TL;DR - Cat always begging and bothering my partner and I (but more her) for attention, food and to go outside but we live on the 3rd floor of a block of apartments. It's putting a strain on our relationship and she's telling me to find her a new home but I can't bear to see her go.
I've had a cat for the last 2 years. When I was living in my old home, I didn't let Cookie outside much as she never came home, I always had to go looking for her. One time she disappeared for nearly a week and I only found her as I was driving down the street leaving for work one day. I didn't allow her to go outside after that and I thought it was best she was kept inside as an indoor cat. She was generally ok with it and life went on as normal.
Back in September last year, I had to move house and I had no choice but to take what was available at the time, so I started renting an apartment on the 3rd floor of a block and a couple of months later, my girlfriend moved in with me. Cookie struggled with the move at first. She wasn't eating much, she didn't seem her usual playful self, she was always meowing, she threw up a lot (she still does but not as much) and wasn't that happy. I took her to the vet to get her vaccinated and I got him to do a full check up on her and she was in a full bill of health but he said she might be anxious. She did eventually get used to the new place and all has been well since except she wouldn't leave my partner alone. She would wake her up at random times in the night for no reason, she would constantly beg for attention from her (even though we both give her lots of love all the time), she always begs for food (she has set food times and always has and we've never broke it) and it was starting to take a toll on my partner and she couldn't deal with it anymore. She started to leave her in the living room at night while we slept so she didn't come in and wake her up.
Just a few months ago, she started really scratching at the windows to be let outside. Obviously we couldn't just open the Window for her to get some fresh air because we fear that she might jump or fall out and with it being so high up, she would hurt herself. I tried to ignore it as best as I could but my girlfriend couldn't take it anymore. We decided to buy her a little harness and lead last week so we could take her outside on the grass communal area around the back of the block but keep her close by. My girlfriend and I have been taking her out every day for 20-30 minutes so she can chill out outside for a little bit but every time we bring her back in, she yowls at the door to go back out. It's extremely loud and very irritating. I have ignored it as best as I can but my girlfriend is at breaking point. She keeps telling me that Cookie can't live like this anymore, all she wants to do is go outside and be a normal cat, I'm not allowing it, I'm selfish for it and I shouldn't keep her locked away in a flat for 23 hours a day and that I should find another home for her.
I feel like it's putting a strain on the relationship and I'm not sure what is the right thing to do but I know that I can't bear to see Cookie go. I need some advice on what I should do or stop her begging for attention, food and to be let outside all the time. Should I find her a new home? Should I try even more toys? Should I take her out more or for longer? Am I being selfish? I'm not sure. Please help. TIA
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from Pets https://www.reddit.com/r/Pets/comments/nv8t9x/my_cat_is_putting_a_strain_on_my_relationship_and/
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