Hi, I have a 16 year old short hair black cat who I have had since his birth. He has a history of FLUTD and has had to have surgery twice but has been fine
since his second surgery which was 12 years ago. He was recently diagnosed with renal failure and has been on Science Diet K/D wet and dry food with no
issues. Every 10 weeks or so he has a violent bout of nausea and diahrea and has to be given a shot to stop the nausea and IV fluids, but then seems to do
fine after that for awhile.
My cat is my soul mate and we have always been very attached to one another. He sleeps on my head or my chest at night and he is usually near me during the day. Lately I have noticed some changes in him that reflect his aging process. His fur is getting a lot of grey in it. His eyes are getting cloudy looking. He falls asleep and is out cold for a good chunk of the day.
But lately I have also noticed he has an increased "neediness" to be on my lap. If I get up to do stuff around the house, he follows me around crying loudly (not a painful cry, just his annoying I want your attention NOW cry). He doesn't stop unless I chase him off or pick him up and hold him. If I shoo him off my lap, he gets crazy persistant and won't stop until he gets back on my lap. He has always loved to snuggle, but its getting worse. He would seriously let me hold him 24 hours a day...so what I am wondering is: is this type of behaviour normal? Does it mean anything?
I feel guilty not holding him, I know he is old and his health is not the greatest with the renal failure and I worry if I don't hold him now then I might not have another opportunity. I am going to be devestated when he dies, I can't even think about it much because it overwhelms me, so I hate to miss any time with him, but I am a busy mom and can't sit in my chair all day holding my cat, as much as we would both like that.
So.... any ideas. I did pull out his sherpa cat bed tonight and put him in it (repeatedly) and he seems to have let me win this battle, he finally snuggled up and went to sleep.
I just want to make sure that this clingy behaviour isn't a sign of something worse.
Thanks
Kelly
Edited to add picture: Here he is in July 2009, but he actually looks a lot older now (sigh). He still has a great coat, its just turning grey and somehow he has gained 2lbs on his new diet cat food (whoops!) so his appetite is still good.
My cat is my soul mate and we have always been very attached to one another. He sleeps on my head or my chest at night and he is usually near me during the day. Lately I have noticed some changes in him that reflect his aging process. His fur is getting a lot of grey in it. His eyes are getting cloudy looking. He falls asleep and is out cold for a good chunk of the day.
But lately I have also noticed he has an increased "neediness" to be on my lap. If I get up to do stuff around the house, he follows me around crying loudly (not a painful cry, just his annoying I want your attention NOW cry). He doesn't stop unless I chase him off or pick him up and hold him. If I shoo him off my lap, he gets crazy persistant and won't stop until he gets back on my lap. He has always loved to snuggle, but its getting worse. He would seriously let me hold him 24 hours a day...so what I am wondering is: is this type of behaviour normal? Does it mean anything?
I feel guilty not holding him, I know he is old and his health is not the greatest with the renal failure and I worry if I don't hold him now then I might not have another opportunity. I am going to be devestated when he dies, I can't even think about it much because it overwhelms me, so I hate to miss any time with him, but I am a busy mom and can't sit in my chair all day holding my cat, as much as we would both like that.
So.... any ideas. I did pull out his sherpa cat bed tonight and put him in it (repeatedly) and he seems to have let me win this battle, he finally snuggled up and went to sleep.
I just want to make sure that this clingy behaviour isn't a sign of something worse.
Thanks
Kelly
Edited to add picture: Here he is in July 2009, but he actually looks a lot older now (sigh). He still has a great coat, its just turning grey and somehow he has gained 2lbs on his new diet cat food (whoops!) so his appetite is still good.
