Coping with a Cat that Wants Constant Attention

Many cats are pretty self-sufficient and independent. But there are also a number of cats that are clingy and want constant attention from their owners. Some will howl when their needs are not catered to right away. How can you cope with a cat that wants constant attention?

Have You Met the Cat's Basic Needs?

Attention-seeking cats act that way for a reason. Oftentimes, a cat will meow non-stop or follow you everywhere you go in a bid to direct your attention towards a pressing need. Rather than brush the cat off and carry on with what you were doing, check to make sure that you have met your cat's basic needs.

Is the water or food bowl empty? Does the litter need to be scooped? Is another cat in the home in need of anything? Some cats act up as this is the only way they know of to grab your attention quickly and effectively.

Stop Coddling the Cat!

If you are in the habit of coddling Fluffy the cat, and treating her like a little baby, do not be surprised if she then develops a fixation with you and does not want to let you out of her sight, even when you are in the bathroom! Under such circumstances, it can be difficult to cope with an attention-seeking cat, but it can be done.

Gradually stop paying the cat the same level of attention. Do not let her sit on your lap each time she cries to jump up and shut the door whenever you would expect privacy from other family members. But do not completely ignore the cat either and leave her to her own devices. That can also prove detrimental to the cat's overall sense of well-being.

Is the Cat Sick?

Each time a cat whines at you for attention, the animal is trying to communicate with you the only way she knows how. Before you brush off the cat's attention-seeking antics, look a little deeper to see if you can find out what is wrong.

If you have met the cat's basic needs and you are no longer coddling Fluffy, there could be another reason why it is trying to get your attention: sickness. Have you noticed a change in the cat's appetite, appearance or other tell-tale signs that the cat could be sick? When in any doubt, take the cat to the vet for a medical examination.

An attention-seeking cat can be cute at first, but when your lap gets hijacked by Fluffy every time you sit down or she won't let you have a moment's peace, even when you are in the bathroom, now is the time to take action. Determine all possible causes for the cat's behaviour and then set to work to train your cat to be less needy and more self-sufficient. However, It is important to strike up a fair balance so that the cat is not neglected.

More from this contributor:

How Long Should Cats Stay in Timeout?

How to Prevent Your Cat From Turning Into a Bully.

Ways to Overcome Jealousy in a Multiple Cat Household.