I inherited a deaf female that is about two years old. She also is a head/neck injury…
What a sweet girl. I can only imagine how starved for attention she must have been, to be deemed “stupid” for the first two years of her life. Perhaps she’s trying to make up for lost time. Bless your heart for dealing with her challenges, despite your own allergies.I don’t know exactly what deficits she may have, and so my usual recommendations may not work the same as with other kitties. Usually “pestering” cats do best when they have a routine they can anticipate. In other words, figure out what times and places work well for you to offer her attention a couple of times a day, and make that “your time” together. Good times might be in the morning while you’re drinking coffee and reading the newspaper before work, and then again in the evening while watching shows on TV.
Once she gets used to the notion that she WILL receive attention, she may relax and not be as insistent or frantic at other times. It’s sort of like the starving cat that feels impelled to inhale any and all food immediately when the kitty can’t count on ever finding food again. But if the cat knows the bowl will always be filled at a certain time, he can relax.
Meanwhile, start practicing tough-kitty-love the times when you simply can’t be bothered. If you hold out for a loooooong time and then finally give in and pet her, she’s learned that the longer she pesters, the better chance you’ll give her attention. Pestering during these periods gets worse before it gets better, too.
Since you’re allergic, I’d also recommend that at least one of these periods of attention be a hands-off time. Use long distance toys like a fishing pole lure or have her chase the beam of a flashlight. If you can wear her out a bit, she’ll also be more likely to simply settle down and snooze rather than continually head-butt for pets.