Burrowing into the chair

[Siobhan]

Rocky likes to sit with me in the double recliner, and twice in two days he has stuffed his head into the corner between the back and arm and just sat there. After a while, he starts kind of scratching with his feet (like a chicken scratching the ground) and shoves his head into the corner like he's trying to tunnel into it. Any ideas? It's really difficult to get him to quit once he starts doing that.

 

[EAI]

Sounds like a mating/nesting behavior, but im not too sure. hopefully someone else can chime in!

 

[Scott]

Sounds like a mating/nesting behavior, but im not too sure. hopefully someone else can chime in!

I believe you are spot on!

 

[Siobhan]

Should I discourage this? I know when my Quaker gets romantic notions, he is impossible to be around. He's chompy and mean. As bad as that is with a Quaker, I don't even want to contemplate a 'too in that mood.

 

[Holly the U2]

My Female U2 does that also, I keep a foot toy in hand to get her attention on something else. That's what worked for me.

 

[Scott]

You might try a subtle distraction when he begins to burrow. Perhaps a noise, a few scratches on the head, possibly a treat, though you don't want to encourage any linkage to a reward that may get out of hand! Might be easier and safer to just pick him up and change the scenery.

 

[Siobhan]

This morning it was chilly outside so I was wearing a hoodie and he snuggled into that instead of the chair, and his feet were cold to the touch. Maybe he's just being affectionate when he buries his head in me like that. He certainly is a snuggler.