Why Is Your Cat Suddenly so Clingy?

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Why Is Your Cat Suddenly so Clingy?

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During companionship with your lovely pet, your cat can pass very different stages and shows various behavior patterns. Sometimes, your self-confident cat, who has always acted independently and mind its own business, can behave completely unusual. Not overly enthusiastic about being cuddled and petted once, the cat suddenly begins to follow you around and becomes too clingy. No doubt that this new affection of your cat can please you, but there are some underlying reasons, which have to be examined. The article “Stuck On You? 6 Reasons Why Your CH Cat May Be Extra Clingy” explains the common reasons for these behavioral changes.

Why Is Your Cat Suddenly so Clingy?

They’re nervous. Some of our CH kitties may feel vulnerable – insecure in their abilities to keep themselves safe. They may stick close to us, since they view us as protectors and providers.
They’re insecure. Consider any changes that have occurred in your home recently. Have you moved the furniture around? Purchased a new rug that may have a strong odor to it? Changes like these can be intimidating to your cat.
They’re new. Along those lines, cats who are new to a household, who haven’t found their place in the hierarchy yet, may also feel insecure and may latch on to you. As the provider, you’re seen as an excellent ally and a source of comfort.
There are mommy issues. If your kitten was separated from her mother too early, it may have resulted in some bonding complications. Perhaps your kitten has problems with trust; perhaps you’re imprinted in her mind as her true mother. Either way, this can result in a very close bond.
They were rescued. Rescued cats may also have trust issues and be overly clingy. Their prior lives may have been difficult, which could have instilled many fears in them. Once they’ve found a forever home, they may worry that it’s temporary, or cling to you out of thankfulness.
It’s a health issue. Sometimes if clingy behavior develops out of the blue, there could be something else going on behind the scenes. A radical behavior change, like extreme dependence, can signal medical problems. You may want to schedule a quick trip to your vet to rule out any serious issues.

However, be sure that you do not mix demanding cat with the clingy one. Demanding cats are the ones who try to dominate and get immediately what they want. But, if you notice that your cat needs support and protection from you, then it is time to watch out these reasons carefully. Recall recent events: maybe there are changes in your surroundings – such us new loud sounds, or new dog in your neighborhood or whatever the cat finds threatening. Beware of any cause for such behavioral swing, and if the cat continues with its needy manners, go to the vet and check the cat’s health condition. Although, you can like very much your suddenly cuddly cat and its latest behavior, it could be a warning sign which should not go unnoticed.

8 Responses

  1. Chris B. says:

    I took my male cat in as a stray 9 years ago. The vet estimated that he was about 6 or 7 years old at the time. He had belonged to someone at one time because he had been neutered. He has been strictly an indoor cat for the past 4 1/2 years. In Feb. 2016 he was diagnosed with lymphoma with the growth being somewhere in the nasal/sinus area. He has been on a Prednisone treatment plan since then with the knowledge that it would only prolong his life 2-6 months. We are coming up on the 5 month mark. Over the past month and a half he has become very clingy which is unusual for him. He lays down between the sofa and the coffee table all the time now and there have been a number of times where I have been curled up on the sofa and go to put my feet on the floor only to end up stepping on him. If my feet are already on the floor, then he will sleep with his head resting on one of them. I have tripped over him a number of times because he has followed me into the kitchen and stood right at my feet while I prepared his food and I didn’t realize he was there because it isn’t like him to do that. He wakes me up several times a night to eat wet food. I know the Prednisone can affect his appetite but even after I feed him, he gets in bed and gets so close to my face that his eyebrow whiskers tickle my face. He can appear to be sound asleep but if I go into my office to work on my computer, 2 minutes later he appears and is right on my feet. Anymore, if I am reading the newspaper at the kitchen table, he sit or lays right next to my feet. It’s like he is underfoot all the time now and one or both of us is going to get hurt. All of this is new behavior and I don’t know if this is a sign that he knows the end is near or a sign that he is in pain or what to make of it.

  2. Sarah says:

    Hello,
    My cat has had an a change in appetite. He is starving all of the time and would eat wet food all day if I gave it to him. He has also become very clingy, for being a bit of a stand-off ish cat.
    He already has Renial failure issues & has had gallbladder issues in the past.
    I took him to the Vet, who is excellent & only works with cats. After the exam, bloodwork, urinalysis, and fecal sample all that has come back is slight elevation in the protein in his urine ( probably the renial issues) which he is on Medicated food for. His liver enzymes were also slightly elavated.
    At this time the vets reccomendations are to keep a close eye on his weight, water intake and stool and urine. She stated that there is a slight possibility that there could be a tumor or mass on his kidneys or liver causing these issues. The only way to figure this out would be an abdominal ultra sound which is around 450.00. His last vet appointment was 400.00. I would do anything for my cat, Charlie, but sadly am a paycheck to paycheck girl right now, and cannot afford the ultrasound at this time.
    Any suggestions for possible causes and ways to help him would be greatly appreciated.
    Thank you
    Sarah

    • Laura Wilson says:

      Hi, I am also having these same issues with my cat, Panther. He had also been vomiting often along with not eating or drinking water. I took him to the vet and they couldn’t find anything wrong with him. They wanted to do an X-ray, but that would have costed me alot more. Did you find out what to do for your cat?

      • Melissa says:

        Hi Laura,

        My kitty ended up being cancer free but there’s something that has elevated his liver readings. The x–ray showed something but no one can determine what it is without a biopsy which I can’t afford. The vet stated that the kidney is causing the liver readings to be escalated. The diagnosis remained very vague and I had spent almost $2000 already before putting a stop to tests. What was determined is that he had an inflammation of the intestine. They put him on a special prescription diet and he will be taking steroids every two days for the rest of his life. This has controlled his disease extremely well. The vomiting has stopped and he has a great appetite. His behaviour around us is normal yet again; however, I’m not at this point sure if he’ll live to old age or have a shortened life from this disease since we still don’t really know a lot about what’s causing it per say. It’s nice to see him feeling his old self though. I hope this description helps in your diagnosis. Perhaps mention the intestinal inflammation issue. Good luck!!

  3. Sarah,
    I’m so sorry to hear of your sadness with your cat. Banfield Pet Hospital, out here in the Petsmart, was wonderful in saving our little boy, Shadow. We could not have afforded his hospital bills were it not for the CareCredit credit card. His bill was around $1,500, but we had a lot of time to pay it off. Please look them up. If they do not work out for you I think there are other pet insurance portions available too. Just search.

  4. Melissa says:

    Hi Sarah,

    I could have written your post myself which is bizarre as yours is the only comment. It hit me hard reading about the possible tumour. I hope you had a positive outcome. I’m going to schedule a checkup to look into this further.

  5. anonymous says:

    Hello,
    My cat Toby has always been quite to himself, not very social or talkative unless he is hungry. Today, he all of a sudden became social, needy, constantly wanting to be around me and my family, meowing for no reason. We have checked to see if he needs anything (like food, water, clean cat box.) and he doesn’t. I don’t mind his new behavior, I am just concerned for him. I don’t want to take him to the vet unless it is life or death.
    Please help,
    Thank you!

  1. September 5, 2017

    […] Another reason as to why your cat may be extra clingy is that she is new and may still feel a bit insecure. This happens when your cat has not found her own spot yet. Therefore, she has the tendency to latch on your more. As the owner, she may also expect you to be her main source of comfort. […]

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