Mostly just here to rant but if you have any advice I’m all ears! I’m a bit scared to post because I’m afraid people will tell me I’m a terrible cat owner and I should’ve never gotten cats if this stuff annoys me, but I need to know that I’m not alone…

I have two female (neutered) cats, one is 2 and the other is 3. They don’t really get along with each other - the 2yo is highly territorial and they go through phases where the fighting waxes and wanes, typically brought on by a redirected aggression event when the 2yo sees a cat outside.

I live alone in a one bedroom apartment. One window in my bedroom, one in my living room (plus a big glass sliding door to my balcony), cat trees by each so they can sit and look out the windows. I leave the windows open if weather permits.

The issue is that THEY NEVER F*CKING CHILL OUT. I’ve had cats my entire life (I’m almost 30) and I’ve never experienced this level of dependency.

We play all day long. They won’t play together or at the same time, so take the time spent playing with one cat and double it. I spend 1 - 2hr a day playing PER cat, probably averaging out to 1.5h each. We space it out over the day (a bit before work, right before dinner, in the evening, etc). They have a zillion toys but refuse to self-play.

They’re fed twice a day at regular times, two litter boxes, get lots of love, plenty of comfy sleeping spots, etc. litter boxes scooped daily.

BUT they f*cking SCREAM all day long. If I’m home, they are demanding my attention. I can’t handle it anymore, sometimes I lock myself in the bathroom and cry in the bathtub because I’m so overstimulated. I need time to chill too!!! I have an hour between when I wake up and when I go to work, get home around 5-6, I need to cook and eat dinner (most days I’ll play with them while I’m eating dinner even), I have chores and cleaning to do, and I need some god damn time to rot.

I hate myself for viewing playing with them and giving them attention as a chore instead of time for me too. I understand they’re animals who are confined to my apartment all day, and that I’m the major source of stimulation for them. I’m cool with that.

I jusr wish they would STFU sometimes and not need to play as much :/ I know when they are older I’ll miss this spirit…I feel so ungrateful for not wanting to shower them in love all the time, or for pushing them away from me if they’re biting my feet for attention etc. I just feel like I’m drowning sometimes…