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Cat separation anxiety?

We have a girl tabby. Since she was a tiny kitten she would knead things with here paws and sort of become all drooly. We think she is going through the motions of nursing. She is going on 3 years old now and still does this.

It is a little bizarre though. She is not an affectionate cat, but highly social. She pets you, you don't pet her. Always wants to play. The only time she'll stand to be petted much is when she is kneading your armpit. She'll purr, but does not seem at ease. Sometimes with her ears back. When she is finished, she stops almost suddenly and jumps away. It's always the armpit too.

She is an indoor/outdoor cat. Recently she's taken to following us to the bus stop as far as she feels comfortable and yowls at us from far away.

She is really smart, we taught her to ring the jingle bells on the door handle for when she wants out. When she's bouncing off the walls wanting to play, she'll ring them and run away to get our attention.

Is the kneading an expression of some unhealthy anxiety?

internet_jen asked in Pets about 1 year ago | Report

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1 Answer

  • Carbonglacierveirs_small
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    Jingle Bell ringing-so cute! I'm not an animal psychologist, or anything but I think your cat is just a bit neurotic like most cats, and otherwise fine. Mine is a Tuxedo cat, she is 6 years old, and does the same with the nursing motions,although she seems to be affectionate while doing so. she likes to knead my feet which can be a little annoying, but its a routine now, at night, and I just bear with it to let her have her joy :P She has had 2 litters in the past(she's fixed now), and ever since the last litter, she loves for me to knead her tummy and she gets this look on her face of pure content, as if she's dreaming of her kittens. She has never enjoyed being held, and her new thing is coming and going out of the house multiple times a day, accompanied by desperate mowing, It seems a little senile..but its funny.

    bradkin answered in Pets about 1 year ago | Report
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