Can having a Lapcat become a problem? Leading behaviorist Vicky Halls looks at the issue of too much loving.

There is nothing more delightful than the sight of adoring feline eyes gazing into yours with a look or complete devotion. A cat that sticks to you like glue and enjoys being carried round like a baby is heaven for many cat owners.
However, like any intense relationship, there are pitfalls. What if you want to go away on holiday, have a baby or move in your new partner? Would your cat really be prepared or able to live without your undivided attention?

The Needy Cat.
Not all cars are created the same. There are two fundamental personality types that are predisposed, under the right circumstances, to become possessive. The first type is the timid individual that has been poorly socialized or has bonded with a single person during the early period of its emotional development.

This cat if combined with a caring and rather cautious owner will be cosseted and protected from all life's little mishaps and potential hazards. In the spirit of a protective nurturing mother the new owner will see danger at every turn and the cat will eventually rely totally on its human 'minder' and become emotionally helpless and completely devoid of any personal coping strategies.

The Manipulative Cat.
The second type is the more confident but highly-sensitive and reactive individual (many pedigrees would gall into this category). If this character is combined with a loving and compliant owner then the outcome can also be undesirable.

Using trial and error the cat soon learns that the owner will virtually jump through hoops to provide entertainment security, sustenance and stimulation at the drop of a hat, 24 hours a day.
This is definitely something that many women succumb to, but the danger occurs if they shift their attention temporarily to another task. It is only a matter of time before the indignant and frustrated cat performs bizarre or unsavory attention-seeking behavior to restore the focus back to its rightful place. These cats are also capable of aggression is they feel others are intruding on their precious relationship.

Some cats may be predisposed to becoming over-attached or possessive but it isn't cast in stone. The owner/pet relationship has go be the right kind to allow this part of the cat's personality to appear If the possessive quality is already evident there are ways or encouraging self-reliance by developing a life for your cat outside the relationship.


How To Tackle Attention-Seeking Behavior.

Ignore it! This should be a strong signal to your cat so that the message is quite clear, no eye, verbal or physical contact whatsoever.

Perseverance is the key since ignoring the behavior will cause your cat to become frustrated initially and try even harder to get your attention.

It may be difficult to ignore your cat as he sprays urine on you, for example, but try hard because his behavior will only pay off if you respond.

If your cat is gearing you to jump to attention by knocking fragile ornaments off the mantelpiece it is best to remove them to the safety or a glass cabinet!

Scratching furniture can often be used to get your attention so placing double-sided (low tack) adhesive tape over the chosen areas will stop this behavior without the need for your intervention.