My new cat is constantly underfoot and won't let me move an inch w/o his getting in my way

[dianajune]

I don't know why Sam is doing this. We've been bonding since I adopted him two weeks ago and we are getting to know each other very well. However, this evening he's showing behaviour that I just don't understand.

I had to take a nap because I've been horribly sleep deprived again. When I got up, I needed to use the bathroom but he got in the way. Then I wanted to do his dishes. Then Sam got in the way. Then I needed to take my medicine. Then he got in the way. Then I needed to take a shower. And he got in the way.

I finally got my shower and was getting ready to take the garbage out....then Sam got in the way. Then I forgot to take my insulin shot, so when I was getting ready to do that, Sam started chewing on the garbage bag that I had sitting in the hallway, ready to be disposed of in the garbage room. I had to stop what I was doing and made him leave the bag alone. I had to reinforce that bag with another one and then got my shot and was getting ready to go down the hall with our trash but had to get my keys first....and he got in the way.

I don't know how to say this w/o sounding like a horrible cat Mommy - because I love Sam to pieces - but tonight he's driving me bats$## crazy.

To make matters worse, when I got back to our apartment, I found Sam very close to our door and he looked like he wanted to get out - just like his big brother Pumpkin. I tried to close the door as quietly as possible AND keep him from running out but lost my grip and it slammed loudly. It's after 2 am and I pray that our neighbours won't complain. I couldn't help it. Our doors are heavy and they slam loudly.

As for that garbage bag, there were small pieces here and there and I am concerned he may have ingested some of the bag but if he did it wasn't much. I pray to God that he won't get sick.

I had to grab a bite to eat, this laptop and tablet and went into the bedroom and closed the door to have some me-time so I could type this.

What do you make of this? Is it because he had it rough before the shelter got him before I adopted him? Again, I love my Sam with all of my heart. Thanks.

 

[vampiric_conure]

When you find out what to do, tell me! I have the EXACT same problem with Puddles, complete with her interrupting me from taking insulin and closing heavy doors! I make food and she's practically tripping me. I'm in the loo, and she's there observing me/in the tub/sink/inches away from me. Little snot. Love her to bits, but she sure knows how to cause a traffic jam!

 

[Tik cat's mum]

It sounds to me like Sam has bonded with you.. I have 3 boy's so I know they can get underfoot. I say my boy's are scared they'll miss something as the saying goes curiosity killed the cat. He had it rough you said so now he has someone who love's him he's making sure you are not going anywhere. As for trying to door dash if he's watching Pumkin go outdoors then he'll believe in his cat brain he can. Most of us on here have learned the kitten shuffle were we walk sliding our feet so we don't step on our cat's especially in the night and blocking doorways as we come inside the house with bag's and our bodies. Once he releases you aren't going away and will come back hopefully he'll let you have slightly more peace.

 

[dianajune]

When you find out what to do, tell me! I have the EXACT same problem with Puddles, complete with her interrupting me from taking insulin and closing heavy doors! I make food and she's practically tripping me. I'm in the loo, and she's there observing me/in the tub/sink/inches away from me. Little snot. Love her to bits, but she sure knows how to cause a traffic jam!

So far I haven't figured that out! lol

Sam likes to join me in the loo too and the first several days I had him he liked joining me in the bathroom while taking a shower. But on the outside of the shower curtain! I think he was trying to understand what I was doing in there! heheheeee

 

[dianajune]

It sounds to me like Sam has bonded with you.. I have 3 boy's so I know they can get underfoot. I say my boy's are scared they'll miss something as the saying goes curiosity killed the cat. He had it rough you said so now he has someone who love's him he's making sure you are not going anywhere. As for trying to door dash if he's watching Pumkin go outdoors then he'll believe in his cat brain he can. Most of us on here have learned the kitten shuffle were we walk sliding our feet so we don't step on our cat's especially in the night and blocking doorways as we come inside the house with bag's and our bodies. Once he releases you aren't going away and will come back hopefully he'll let you have slightly more peace.

Sam reminds me of his brother Pumpkin, who passed away several months ago. Pumpkin used to try to sneak out whenever I left the apartment and came home. He was quite the escape artist. He made it a couple of times but I had neighbours close by who would catch him for me. Anyway, I was reminded of that late last night when I returned from taking out the garbage. Sam never wanted to go near the door until then. I hope he won't try this again.

 

[di and bob]

It has only been ywo weeks and he loves you for saving him. You know, my cats only do this velcro thing when they are hungry, could he be not getting enough food, or thinks he isn't? A full stomach usually brings on a nap for them. If you are woriied about getting him overweight, get him weight management food so he could have more. I get weight management, grainfree dry to leave out, especially when we are gone. I use Blue Buffalo, but there are many out there, especially at Tractor Supply. Get a kickeroo on Amazon or some other pet site and throw it towards him when he is coming for you, that helps to distract them. I even keep one in a bag of catnip to keep them 'fresh'. They are irresistable to cats. MOST cats get more and more comfortable and get independent as time goes by. At least 6 months.

 

[Tik cat's mum]

Sam reminds me of his brother Pumpkin, who passed away several months ago. Pumpkin used to try to sneak out whenever I left the apartment and came home. He was quite the escape artist. He made it a couple of times but I had neighbours close by who would catch him for me. Anyway, I was reminded of that late last night when I returned from taking out the garbage. Sam never wanted to go near the door until then. I hope he won't try this again.

I'm so sorry for your loss, I thought when you said like his brother Pumpkin that Pumpkin was still with you. Sam is probably just trying to explore some more. He'll eventually get it that it's a no go. I was hanging washing out only the other day and thought all my 3 were safely in the living room door closed. I went to walk back inside and Patches was stood at the side of me watching. It can be scary especially when your not expecting it. Luckily I scooped him up and back inside he'd opened the door by standing on my side and both paws on the handle. They are clever and tricky.

 

[VAMama]

My first thought was he sensed you were "sick" before your nap and he got more worried when you fell asleep at an unusual time.

 

[dianajune]

It has only been ywo weeks and he loves you for saving him. You know, my cats only do this velcro thing when they are hungry, could he be not getting enough food, or thinks he isn't? A full stomach usually brings on a nap for them. If you are woriied about getting him overweight, get him weight management food so he could have more. I get weight management, grainfree dry to leave out, especially when we are gone. I use Blue Buffalo, but there are many out there, especially at Tractor Supply. Get a kickeroo on Amazon or some other pet site and throw it towards him when he is coming for you, that helps to distract them. I even keep one in a bag of catnip to keep them 'fresh'. They are irresistable to cats. MOST cats get more and more comfortable and get independent as time goes by. At least 6 months.

Food isn't an issue. He's got food all over the place, just like Pumpkin did. Sam's favourite place to eat is the kitchen, where he has two water bowls (one on the counter and the other is in the sink because he likes to drink there), one bowl of dry food and one bowl of canned food.

He has food and water in the living room and bedroom too.

I'm thinking about getting a fountain for him if I can find one that doesn't break down easily and isn't hard to maintain.

 

[dianajune]

I'm so sorry for your loss, I thought when you said like his brother Pumpkin that Pumpkin was still with you. Sam is probably just trying to explore some more. He'll eventually get it that it's a no go. I was hanging washing out only the other day and thought all my 3 were safely in the living room door closed. I went to walk back inside and Patches was stood at the side of me watching. It can be scary especially when your not expecting it. Luckily I scooped him up and back inside he'd opened the door by standing on my side and both paws on the handle. They are clever and tricky.

Thank you. It's been a little over four months since Pumpkin died and I'm still hurting. Sam is helping with the pain. In many ways he reminds me of his big brother.

One of my friends has a cat who figured out how their front door opens. So far as I know she hasn't gotten out but knowing her, she probably did. The only doors that Sam can open (for now anyway!) are the cabinet doors in our kitchen. Sam can be quite mischievous!

 

[dianajune]

My first thought was he sensed you were "sick" before your nap and he got more worried when you fell asleep at an unusual time.

That's possible. I have chronic tummy issues that wear me out so much that I sometimes have to lie down for a few hours. I had to take a nap late yesterday afternoon. It's been an issue for me for many years but yesterday it was pretty bad. I got up from my nap much later than I wanted to.

 

[game misconduct]

just gently nudge him outta the way with a foot or a leg while shooing him away just becareful not to step on him. he will get the idea i do that to graycie all the time everycat i have lived with thinking back on it. he will protest or even hiss at you for shooing him away just give em affection and pets after and all will be good thenim constantly shooing graycie away from my tarantula cages when i must give them water or daily from walking across my laptop keyboard thats just what cats do is get in the way

 

[Cat McCannon]

This is normal for a cat that’s starting to feel comfortable in their home. Now it’s time for the two of you to set boundaries with each other. This phase is also normal.

 

[dianajune]

just gently nudge him outta the way with a foot or a leg while shooing him away just becareful not to step on him. he will get the idea i do that to graycie all the time everycat i have lived with thinking back on it. he will protest or even hiss at you for shooing him away just give em affection and pets after and all will be good thenim constantly shooing graycie away from my tarantula cages when i must give them water or daily from walking across my laptop keyboard thats just what cats do is get in the way

I have to be extra careful because of my power wheelchair. At first this wasn't an issue because Sam apparently never saw one before and was scared of it. Not anymore.

I went to bingo in the building today and forgot my chips, so I had to come back to retrieve them. Sam got up from his nap and plopped himself on the floor between me and the front door. So I got sneaky....I got a couple of his toys and tossed them towards the bedroom door like I wanted to play catch. It worked like a charm & I escaped! lol

 

[dianajune]

This is normal for a cat that’s starting to feel comfortable in their home. Now it’s time for the two of you to set boundaries with each other. This phase is also normal.

It seems different than with Pumpkin, but maybe because of how I met Sam's brother. Pumpkin was abandoned near our old apartment building in Pulaski NY. He went from door to door looking for company and food. Then Winter came and I had to take him in. There was no way I was going to let him freeze to death, get run over by a car or something else happen. So by the time I adopted him, we were well acquainted. With Sam that's not the case.

I love my little boy to pieces. When I returned from bingo this afternoon he joined me in the bathroom, wanting lots of affection! He was done before me (sorry about the TMI) and when I was getting ready to leave the bathroom, Sam came up to my wheelchair and it looked like he was trying to jump on it. He didn't, not sure why. So I thought I would try to pick him up but that was a no-go. Maybe he will let me over time.

 

[maggie101]

My apartment is majorly catified and she has a new toy someone
put together for me. You can put treats in or toys
Cat trees,cubes,chew toys,wand toys

 

[catloverfromwayback]

So far I haven't figured that out! lol

Sam likes to join me in the loo too and the first several days I had him he liked joining me in the bathroom while taking a shower. But on the outside of the shower curtain! I think he was trying to understand what I was doing in there! heheheeee

I haven't been to the loo alone in years! Phoebe's favourite trick is jumping onto my lap and then my shoulder. Makes concentrating difficult, I can tell ya.

 

[maggie101]

Something I could have done to save money,though this was a present,get a cardboard box,punch holes in add chew in smaller boxes with treats and punch holes in

 

[maggie101]

Treat box was very helpful for a distraction.

 

[catloverfromwayback]

So far I haven't figured that out! lol

Sam likes to join me in the loo too and the first several days I had him he liked joining me in the bathroom while taking a shower. But on the outside of the shower curtain! I think he was trying to understand what I was doing in there! heheheeee

I haven't been to the loo alone in years! Phoebe's favourite trick is jumping onto my lap and then my shoulder. Makes concentrating difficult, I can tell ya.