I'd Appreciate Some Advice

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wmdiscenza - 15 Mar 2006 17:16 GMT

I have had a male cat, ELLIOTT, for nearly 2 years; he will be 3 year
old this fall. I work days and Elliott is home alone all day, M-F; h
is an indoor cat with all his claws intact. He is a well adjusted ca
and is affectionate; he does not scratch furniture, carpet and s
forth. Lately he seems to follow me around and want a lot of attention
especially in the mornings before I go to work. He likes to be pette
and when I do he sometimes bites and then licks me, purring all th
while. I do not think he is mad because he is purring loudly. When
walk away he chases and grabs my leg, he then lets go and runs awa
into his cat tunnel. I have never disciplined the cat, which i
probably part of the problem. Anyhow some friends have encouraged
others have discouraged, me to get Elliott a friend. Those encouragin
suggest he needs company; those discouraging say he'd miss being numbe
one and have behavior problems. Perhaps I need to spend more time wit
Elliott playing. I'd appreciate any advise or thoughts. Thank

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wmdiscenza

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Kelcey - 15 Mar 2006 22:08 GMT

>I have had a male cat, ELLIOTT, for nearly 2 years; he will be 3 year
>old this fall. I work days and Elliott is home alone all day, M-F; h
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>one and have behavior problems. Perhaps I need to spend more time wit
>Elliott playing. I'd appreciate any advise or thoughts. Thank

Sounds like Elliott loves to play and could use a little friend to run around
with. You could get a young cat (perhaps 6 months to a year old - any
younger than that might be too energetic - tiny kittens take so long to tire
out!) who has a lot of energy for Elliott to romp around the house with.
Just show him he's still number one if you get another - give him more
attention than the other at first. If he has someone to play with, it'll
also keep him in better shape due to the extra exercise.

>--
>wmdiscenza

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Priscilla H. Ballou - 15 Mar 2006 22:56 GMT

> >I have had a male cat, ELLIOTT, for nearly 2 years; he will be 3 year
> >old this fall. I work days and Elliott is home alone all day, M-F; h
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> attention than the other at first. If he has someone to play with, it'll
> also keep him in better shape due to the extra exercise.

This is excellent advice, IMO. He needs a playmate/tusslemate.

Priscilla

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Ted Davis - 15 Mar 2006 22:32 GMT

>I have had a male cat, ELLIOTT, for nearly 2 years; he will be 3 years
>old this fall. I work days and Elliott is home alone all day, M-F; he
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>one and have behavior problems. Perhaps I need to spend more time with
>Elliott playing. I'd appreciate any advise or thoughts. Thanks

I've never had any problem introducing kittens up to about nine months
or so old to my clowder, or in the past when I had only one or two
cats. Adults, especially not yet neutered males, are another story
entirely ... a sometimes violent story.

I do find that beyond two or three, the amount of space per cat
becomes important: there seem to be problems with less than about 100
square feet (9 square meters) per cat. In bad weather mine have less
than that and things get tense - in good weather when they go out,
they have essentially infinite reasonably safe space.

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T.E.D. (tdavis@gearbox.maem.umr.edu)

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morgenmarshall@hotmail.com - 29 Mar 2006 05:40 GMT

Take Elliott to the vet first. There may be something else causing the
change in behaviors. If all is well, then get another cat for him to
play with.

It may be separation anxiety, but there may also be something else.
Have you had someone come in while you were out lately? Cable person,
utilities, landlord? That may be part of it, as well. He may be
saying that he doesn't feel as safe with you gone.

Check out these other ideas before you take on another cat, which could
make the situation worse.

Morgen

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