First, I'm a newbie to this forum. I've tried to keep this as short as possible, but I apologize up front for the length of this post.
I've always had at least two cats all my life - and we're talking a LOT of years here - but I've never come across anything like this! Right now we have 4 cats ages 5 through 10. They get along fine with only the usual occasional squabbles. All are indoor cats.
The one I'm writing about, Clyde, is a 10 year old black and white tuxedo cat. As a kitten he attached to me, which I've heard is not uncommon for these cats. Over the years, though, he's gradually become more and more attached, and it's gotten to the point that I feel like I'm being stalked
He follows me everywhere, not an uncommon behavior. But this goes way beyond that. No matter what room I'm in he's right there, watching me. If I'm sitting on the couch he'll sit on the coffee table right in front of me and stare at me. If he's in my lap and I need to get up, he puts all his weight against me so I can't move him. If he falls asleep and I happen to leave that room, when he wakes up he goes through the house meowing/crying. Of course he's right up against me when I'm in bed. I always get up once or twice during the night. He used to stay in bed, but now he gets up and follows me. He'll position himself in a spot where he can see me no matter which route I take back to the bedroom. AND if I'm in bed he either waits until I get up to go eat or use the box. If he can't wait, he'll look very closely at my face to make sure I'm asleep, run down the hall to do one or both, and race back. I woke up one night last week but didn't move, just opened my eyes, and instead of sleeping in his usual "right up against me" position, he was sitting there staring at me!
Today he added a new one. I'm out of work and tend to stay up late which of course means I sometimes sleep a little late.
If I'm lying in bed, awake or not, he's right there with me. BUT if I sit up, or get up and move around in the room, he stands in the doorway so he won't miss it if I leave the room.
I'm in my "workroom" right now which is my college student daughter's bedroom. Clyde is on the bed directly across from where I'm sitting.
Over the years I've had changes in work schedules and daily routines. I worked nights for a few years and my husband said Clyde would stay on the loveseat staring at the door until he fell asleep or I came home. About a year ago he had PU surgery and was at the vet's for 5 or 6 days which was the first time he's been away from home. These things could be contributing to his behavior but I truly don't think any or all of them are causing it because he's been doing this from kittenhood. It's just getting worse as time goes by.
He's a very loving cat and very affectionate with everyone in the family, but he's only this way with me. The other 3 cats are female and he's like their mother - we call him the Nurturer. He and the next oldest cat will sleep together and he'll have his front paws around her like he's holding her.
I've tried ignoring him, giving him as much attention as possible, making a point of telling him when I'm leaving the room so he can come with me and not think I'm sneaking off, and countless other things. Nothing has made a difference. I love him with all my heart but I have to admit this is getting very annoying, not to mention creepy at times.
Anyone have or had a cat who acts like this, to this degree? Maybe he's just getting old and that's making it worse? All comments and suggestions are welcome!
I've always had at least two cats all my life - and we're talking a LOT of years here - but I've never come across anything like this! Right now we have 4 cats ages 5 through 10. They get along fine with only the usual occasional squabbles. All are indoor cats.
The one I'm writing about, Clyde, is a 10 year old black and white tuxedo cat. As a kitten he attached to me, which I've heard is not uncommon for these cats. Over the years, though, he's gradually become more and more attached, and it's gotten to the point that I feel like I'm being stalked
He follows me everywhere, not an uncommon behavior. But this goes way beyond that. No matter what room I'm in he's right there, watching me. If I'm sitting on the couch he'll sit on the coffee table right in front of me and stare at me. If he's in my lap and I need to get up, he puts all his weight against me so I can't move him. If he falls asleep and I happen to leave that room, when he wakes up he goes through the house meowing/crying. Of course he's right up against me when I'm in bed. I always get up once or twice during the night. He used to stay in bed, but now he gets up and follows me. He'll position himself in a spot where he can see me no matter which route I take back to the bedroom. AND if I'm in bed he either waits until I get up to go eat or use the box. If he can't wait, he'll look very closely at my face to make sure I'm asleep, run down the hall to do one or both, and race back. I woke up one night last week but didn't move, just opened my eyes, and instead of sleeping in his usual "right up against me" position, he was sitting there staring at me!
Today he added a new one. I'm out of work and tend to stay up late which of course means I sometimes sleep a little late.
I'm in my "workroom" right now which is my college student daughter's bedroom. Clyde is on the bed directly across from where I'm sitting.
Over the years I've had changes in work schedules and daily routines. I worked nights for a few years and my husband said Clyde would stay on the loveseat staring at the door until he fell asleep or I came home. About a year ago he had PU surgery and was at the vet's for 5 or 6 days which was the first time he's been away from home. These things could be contributing to his behavior but I truly don't think any or all of them are causing it because he's been doing this from kittenhood. It's just getting worse as time goes by.
He's a very loving cat and very affectionate with everyone in the family, but he's only this way with me. The other 3 cats are female and he's like their mother - we call him the Nurturer. He and the next oldest cat will sleep together and he'll have his front paws around her like he's holding her.
I've tried ignoring him, giving him as much attention as possible, making a point of telling him when I'm leaving the room so he can come with me and not think I'm sneaking off, and countless other things. Nothing has made a difference. I love him with all my heart but I have to admit this is getting very annoying, not to mention creepy at times.
Anyone have or had a cat who acts like this, to this degree? Maybe he's just getting old and that's making it worse? All comments and suggestions are welcome!