Cats occupy, in the collective imagination, the role of independent and solitary animals. But the truth is that kittens can also be very affectionate, affable and faithful companions, inseparable from their reference humans. The development of his character is influenced by his breed, his experiences and the care and education he receives from the puppy stage.
Now, there is a difference between a kitten that is attached to its owners and one that is dependent on them. While the former is considered healthy, the latter can cause you emotional distress and can be accompanied by behavior problems and misbehavior. Let's look at some signs that show that your cat is too dependent on you.
To redirect your cat's dependency towards a secure attachment you will need patience, but it is possible to achieve it. For starters, you'll need to stop being overprotective of him. This does not mean that you stop ensuring his safety or giving him affection, but you also have to promote that he is independent and encouraged to explore the world around him.
Avoid punishing or scolding him harshly, as this will increase his insecurity. Instead, reward their good behaviors with positive reinforcement. On the other hand, it is important that you encourage their environmental enrichment, with interactive toys, scratching posts, climbing structures and other entertainment that attract their attention so that they are encouraged to play alone instead of being constantly attached to you.
If the problem persists, go to the vet to check that your kitten does not have any health problem that is causing this constant need for attention. Likewise, he values the convenience of asking for help from an educator or ethologist specialized in the behavior and well-being of cats.
