Senior Siamese cat care after retirement

Congratulations on the retirement — though it sounds like your Siamese may have some opinions about the new arrangement. Cats age more gracefully than dogs in many ways, but Siamese in particular are intensely social and mentally active, and a sudden shift in routine — even a positive one like having you home — can actually cause low-level stress if they're not getting enough structured stimulation. At 10, your cat is also entering the age range where kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, dental disease, and arthritis start to show up, so it's worth keeping an eye on all of those. How old is she exactly, are there any health concerns you've noticed recently, and what's prompting you to look into this now?

That's a really common and underappreciated dynamic — Siamese are vocal and attached by nature, but when the rhythm of the house changes completely, they can become almost hyper-dependent. You being home constantly is lovely for her in one sense, but it removes the predictable quiet periods she's used to, and it means she's getting a lot of passive company rather than active, focused engagement. The result is often more meowing and shadowing, not less. Before I suggest anything, can you tell me: does she have any solo play happening at all — toys she bats around on her own — or is most of her interaction now centred entirely on you?

That tells me she's lost her independent activity entirely and has substituted you for all of it — which puts a lot of pressure on both of you. What she needs is something that gives her brain a job to do without requiring you to be the entertainment. At 10 she's still sharp enough to genuinely enjoy puzzle feeding, and it also slows down eating, which helps digestion as cats age. My recommendation is the Trixie 5-in-1 Activity Centre — it's a well-made puzzle feeder with five different challenge stations at varying difficulty levels, so she can work at her own pace. You fill it with a portion of her dry food or treats, set it down, and walk away. It builds independence quietly, redirects her focus onto a task, and gives her a genuine sense of accomplishment. Siamese especially respond well to it because they're problem-solvers. Used once or twice a day, it can meaningfully reduce the anxious vocalising within a couple of weeks.

She can absolutely do it on her own — that's the whole point. Start on the easiest settings the first few times so she gets a win quickly and doesn't give up, then gradually increase the difficulty as she gets the hang of it. The goal is for her to have a satisfying 10–15 minutes of focused solo activity that she associates with reward, not with needing you there. Over time that rebuilds her confidence in being independent, which is what will actually calm the clingy vocalising. You can be in the same room to begin with if that helps her settle, but try not to intervene — just let her work it out.

At 10, the main things to stay on top of are annual blood and urine panels — kidney disease and hyperthyroidism are both very treatable if caught early, and both are common in Siamese. Keep an eye on her water intake, her weight, and whether she's grooming herself normally, as those are often the first signs something's shifting. Dental health is worth asking your vet about too. But honestly, for right now, the puzzle feeder addresses the most immediate issue — the anxiety and overdependence — and gives her a healthier relationship with her own company. That's the right place to start.