My cat needs ME to be in his sight!

by Amy
(Davisburg, MI)

Dino, my pretty kitty!

Dino, my pretty kitty!

My cat Dino came home after being gone for a month! He's an indoor/outdoor cat who loves to take small adventures, usually a few days to a week during the non-winter months.


We have over 60 acres of woods behind our house so it's a kitty playground! My son and I went hiking in the woods for hours at a time to no avail. Hung posters and asked neighbors if they had seen him, to no avail.

Early this morning, he's at the door yowling for his food and people! I was the happiest mommy!!

He has no visible sign of injuries or wounds, no tender spots, fur had no mats or burrs (he's a Maine Coon) and he looked healthy, normal actually. AS if he wasn't really gone for a month!

Now here's the strange behavior: He's always been a vocal cat but this time round, it's twice as much.

He's never been a lap cat, still isn't. He loves to be held/cradled but only while standing. This hasn't changed but he does want me to hold him a lot more.

He follows me wherever I go. If he's sleeping in one room and I go to another room, within 10-15 minutes he's meowing/yowling and trying to find me. He's always been a very loving and affectionate kitty and even more so now.

I'm not sure if this is considered strange or if it's really normal for a cat who has been gone for that length of time.

I'm not at all complaining about my cat's new behavior. I'm just so happy that he's safe, healthy (until I take him to the vet) and HOME! I just worry that his behavior could be a sign of something bad.

So, you tell me what you think!

Thanks,
Amy

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Dino luvs his Mommie
by: Jan

Hi Amy ! So glad your Dino found his way home safe and sound. I think his clingy behavior and increased vocalization is quite normal for having been away for a month. My kitties do similar when I'm gone for just a day or two. I'm not sure if cats can quite figure out if THEY left, or you left THEM. Perhaps a bit of an abandonment issue is the case. You may actually be reinforcing the vocalization by going to him to determine his needs. He'll learn tha "meows" get the desired reaction from you, therefore, he meows more. Once he gets all comfy and cozy with you and surroundings again, he'll most likely mellow out.

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Maybe he missed you
by: Kurt (Admin)

I'm not sure, Amy, but maybe he's just getting reacquainted with you. Assuming he's healthy, I think it may be a re-bonding period.

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