bed, he may choose a position that lets him see out your bedroom door more easily. If he's curled up in a ball under your bed or in a quiet corner, then he may be hiding. Cats who sleep under the covers might love being close to you, or they might be hiding to feel safer.
Burmese are often considered to be the most affectionate cat breed. They love being with people at all times and crave close physical contact, making them the ultimate companion cat for a devoted family. They will follow their owner from room to room and prefer to cuddle up on the sofa or sleep in bed with them.
Just like babies and dogs, cats form a deep emotional bond with the humans living around them, according to new research.
Noise Like TV or Radio
Noise is a great way to calm a cat's separation anxiety. Consider leaving a tv or radio on at low volume to keep your cat company.
The length of time you can leave a grown-up cat alone depends on the cat, his diet, and your environment. Cats who eat dry food that you can make readily available may be left on their own for 24-48 hours as long as fresh water is accessible as well.
Even with the convenience of a litter box and an endless supply of food, cats left alone for long stretches of time, day after day, can suffer from loneliness, boredom, and even separation anxiety.
A cat who hasn't had enough social interaction will continue to annoy you; a cat that is fearful will continue to hiss or swat. Lastly, but no less important, ignoring a cat can build frustration if the cat doesn't know any other way to behave or has been rewarded for their behavior in the past.