I'm new to this site and new to cat ownership, although I grew up with cats. This is the first time I've had a cat of my own, though.
I recently adopted a cat from my aunt, who has early-onset Alzheimer's. She had him for about 11 years (he was a stray that she adopted). We think he is about 12-15 years old. Over the past year as my aunt began to get sick, she adopted more cats and by the time she had to move out of her house, she had 8, and they were not being well cared for. She has been unable to be at her home for the past few months, and while we were uncertain whether she might be able to go back, the cats remained there and someone went every day to feed and play with them.
It is now confirmed that she can't move home, so homes have been found for the cats. I took the oldest and he has moved into my apartment.
Needless to say, it's been a very stressful time for him with a lot of change. He's a lovely, social cat, but is extremely vocal and clingy with he. He meows constantly and wants to be on top of me all the time. At night, if I allow him in the bedroom, he never settles - just walks all over me, paws at my face, and meows. I have been shutting my bedroom door, but he hates to be alone and cries.
I also have to travel out of town sometimes. Since he loves people and other cats he has done okay on visits to my parents' house, except for the car trip, when he has howled the whole way and defecated in his carrier.
I have taken him to the vet, who says he's very healthy.
What can I do to help him settle in, while not encouraging the noisy, clingy behaviour?
I recently adopted a cat from my aunt, who has early-onset Alzheimer's. She had him for about 11 years (he was a stray that she adopted). We think he is about 12-15 years old. Over the past year as my aunt began to get sick, she adopted more cats and by the time she had to move out of her house, she had 8, and they were not being well cared for. She has been unable to be at her home for the past few months, and while we were uncertain whether she might be able to go back, the cats remained there and someone went every day to feed and play with them.
It is now confirmed that she can't move home, so homes have been found for the cats. I took the oldest and he has moved into my apartment.
Needless to say, it's been a very stressful time for him with a lot of change. He's a lovely, social cat, but is extremely vocal and clingy with he. He meows constantly and wants to be on top of me all the time. At night, if I allow him in the bedroom, he never settles - just walks all over me, paws at my face, and meows. I have been shutting my bedroom door, but he hates to be alone and cries.
I also have to travel out of town sometimes. Since he loves people and other cats he has done okay on visits to my parents' house, except for the car trip, when he has howled the whole way and defecated in his carrier.
I have taken him to the vet, who says he's very healthy.
What can I do to help him settle in, while not encouraging the noisy, clingy behaviour?