How to Cope with a "Velcro" Cat

Mew. Mew. Mew, mew. Translation: "I crave your attention. Play with me, cuddle me, and focus on me, me, me!" Mew.

If this scenario sounds familiar, congratulations! You are the proud owner of a "velcro" cat. The positive aspect of owning a cat who wants you to focus on her:

• You never feel neglected. Whether you're in the kitchen preparing dinner, in the bathroom getting ready for a shower, or rushing around the house getting ready for work, your cat is following faithfully. She sits on your foot or leans against you when you stand still, instantly jumps on your lap when you sit, and -- when it's time to play -- notifies you of that fact by mewing and attempting to climb up your pants legs (ouch).
  
• You're never bored. Feel like relaxing? Kitty purrs at the concept of lap time. Want some exercise? Kitty adores running after you as you pull a piece of yarn across the floor.
  

The challenge: those times in the day when you need to focus on a task or want (ahem) some privacy in the bathroom. Those heart-breaking, escalating "mmmmeeeeOOOOWWWWs" if you lock Kitty out of the room are enough to make the Grinch weep.

The solution: toys that can entertain Kitty on her own:

• Ping-pong balls: These inexpensive inspirations are perfect to keep kitty busy for hours. Toss one and watch her dash after them, then push them around on her own.
• Angry Birds: New from Hartz, the Hartz Angry Birds Birds Gone Crazy keep my cat captivated for blissfully long periods of time. Puppy-Kitty (named for her dog-like talents in playing fetch) rolls with them, punches them, and has one particular favorite that she carries around in her mouth, occasionally dropping it to roll around with it for a game of kick-the-bird.
  
• Petmate Crazy Circle Interactive Cat Toy: This ingeniously designed toy contains a ping-pong size ball inside a round circle. Kitty will push the Crazy Circle around and around, trying to figure out how to get it out of the circle.
• Kong cat treat dispensers: Combine a toy with a treat and you have a recipe for kitty-entertainment! The KONG Cat Wobbler Treat-Dispensing Toy, for example, is easily stuffed with kitty treats. Kitty must "work" to extract a treat, motivating her to stay focused on the toy.