Extra clingy cat?

The last couple weeks have been really nice outside and honestly, normally this kind of weather means that my cat would be demanding to stay outside all the time. I didn't really intend for her to be an outside cat at all but she kind of decided for herself and there's not a lot to be done about it. Oddly though, although she's been spending a good amount of time outside, the rest of her time she's been spending in my room, mostly on my bed. This isn't really normal; she spends some time with me/in my room but not usually most of it and mostly only during cold weather. Typically, she can be affectionate and nice when she wants to be but spends quite a bit of time aloof. Lately she's been super clingy to me and to my room, even when I'm not in it. I'm worried this means that she's sick or otherwise something's wrong. She's about 13 and spayed, I've had her for about 4 1/2 years and don't know any of her history before I adopted her and have never had a cat before. I don't see any signs that she's in pain. Any one have any ideas?

My dog's been the same way for a few months now. He's always the "I want to be with you always" type, but now he gets up and follows you across the room, which he never used to do. We moved, but only 2 weeks ago, so I don't think it's related to that. He's just going through a weird phase, I think.

No advice for your kitty, but I would think that if she's still going outside and seems healthy/active, she's probably OK. You could always take her in to the vet to see, but that might involve a lot of investigation to find nothing.

I am by no means an expert on cat behavior, but I have owned and lived with a few over the years.  I think as long as she's still eating and playing outside at least sometimes you don't have to worry.  I'd say 'still eating' is the most important one.

Also, she's a good age for a cat and they do tend to slow down as they get older so more snooze time isn't necessarily an unusual thing.

If she's eating/drinking normally and isn't in any pain, I wouldn't take her to the vet tbh. There might be something wrong with her, but most likely not. Keep an eye on her, though!

My cat (he's also 13) goes through phases of being clingy. I have no idea what causes it - maybe it's just a cat "mood"?

x-posted with Andee

I have no advice; our cat swings between clingy and aloof on a schedule that only he knows.

I just wanted to point out that if this was a movie, more and more reports of strange animal behavior would foreshadow some sort of catastrophe - a giant earthquake, asteroid, or alien invasion, perhaps.

Don't say you weren't warned.  

I just wanted to point out that if this was a movie, more and more reports of strange animal behavior would foreshadow some sort of catastrophe - a giant earthquake, asteroid, or alien invasion, perhaps.

Don't say you weren't warned.   

BF and I joke about this, as both the dog and cat have been extra-weird the past few months. Apocalypse, here we come!

My kitty would do this every once in awhile. She's young. Most of the time she was very aloof and independent and wanted nothing more than to be outside. Occasionally though, she would be my shadow and all over me. I never could figure her out...but then again, cats are strange creatures and I don't think anyone could figure them out. I would say as long as she is eating, drinking, using the litter box regularly and doesn't seem to be hurting I would just keep an eye on her to make sure nothing changes. It would be so much easier if they could talk to us!

I've always found when my cats are ill that they want LESS to do with me. I tend to get more concerned when they're not up and about meowing at me or following me around. It could just be that as she's getting older she's had a bit of an attitude change. My cat has definitely become more clingy to me as she's gotten older.

Thanks for the reassurance, everyone! Cats are strange people, it's true and bossy people at that!

BF and I joke about this, as both the dog and cat have been extra-weird the past few months. Apocalypse, here we come!

She's also been more vocal lately, using the sounds she makes when she's out of food or wants to go out even when she has food and doesn't go out when the door is opened. It's like she's trying to tell us something or warn us of something. Maybe those Mayans were onto something about 2012 and our animals are trying to tell us!

Thanks for the reassurance, everyone! Cats are strange people, it's true and bossy people at that!

She's also been more vocal lately, using the sounds she makes when she's out of food or wants to go out even when she has food and doesn't go out when the door is opened. It's like she's trying to tell us something or warn us of something. Maybe those Mayans were onto something about 2012 and our animals are trying to tell us!

I'm going to be the lone voice of dissent here and say that if something feels "off" about your kitty, and she hasn't had a recent vet check-up (like, last few months) I would take her in for a visit. Only because you have mentioned that she is 13 years old - and while as kitties get older the most common problems to turn up usually involve fairly significant clinical signs, a common byproduct of the main problems (hyperthyroidism, chronic renal disease and even diabetes) is systemic hypertension which can cause strange vocalizations (and damage internal organs!).

So even if your vet just gives her a check-over, weighs her to make sure that she hasn't been gradually losing weight (one of the first signs of systemic disease in cats) and has a look in the back of her eyes (to check for retinal hemorrhages that come up as a result of high blood pressure) as a part of her general check up and everything turns up perfectly normal - you can rest easy that you aren't missing something.

It is entirely up to you of course, although I *am* a vet I am not YOUR vet and I have not seen your kitty so obviously take everything with a grain of salt.

I also tend to err on the side of caution, but that is probably because I see many, many older kitties that people have not brought to me because they thought "oh she's just getting older that's what kitties do" and it turns out they have chronic disease processes that haven't been addressed or diagnosed, and sometimes this has serious consequences.

If anything, keep a close eye on any changes to her drinking, urination etc. normal daily 'functions' including vomiting/diarrhea.

Anyway that's me off my soapbox!

I just wanted to point out that if this was a movie, more and more reports of strange animal behavior would foreshadow some sort of catastrophe - a giant earthquake, asteroid, or alien invasion, perhaps.

Don't say you weren't warned.  

We spent the other afternoon watching "My cat from hell" on TV. There's an awful lot of cats freaking out 

I'm going to be the lone voice of dissent here and say that if something feels "off" about your kitty, and she hasn't had a recent vet check-up (like, last few months) I would take her in for a visit. Only because you have mentioned that she is 13 years old - and while as kitties get older the most common problems to turn up usually involve fairly significant clinical signs, a common byproduct of the main problems (hyperthyroidism, chronic renal disease and even diabetes) is systemic hypertension which can cause strange vocalizations (and damage internal organs!).

So even if your vet just gives her a check-over, weighs her to make sure that she hasn't been gradually losing weight (one of the first signs of systemic disease in cats) and has a look in the back of her eyes (to check for retinal hemorrhages that come up as a result of high blood pressure) as a part of her general check up and everything turns up perfectly normal - you can rest easy that you aren't missing something.

It is entirely up to you of course, although I *am* a vet I am not YOUR vet and I have not seen your kitty so obviously take everything with a grain of salt.

I also tend to err on the side of caution, but that is probably because I see many, many older kitties that people have not brought to me because they thought "oh she's just getting older that's what kitties do" and it turns out they have chronic disease processes that haven't been addressed or diagnosed, and sometimes this has serious consequences.

If anything, keep a close eye on any changes to her drinking, urination etc. normal daily 'functions' including vomiting/diarrhea.

Anyway that's me off my soapbox!

You are a vet, and it certainly can't hurt to get the kitty checked out--based on that, I would bring my cat in if I felt something was off.