Feline Behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett is the author of a number of award-winning and critically acclaimed books, including Think Like a Cat and Psycho Kitty. The innovative methods described in all her books are based on Pam's unique way of training by actually understanding the way a cat thinks. She makes numerous television appearances including CNN, Fox News Channel, and National Geographic specials, as well as being a popular guest on many nationally syndicated radio programs. She is now considered to be one of the leading experts on feline behavior.

Q: My cat is a calico, one year old, who came to me as a stray kitten. I leave dry food out for her all the time. She wants me to stand by her while she eats. If I don't, then she will get between my feet and walk ahead of me, looking back to see if I am following her. It's like she's part sheep dog. She is very skillful, too. If I do not follow her to her dish, then she will come bite my foot. I have done some strange things to try and resolve this. I put stuffed animals around her dish and even a picture of myself. My biggest fear is that she is going to trip us or, since, we have stepped on her accidentally, that we might break her leg. Her eating area has become her territory (my guess), but why does she need someone with her? My vet said he thought I was her littermate, but she's that way with anyone who's up and walking. I have found no explanation for my cat's eating behavior. Please help.

A: Wow! That was very creative of you to leave a picture of yourself.

Some cats are social eaters and it gives them comfort to have a family member or littermate nearby for security. You can address this by setting up more than one feeding station, so she has options of where she prefers to eat. Since you're leaving dry food out for her to eat free-choice, it will be easy to leave a little bowl of food in the family room or wherever you spend most of your time. This will help increase her security and eventually, she probably won't need you to be so close in order for her to eat.