Cute 4 month old kitten -but HUGELY vocal & attention seeking & always needs to be at my throat. Suggestions?

Question

Bless. I know, there could be so many worse cat/kitten problems and he's a total sweetie. But I work from home a lot and need free hands to work on the computer so I really need him on my lap at the very least! Also, he is my shadow, which is so cute, but in the kitchen around food he is HUGELY vocal - begging for food and being a real nuisance. Right after he's been fed. It seems to make no difference. I'm currently trying to ignore him at the moment when he does this and reward him when quiet but, even if he's been quiet, as soon as he sees the reward coming he's hugely vocal again which kind of undermines my conduct. Am I doing anything wrong? Will he grow out of this? Can excessive vocalisation be reduced? Do cats eventually do their own thing for a bit of the time? I also have one room in the house (my bedroom) he doesn't get into and, after squirting, he doesn't try but waits for me outside the door which makes me feel terrible. First time cat owner. Help.

Answer 1

Most kittens are like this, and they do grow out of it.

It's just one of the perks of having a kitten.

Answer 2

Your kitty LOVES you and you're the centre of his world! The vocalisation may be hard to change as its likely to be its nature but when giving treats, stop when he starts meowing again. For me, I just say "NO!" and refuse the treat. He should get it after a while.

As for the bedroom thing, you need to harden your heart. There are boundaries that they must know they cannot pass. You musn't spoil your cat; discipline is necessary.

It might be a good idea to get another kitty to keep it company and to play with it. If she gets older, this might be harder as cats can get pretty territorial (which means YOU!).

It is also possible that it had been separated from its mother when its too young; cats like that tend to stay baby-ish for their whole lives. Something like a Freudian thing where they cannot get pass a certain stage in their lives. If it likes to knead you, it probably is. Your cat is likely to possess a highly sociable personality and so spending time with it is important. Do be patient ya? Good luck!

Answer 3

You have to remember he is still a baby, and eventually when he grows older he will become more independent. You're probably his only friend, his best friend, and he may want your attention cuz he has no one else to play with. During your free time give him love and attention, that's all he wants from you :).

Answer 4

I have the exact same 'problem'. My cat is very needy and loving and wats to be with me or my boyfriend all the time, we have lots of toys for him but he still wants to be with us.

We bought some little plastic balls that have bells in and these keep him entertained for hours, might be a good idea if you can put up with the rattling noises.

Also allowing him in the garden if you have one will keep him busy while you do your work. (that is unless you want him to be an indoor cat).

I am actually getting another kitten to keep him company for when we are at work all day, but obv this depends on whether you have time money etc for another x

Answer 5

Buy a small animal crate.  Put a soft blanket or pillow on the bottom of it.  When you need to have your hands free, put the kitten in the crate.  He'll probably yowl for a while, but as long as you know he's safe and fed, and has been to the litter box, ignore his complaining.  He'll get over it.  .