Need to modify some behavior here...

[badgerpup]

Hi guys...me again.

Wimsey (who definitely has some meezer in his bloodline) has some rather undesirable ways of seeking attention.
One of them is constantly being underfoot, 'following from the front' to the point where he is in danger of being tripped over or having his paws or tail stepped on if I'm not extremely vigilant.
There have been incidents, of course...with the subsequent "DAMN IT, WIMSEY! STAY OUT FROM UNDER MY FEET, CAN'T YOU!"
Of course, less than a minute later I'll apologize to him for stepping on him. He will accept this apology as his due, no fear or cringing away from me when I pick him up...then he wants down. I set him back on the floor.

This is SOP with all my cats when there's an apology due on my part; the pick-up/cuddle and apology, and then set gently back down.

He also will bite to get my attention...my legs if he's on the floor, my arms if he's on my lap.
This isn't overstimulated biting; it never occurs when he's being petted. When he's done being petted, he just walks away and I respect that.

I've tried pre-emptive measures..."Hello, Wimsey...yes, I know you're there..", just talking to him, using his name so he knows that HE'S the focus of attention, even if I'm doing something. Sometimes this works, but I'm not sure if this is actually feeding into the behavior I don't want to encourage.

I did just read the article on the Cat Whisperer. I haven't found any cat treats that he likes, except for the water from canned tuna fish. THAT is da bomb as far as he's concerned...

I got him when he was about 8 months old...don't know much about his background except they didn't take very good care of him (he was skinny, HUNGRY, and had worms) and the family had kids who didn't understand that cats don't like being grabbed.

He's grown into a handsome boy, playful, affectionate on his own terms, and he gets along very well with the other two cats.
He's also too smart for my own good.

He is neutered...made that appointment with the vet right away when I realized I had a fourth cat.

Any ideas here?

Thanks...:pals:

[demnan]

1. If he had a little more SIamese

he would probably jump up on your shoulder constantly like my Pad Thai. The annoying thing is that Pad Thai not only does this when I hold my hands out (he jumps to my hands). Sometimes he goes behind me and leaps to my shoulder. I have to remember to keep his nails trimmed or I get scratched.

Another annoying thing he does is to try to knock over breakable things when he's mad because I'm either on the phone or petting another cat. This has resulted in losses, but I keep the really valuable teapots locked up since I got him.

Siamese cats aren't for everyone. Consider yourself in training. He will be loving and patient until you learn.

[badgerpup]

2. Wimsey is actually a 'Domestic Short Hair'.

:hi:
He's pure white except for a grey spot on his head, and has yellow-green eyes.
I'm guessing he has Siamese...or at least some Oriental ancestry from the shape of his head and from the sound of his voice, as well as some facets of his personality.
He chose me...or at least, was chosen for me by one of my other cats who now resides at the Bridge. Feegle brought him home and insisted we adopt him.

None of my cats have been purebreds...but I do look for evidence of some Siamese ancestry when choosing a new cat or kitten. I like the intelligence and sociability that one usually finds with this breed.

I only mentioned it because sometimes you get a kitty who is rather high-strung (my Misha was like that) as well as smart, chatty, and social.