I’m having a dispute with another cat owner about a certain cat behavior. When a cat rubs their cheeks against you, either at leg level or on your nose, at 3:15 A.M., are they leaving a scent on you like when they are spraying?


Yes. More technically, cats produce a specialized chemical called a pheromone in their cheeks. This pheromone signals a variety of things to cats when they detect it on surfaces they’ve cheek-rubbed, or marked. It can mean the territory or object is ‘owned’ and familiar, and that the human or animal so marked should be considered ‘safe.’  

  
Unfortunately, chances are she will never allow this intimacy. If she came to you as a stray and was not properly socialized as a baby, she’s probably doing extremely well simply to be close by at all. Cats show affection in a variety of ways. We humans tend to be much more touchy-feely than cats, but you can show your intentions and that you’re trustworthy without forcing the touch/pick-up issue. She’ll also learn this simply by watching your interaction with the other cats.

You can try engaging her in a long-distance game with a fishing pole style toy or beam of a flashlight. Also try tossing her special treats. These actions help her understand that being near you has rewards and benefits for her. Some cats also feel spooked by people walking quickly toward them since we’re so much larger than felines. Sitting on the floor to engage this kitty may help put her at ease.

First of all, I’d call the veterinarian and find out specifically the illness that Yak suffered, especially if it might be contagious. It’s important to know so that precautions can be taken with Cherry. Second, cats that grieve often simply change their behavior, so I’d guess that Cherry grieved by hiding. Each animal takes his or her own time in recovering from the loss of a loved one. It would be a good idea to have Cherry examined by the veterinarian to be sure that her behavior change is a result of this emotional upset, and not a physical health issue.

Once Cherry has a clean bill of health, you can address the litter box issue. I’d urge you to temporarily move the litter box into the living room nearer to you and your cat. Cherry may simply be fearful of losing you and doesn’t want you out of her sight, even to use the facilities. Establish a place in the living room where she can easily access the box, and praise her when she does so.

After she’s been faithfully using the box in the location for a week, you can begin moving it about a foot at a time every day, in the direction you wish the final location to be. By gradually moving the box, she won’t feel quite so resistant to the location change. This can take a good bit of time, so be patient. Good luck!

 
They probably don’t need you to do this, but they enjoy the attention. Cats love routine, and once the routine has been established, it can be quite difficult to persuade them to do anything else. My cat Seren also enjoys being petted while she eats, and often comes to us with a meow to invite (demand!) our presence. For some cats, dining is a community event. 

 
For some reason my cat is attracted to certain parts of the walls in my apartment. There is one corner in my bedroom where she will stand on my bed and stretch all the way out and make cooing noises. There is a spot in my living room where she does the same thing. She also runs her claws down the wall over and over, never gouging into the paint. I had the complex owner check for rodents or pests that may be in the walls, but to no avail. There are no unusual or changing shadows that might catch her attention. The noise of her claws on the walls makes my hair stand on end and the noises she makes sound like she is very upset. Any idea what is going on?

If she’s pawing the walls, she may be leaving scent marks identifying the spot as her territory. Cats have the ability to see wavelengths of light that humans can’t detect, so there may be something that attracts her to these spots you simply can’t see. There might also have been other pets kept in this apartment by previous occupants, so the smells remain.