Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Kitten won't sleep by herself

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 7/24/2008


Question
We have only had her for three days, someone had abandoned her on the rail road tracks near my house and we decided to take her in. At a guess I would say she is 4-6 weeks old, so she is still pretty little. She's a perfect little kitten during the day time, but when night comes she doesn't want to leave me. I will go to lay down and she will follow me, jump up on top of me and lay as close as she possibly can to my face. This seemed odd to me because all my cats I've had before were pretty independent and would usually sleep outside or at my feet. I was also wondering why she would be so attached to me after only 3 days, while she doesn't care to much for anyone else. Another thing is she likes to lick me all the time, so I pick her up and set her down somewhere else, but she just jumps back up and goes right back up to my face again. Please tell me what I should do and why this is happening. Thanks.

Answer
Ryan,

Your kitty thinks you are her mother now. At her age everything is scarry and she is frightened of being alone. She needs the comfort you can give her. She probably misses her mom and siblings and being able to cuddle up to them. Her licking is showing you that she loves you and is probably thanking you for saving her. A cat can't pet you so licking is the next best thing.

It would be best to find another kitten her age for her. A cat needs a friend to play with, to be company, to snuggle with, and to be comfort to them when they are alone. 2 kittens are easier to take care of because they have each other for company and don't demand so much of your time to keep them amused.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

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Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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