Why does a cat meow in the womb? Why is the cat yelling?
Having a furry pet in the house is not only a positive thing that every owner expects. An affectionate pussy is a living creature with its own character, desires, and needs. Food, care, games, a cozy house, a clean litter box - not everything a person should think about. The question often comes up on the agenda: why does a cat constantly meow and yell? What to do, how to calm the animal, in what case should you visit a doctor?
Behavioral problems in cats and their causes
The talkativeness of feline representatives is due to their character. Among people, there are also talkative or silent individuals, and so are animals: some want to experience shocks alone, others actively complain if something does not suit them. There is no need to think that a cat is yelling simply out of spite - there are always reasons, and every loving owner should find them and help cope.
Pay attention! If you have not previously been involved in parenting and allowed the animal too much, there is nothing surprising in its whims and permissiveness.
Reasons why kittens may meow constantly
Everyone knows how babies cry - it’s quite difficult to calm them down. The situation is similar with children: kids manage to burst into tears even without cause, since they cannot cope with difficulties on their own. The same thing happens in kittens, and there are several reasons for meowing:
- Change of scenery. If you have just moved or bought a baby, then there is nothing surprising - it is difficult for him to adapt. Mom has disappeared somewhere, people are walking around strangers, familiar furniture has turned into new things, even the smells in the apartment are different. It’s good that a young body quickly gets used to changes, and if the new owner shows care and attention, the baby will calm down very soon.
- Kittens suffer from hunger all the time, because their bodies need a lot of building materials. The bowl should be in one place, and the amount of food should be sufficient for the furry baby to grow up healthy and happy. Don't forget about water - not milk, but plain clean water, which should be placed next to your food.
- Once trapped, the kitten will begin to scream and cry heart-rendingly - this will happen if it climbs into a duvet cover or a secluded corner from which it is difficult to get out, into a bag or other place. You need to immediately come to the rescue by freeing your friend.
- Often a baby needs affection and attention: just take him on your lap, stroke him, cuddle him in your hands, scratch his neck and behind the ears. Screams can occur at night - then do not indulge the whims, otherwise the animal will decide that it is allowed too much, and you will have to wake up too often. At night, it is enough to allow the kitten to sleep next to you if he is lonely, but it is not at all necessary to pet him.
Reasons why an adult pet yells
Don't know why a cat yells for no reason? In fact, she always has enough reasons to worry. You may think that the capricious creature is simply out of sorts, but most often the situation is due to the following factors:
- Estrus. It can occur not only in spring, but also at any other time of the year. The animal craves love, but without a partner nearby, it begins to behave inappropriately. Taking medication or visiting a veterinarian will help resolve the situation.
- Bad upbringing is rare, but the owners who indulge their whims are always to blame for this. There are some cats that flatly refuse to eat unusual food - they are ready to die of hunger, but not give up. There is only one way out here - to give in, because it is too late to show firmness of spirit: you yourself spoiled the cat, now reap the benefits.
- Not enough attention. When a kitten appears in the house, you play with it for hours, cuddle it, caress it, indulge all its whims. Over time, this becomes boring, the animal fades into the background, but still needs care. The cat screams at night, demanding to be played with, because its body is designed in such a way that it considers the dark time of the day the best period for communication.
Reasons why an old cat constantly meows
Like older people, aging animals experience behavioral changes. The owners don’t know what to do, the old cat is constantly yelling, and there is no more peace in the family. There may be several reasons:
- The beast is simply manipulating you. Over the years of his life, he has learned to understand your behavior, and he knows for sure that you will come running when you scream, which is why he gets so worked up.
- The feeling of loneliness is more pronounced at this age. The cat is sad, he feels unhappy, so he requires your attention. In this case, you will have to put up with even sleepless nights, or occupy the animal during the day.
- The pussy ceases to be independent, and wants you to make decisions for it - this applies to the daily routine, games, and rest. Thus, she asks permission, not knowing what to do. You just need to be patient and help with the choice.
One of the most common reasons for frequent meowing at any age is health problems.
Cats are just like people: some are silent, others are talkative, and some are like a 24-hour radio. It is difficult to understand why a cat yells. However, it can be assumed possible reasons endless meowing.
When your cat starts singing songs that last for an eternity, do not rush to scold her. There are problems that the mustachioed simply cannot cope with, which is why they appeal to those who tamed them.
It has long been known that cats acquired the sound “meow” during their domestication by humans. And this sound is addressed specifically to a person. Murkas communicate with each other using completely different “words.” Therefore, if you doubt who the cat is yelling at, rest assured - at you.
Possible reasons why a cat yells:
- The disease is the most common reason. The cat is in pain, so it seems to “turn” to the owner for help;
- Hormonal imbalances;
- Anxiety, stress or excitement;
- Feeling of hunger, thirst;
- Appeal to the owner, attracting him to action.
Hormones
The reason for the round-the-clock singing may well be hormones. And in particular, their imbalance or simple changes in the body.
As the kitten grows older, it begins to show a desire to continue the race. Such changes in the body are often accompanied by endless screams that do not stop day or night. In addition to exhausting its own body, the cat also exhausts the household, so the decision must be made quickly and firmly.
If the pet will participate in procreation in the future, then the first urge to find love will have to be endured. When the baby gets stronger for the “wedding”, he can find a couple.
If procreation is not your cat’s business, it is advisable to resort to castration. This radical method will help your pet avoid monthly songs, and will also prolong his life.
Diseases
It often happens that a cat, exhausted by unpleasant symptoms, begins to scream. It seems to the owner that for no reason, however, it is still necessary to pay attention to the screaming pet.
Absolutely any disease can cause pain. First of all, the owner is advised to carefully palpate the cat’s belly. If there is discomfort in this area, the animal will immediately react to such palpation.
The cause of pain can also be helminths living in the intestines. If the cat has not undergone anthelmintic treatment, then this option cannot be dismissed.
If your cat meows when trying to visit the litter box, she is most likely in pain. urolithiasis. Every cat after five years is at risk of developing a similar disease, so it is necessary to examine such a cat.
In any case, if you suspect that the cause of your cat’s cry is malaise, take the animal to the veterinarian.
It is important to understand that cats are independent by nature and will not meow for any reason. If a cat vocalizes because of pain, it means it hurts a lot. You can't hesitate.
Stress
Domestic cats are sensitive pets. Unlike their yard relatives, they do not contact the outside world. The whole world for them is concentrated within the walls of the apartment. Therefore, changes in this small universe can cause real stress for its furry inhabitant.
An uninvited guest is a cause of stress
The cause of a nervous disorder may be moving to a new place of residence, renovations, rearrangement of furniture, new inhabitants and other seemingly ordinary things.
In most cases, this problem can be eliminated by increasing the dose of attention to the agitated resident. Do not ignore your pet, talk to him and, if possible, allow him to contemplate what is happening within the walls of his world. A screaming cat that is locked in the bathroom will intensify its attempts to “meow” at you.
It often happens that a cat screams, and it is simply impossible to calm it down. If no amount of persuasion helps, veterinarians advise turning to sedatives.
Lack of attention
As already mentioned, domestic cats have limited social circles. Their whole life is focused on the inhabitants of the house. And since murkas prefer a nocturnal lifestyle, they are often dissatisfied with their owners’ desire to sleep at night.
Most often, young animals encourage owners to be active, being excessively active almost around the clock. In order to minimize your kitten's nightly demands, you need to make sure that there is always food in the bowl, water in the cup, and the tray is clean.
To ensure that the kitten's leisure time does not require the presence of a person, make sure that the furball has something to do at night. He should have plenty of toys, boxes and climbing frames to pass the night with.
Territory and its defense
Some cats try to make their presence known to surrounding animals by screaming. Most often this happens when you change your place of residence. A cat, finding itself in an unfamiliar place, begins to “take up space”, marking its territory and telling everyone around about its formidable character.
Over time, this behavior gives way to stable calm, however, the owners still need to endure the period of rapid personality development.
Why do kittens cry?
Having adopted a kitten, you need to be prepared for the fact that at first you will have to tinker with it. A baby requires attention just like a child.
It is especially difficult to move to new home given to domestic kittens. In the first days, they are desperately looking not only for their mother, but also for a familiar environment.
To minimize the stress of changing homes, try to give your kitten maximum attention. This applies not only to activity, games and fun, but also to rest time. Your baby may feel lonely and will look for a warm place to sleep. If you give your kitten attention in childhood, it will show you loyalty in the future.
Reasons why a kitten screams:
- Looking for mom;
- Hungry;
- Wants to go to the toilet;
- Bored.
All this can be eliminated by devoting a little of your time to the baby.
Elderly cats
Elderly animals often become victims of not only diseases, but also nervous disorders.
Some cats suffer from Alzheimer's disease in their later years. This condition forces the animal to constantly worry. It is necessary to contact a veterinarian who will prescribe sedatives.
How to solve the problem
If the reason that the cat yells at night is not a hormonal imbalance or disease, the problem must be eliminated using “improvised” methods:
- Try to provide the animal with quality leisure time. If the cat gets tired of running after new toy during the day, he is likely to sleep all night;
- After the cat has run after the “prey”, it is necessary to provide it with the most natural event possible: after a long hunt, you need to eat a hearty meal - this is how wildlife intended. It is advisable if lunch consists of meat. After a delicious meal, the following reflex should be triggered - the desire to sleep;
- In the evening, it is important to prevent your cat from falling asleep. It is best if the Murka actively plays until the owners go to bed. An exhausted cat will keep the sleeping household company company;
- From the very early age It is necessary to determine the place where the kitten will sleep. If the baby interferes with his games, you need to teach him to sleep in other rooms. This will make it easier to endure age-related songs when he grows up.
If your cat screams at night and you can’t calm it down, you can resort to more radical measures. You can lock the animal in a room far from the sleeping people, after providing it with food and water. It is also advisable to place a clean tray and several toys in the “chamber”.
This method will help the owners take a break from the “songs,” but it is not recommended to resort to it all the time. A cat from such isolation can become nervous and even more annoying with its screams at any time of the day. Then cohabitation with Murka will turn from peaceful coexistence into constant struggle.
In any case, the reason that the cat is yelling must be sought. Be responsible for your four-legged friends, even if they don't let you sleep.
If you have questions or advice regarding the topic, please contact us!
Video
Several thousand years have passed since man first brought a wild cat into his home. Most modern people no longer need a nimble assistant to protect the house from voracious rodents, and have pets more for the soul.
Man has already forgotten about the primitive way of life, but animals have a better memory. Therefore, even the most well-groomed pets sometimes behave like real savages. An ancient instinct pushes cats to complete madness: it makes them run around the house with their tail fluffed, chase the beam of a laser pointer, drop objects, climb on tables... Many owners are faced with an even more annoying problem when cats scream at night.
What to do if your beloved pet does not allow you to live in peace? How to deal with cat hooliganism? How to distinguish ordinary pampering from a signal of serious problems? It is unlikely that anyone will want to sacrifice good sleep for the sake of their furry pet, so finding an answer to the question about night meows is very important.
The owners' nightmare
Before you bring a furry ball into your home, you should think carefully. A cat is a living creature, not an interior decoration. He has character, habits, needs. The fact that cats are naturally nocturnal is widely known. Even the structure of the cat's eye is determined by the need to hunt at night. Yes, domestic cats do not need to sit in ambush, looking for game; a caring owner organizes the food himself. But after domestication, the physiology of the animal did not change that much. This is one of the reasons why the cat yells at night.
What to do with night concerts? To understand this, you need to find other reasons. The issue should be taken seriously, because the animal does not always make noise from banal harmfulness.
There is always a reason!
If you have adopted an old enough animal, in the first nights it may show anxiety in this way. It happens that after a certain time the singing will stop by itself. But if a cat who has been living in a family for quite a long time suddenly acquires a new habit, you should consider in detail what is happening, who is to blame and what to do.
Why a cat yells at night can be suggested by many indirect signs. Analysis of the animal's health and behavior in most cases will help to outline the vector of further actions of its owner.
It should be understood that blaming a cat for crying at night is not only pointless, but also cruel. If a cat meows loudly, it means that he himself has no peace. The animal is suffering. The method of punishment and threats is not appropriate here. The first thing you need to understand is why the cat yells at night, and only then try to correct his behavior.
Hunger
Perhaps we should start with the most obvious reason. The cat screams at night because he wants to eat. This is an echo of that very instinct that we have already mentioned. The domestic animal, like its wild ancestor, increases its appetite at night.
Therefore, the first step is to try to reduce the volume of daily portions, and before going to bed, thoroughly fill the feeder. Don't forget about water! A cat's thirst is invariably accompanied by heartbreaking moans.
Hormonal storms
Often a cat yells at night due to problems with hormones. Growing up, animals of both sexes begin to feel the so-called call of nature. During estrus, cats can make noise not only at night, but also all day long.
Experts recommend that all owners who are not involved in breeding sterilize their animals. This is also due to the huge number of stray animals, some of which ended up on the street from apartments. There are not enough good hands for everyone...
Sterilization is also important for the health of the pet itself. If he does not get what he wants, his body experiences extreme stress. Over time, the cat experiences pain caused by the same hormonal imbalance. According to experts, the lack of regular sexual contact can even lead to cancer problems in an unsterilized animal. Hormones affect animals even more than humans. How can one not cry out loud?
There are medications that can alleviate the condition of a cat during hormonal surges. But they are not a solution to the problem.
Health problems
The cat may make noise at night due to poor health. It is very difficult to diagnose a disease on your own, and the risk of making a mistake is high. But night screams are rarely the only symptoms of the disease. There are many cat diseases that are accompanied by night cries.
No matter how funny it may sound, such thoughts often visit furry people. Cats really need communication. The issue is especially acute for those animals that are the only ones in the family. Deprived of the opportunity to communicate with his brothers, abandoned by his working owner, the cat languishes from boredom all day. And at night he considers it quite logical to notify the whole house about his difficult fate.
It is not the animal's fault that he needs friends. Think in advance whether you can pay attention to your pet. Otherwise, don’t be surprised that a cat, exhausted from idleness and feeling lonely, screams at night.
What to do in such a situation is obvious without any hints. Try to spend at least some time with your four-legged friend before bed. The animal’s gratitude will be limitless: he will not only purr you all the songs he knows, but also, quite possibly, will fall asleep next to you all night.
Will sterilization always help?
Let's return to the question of how to help suffering cats and sleepless people. It happens that a sterilized cat makes characteristic calling sounds at night. This may indicate that the operation was unsuccessful. If the same maneuvers are observed in behavior that the cat did when demanding a cat, it is better not to postpone a visit to a specialist.
It happens that a neutered cat screams at night. What to do if the organs intended for love survived surgery, but the need to love has not disappeared? As with cats, this may indicate a careless operation. In this case, only a specialist can help.
If castration is successful, but the cat continues to make noise, the search for answers to the question about night concerts narrows. First of all, you should pay attention to the health of your pet. Perhaps, during a preventive examination, the doctor will find the reason.
Traditional methods
Of course, not every owner will rush with a cat in his arms to the veterinary clinic because of night chants. Yes, and this is not always necessary. We already know that cat diseases are accompanied by a number of symptoms.
But if the cat does not show anxiety, behaves normally, has enough food and food, and the songs under the moon continue, many owners try to deal with the problem on their own. But while the man is deciding what to do, the cat is screaming in the night...
Folk methods of calming screamers are quite common. Many owners, tired of their pets' creativity, use a well-known trick - they shoot the cat with a water pistol or wet it in the shower. A clean animal will give up all its important affairs and start getting its coat in order. And at this time the person will rest peacefully.
The method cannot be called effective. Wet wool doesn't solve any problems. However, this method can hardly be considered barbaric, because it does not harm the cat (of course, if the animal is healthy and there are no drafts in the apartment).
There is an opinion that you can calm a cat with the help of valerian. This option is much worse. Firstly, valerian does not have a calming, but stimulating effect on cats, and secondly, it is extremely harmful to their health.
Another folk method implies an emotional shock. Some people believe that a wild animal needs to be well frightened. Frankly speaking, this method has more disadvantages than advantages. It is unlikely that it will be possible to do this silently and without alarming the whole house. And the effect will not last long: the cat will recover from the shock and return to its old ways.
Getting a cat interested in toys is also difficult. Most likely, the game will be accompanied by rustling and rumbling.
Night displays of affection, which are preferred by many owners, can also be called folk remedy. Perhaps this is one of the most effective methods. Take the animal in your arms, stroke it, whisper in a soothing tone. Most likely, the cat will reciprocate and will soon calm down.
Pharmacy medicines
The cat yells at night, it’s unclear what to do about it, the sleep-deprived owner is angry and confused... Perhaps it’s worth trying to eliminate the problem with medication. Of course, when choosing a medicine, consultation with a veterinarian is also advisable, but it is not always possible to consult with a specialist. Fortunately, there are products that work for most animals.
As a universal drug, you can purchase “Cat Bayun” drops. They have a calming effect that will help cope with both sexual desire and anxiety caused by other reasons. The price of the medicine is relatively low, and its taste is chosen in such a way as to attract cats.
Chatterboxes by nature
Some cat breeds are especially social. Experts even identified the most talkative ones.
For example, a handsome Oriental, endowed with an amazing, almost alien appearance, is considered one of the most sociable. These cats are very smart, sociable, and friendly. They need communication more than many other animals. Increased talkativeness is even considered one of the characteristics of the breed. In addition to the desire to express an opinion on any matter, nature has endowed Orientals with a rather low, sonorous voice.
Representatives of other breeds also love to socialize. According to felinologists, the most chatty are Ocicats and Cornish Rex. Desperate talkers are also considered siamese cats. Opinions about ragdolls vary: on the one hand, the breed is considered one of the calmest, on the other, many note that periodically the cat gets inspired and begins to meow loudly.
Therefore, having chosen a pet from this list, you should not be surprised that your cat yells at night. Perhaps this is due solely to genetics.
Oddly enough, many are attracted to the listed breeds by this factor. Some people are not at all averse to having a heart-to-heart chat with the cat.
Silent cats
There is also the other side of the coin. Persian cats are rightfully considered one of the most silent. As a rule, they are leisurely, imposing, somewhat arrogant, and do not like fuss and chaos. Persians rarely disturb the peace of the night with piercing screams. Owners say they have a vague idea of what voices their Persian cats have.
This breed is quite old and established. The deep memory of wild times in Persian cats is greatly dulled. They have been living next to humans for centuries, so “savage” behavior is not typical for them.
Breeds such as the Sacred Burmese, American Shorthair, British Shorthair, and Celrick Rex are also considered silent.
Are you afraid of cat concerts? Be sure to consider getting a pet that belongs to one of these breeds.
Personality characteristics
Don’t think that the cat world can be divided into talkers, silent ones and neutrals. Much depends on the animal itself. Among outbred cats, there are many who like to exchange a word with their human.
It is impossible to determine in advance whether a cat is prone to talkativeness. But, according to doctors, cats growing up separately from their brothers are less likely to show a tendency to constantly meow.
What not to do
Let's say a cat starts yelling at night. "What to do?" - the owner thinks, trying to intuitively find leverage. Unfortunately, not all people behave rationally when they are asleep, which is understandable. It is necessary to strictly understand what to use physical punishment it is forbidden. Not only is this inhumane, but a good beating will not bring any benefit. Cats are by nature vindictive and touchy, and logical chains They build very differently from us. Most likely, the animal will not connect the received thrashing with its behavior at all and will perceive the person as an aggressor. In addition, a frightened cat can hide in a secluded corner and continue to loudly complain about its difficult fate from there.
How to help yourself and your pet?
An attentive owner will probably quickly learn how to calm down the night violator. If an animal appeared in the house as a result of a conscious choice, if it is loved, it is not so difficult to understand how to raise it and what to do with it. The cat yells at night for a reason, a caring person should understand this.
First of all, solve the issue of sterilization.
Try to establish a routine. Whenever possible, spend time with your pet. The cat will be simply happy if the owner plays tag with him, moves the beam of a laser flashlight around the room, or throws a ball. Having run enough and feeling tired, the animal will want to rest.
Do not encourage noise shortly before bedtime; turn off bright lights in advance. The cat sees perfectly well in the dark, but the dim lighting lets him know that playtime has come to an end.
Check the feeder and water bowl and replenish if necessary.
It is also worth taking care of organizing a place for the cat to sleep. Many cats become very attached to things related to sleep. It could be a soft woolen rag, a cozy basket, or even a completely uncomfortable-looking box. Make sure that the “nest” is always clean and that there are no foreign things in it. Try to make sure that your pet spends less time in it during the day, and he associates it only with rest.
Don't give up if your cat constantly yells at night. Our team will tell you what to do simple tips, intuition and love for a pet.
When getting a cat, most of us expect only positive moments from communicating with her. It’s so nice to pick up and stroke a warm plush lump and listen to its gentle purring. But we must not forget that a cat is not a piece of furniture that can be put away in the pantry if it gets boring or gets in the way. Purrs are living beings with all the ensuing consequences: with their own character, mood, likes and dislikes. And these qualities do not always manifest themselves in a pleasant way.
One of the ways of expressing desires and emotions, available to all mustaches, is meowing. Among cats, as among people, there are both silent introverts and overly emotional extroverts. If the first category silently experiences stress, grievances and health troubles, then the second will immediately and very loudly notify the whole house about its needs and problems, regardless of the time of day.
But do not think that some representatives of the cat tribe are so stupid that they scream heart-rendingly simply “for the love of art” or out of harm. Any cat “concert” certainly has a reason, you just don’t always understand it. Experienced cat owners will definitely distinguish the signals given by a hungry animal from the meowing of an angry pet.
There can be many reasons for long continuous meowing. Let's look at the main ones.
Reasons for concern in kittens
Almost all kids love to complain about life’s difficulties, since they are often not yet able to cope with them on their own. So why do kittens “cry” most often?
- The most common cause of constant meowing is stress from change of environment. Just recently, the baby snuggled up to his mother’s warm side and felt absolutely protected. Suddenly, completely unexpectedly, the mother cat disappears somewhere, and the kitten is surrounded only by unfamiliar people and unusual objects. All this is so scary that the baby panics. Fortunately, nervous system a healthy animal will quickly and easily cope with such stress if the new owners show patience, attention and friendliness, and the screaming will soon stop.
- Small cats and kittens must grow and gain weight quickly, so they are almost constantly hungry. If the kitten does not have enough food, then its hungry meow will accompany you continuously. Place the bowl in the same place and do not forget to put fresh food in it more often. There should always be a bowl of drink nearby so that the animal does not suffer from thirst.
- Often an inexperienced baby begins to “cry” and call you for help when finds himself in a difficult situation. For example, a kitten may climb into a place where it cannot get out on its own, or get tangled in yarn while playing with a ball. Hurry up to help your pet.
- If your pet is fed and not sick, but continues to meow pitifully, this means that he requires your attention. Pet your fluffy or play with him. Please note that this often happens at night, because cats are nocturnal animals. In this case, you should not indulge your whims. Immediately teach your baby that it is useless to demand attention at night, otherwise he will teach you to get up to him at the first whim. And who then raises whom?
Causes of continuous meowing in adult animals
Adult cats also often begin to behave unbearably, mewing heart-rendingly all day long. There are several reasons for this behavior.
- The most common reason for a continuous “concert” is onset of estrus at the cat. Cats who crave “love” behave in exactly the same way. The unsatisfied desire to continue their kind causes animals both psychological and physical discomfort. In addition, loud screams are necessary to notify the entire district of your desire and attract partners. If you are not ready to spay or neuter your pet, hormone therapy may provide relief. However, this method should be used only after consultation with a veterinarian.
- Some owners spoil their pets too much, indulging in all their whims. If you are the owner spoiled cat, then don’t be surprised that she can meow continuously for hours while sitting next to the bowl. In this way, your pet is trying to convey to you the idea that he categorically does not like the food offered. There are animals so stubborn that they would rather die of hunger than agree to eat another type of meat or fish. The decision in this case is up to you. You can show strength of character and insist on your own, but if you have always indulged the whims of the animal before, then you should not disappoint him. Whatever you choose, be consistent in your parenting methods.
- In the wild, all cats are most active at night, so it shouldn’t surprise you when desire to play or socialize will appear on your pet after sunset. After all, this is quite natural for him, but your behavior causes bewilderment and indignation of the animal. “How can you sleep when it’s the right time to communicate!” – the pet probably thinks and loudly expresses his indignation at your strange behavior. Be patient and do not react to his calling cries. Then, over time, the purr will understand everything and come to terms with such an incomprehensible, from his point of view, habit of sleeping at night.
- Always be attentive to your pet, because he cannot explain to you what health problems he is being tortured. If a cat meows for a long time and at the same time makes sounds atypical for itself, you should carefully examine the pet and make sure that touching different parts the torso does not cause him pain. If you notice any additional warning signs, take your pet to a veterinarian immediately.
Health reasons
There are both easily solvable problems that cause continuous meowing, and dangerous painful conditions.
- The animal may feel unwell due to intoxication of the body with worms. Typically, such problems arise in kittens and, in addition to plaintive screams, are sometimes supplemented by trembling or bowel irregularities.
- If your pet meows continuously before, during, or after a bowel movement, or bladder, this behavior indicates diseases of the digestive or urinary systems.
- Constant screaming accompanied by slight trembling may indicate spinal injury.
- When an animal rushes around the apartment, shakes its head, scratches its ear or muzzle, and at the same time its “meow!” is constantly heard, most likely it’s a cat worried about ear mites or an allergic reaction.
- Life-threatening situations often accompanied by continuous meowing and a complete lack of appetite.
- Constant hoarse meowing may be a sign viral diseases.
In all of the above cases, do not try to diagnose, much less treat, your pet yourself. Be sure to show your cat to a veterinarian, who will conduct a professional examination, identify the causes of unusual behavior and, if necessary, prescribe an effective course of treatment.
Older cats meowing
A separate topic is the persistent meowing of older animals. With age, changes occur in the character of cats, which are often characterized by the appearance of new, not always pleasant habits. They have understandable and, unfortunately, inevitable health problems, but old animals can scream heart-rendingly for other reasons.
- As the cat ages, it becomes more and more dependent on its owner. Sometimes she it's hard to make decisions on your own, and she is waiting for a hint from you: should she go eat now or take a walk first? And the purr can only ask its question with the eternal “meow.” Be patient and help your pet make the right choice.
- Older pets experience increased need for affection. When your mustache is lonely or sad, it begins to attract attention by meowing, demanding to be petted. This condition occurs especially often in older cats when the family goes to bed, to the general displeasure of the household. If you truly love your pet, you will have to put up with sleepless nights or try to devote more time to your cat during the day.
- The older the animal, the more virtuoso it is knows how to manipulate the owner. After all, over the years, not only do we begin to understand the cat better, but she also understands us. Cunning purrs turn their knowledge to their own advantage, knowing exactly when and how they can force the owner to fulfill their desires. And they never make mistakes! As soon as the first loud and demanding cries are heard, you rush to the rescue to feed, warm and caress your pet.
Be attentive to your pet, because almost always the reason for prolonged and annoying meowing lies not in the harmful nature of the animal, but in the amazing stupidity of its owner.
No animal will scream day and night for no apparent reason. If a cat yells, as it seems to you, for no reason, then you, the owner, do not know your animal well.
In nature, stray cats do not use meowing to communicate with each other. Meowing is a cat's way of communicating with its owner. Cats of some breeds, for example, Siamese-Oriental Croup, Cornish Rex, Turkish Angora, have a habit of talking with their owners: when asked “How are you?” may respond with a loud “Meow.”
But these sounds cannot be compared with the loud screams that cats of these breeds, as well as those of the eastern group (Burmese, Bombay, Bengal, Ocicat, Egyptian Mau) emit during sexual heat. But this is only one, although the most common cause of screaming, and there are many of them, many of which are age-related.
Why does a cat constantly meow?
Let's figure out why cats meow, keeping us awake.
A small kitten aged from birth to 3 weeks cries if:
- He's cold.
- He's hungry.
What to do?
In order for the baby to calm down, it is necessary to warm him up to normal temperature 38°C either by calling a mother cat who has abandoned her child for a long time, or by placing a bottle of warm water as a heating pad. After he warms up, you can feed him.
Older kittens scream for their mother in case of danger, any problem (got lost in a large apartment, felt lonely) or in pain due to accidental injuries.
In a new home, the kitten also calls the cat with a loud cry, in this case the only thing that can be done is to caress, warm, play - to let the cat child understand that he is not alone, he is loved and cared for.
If you do not plan for the kitten to have access to your bed, you need to teach him to spend the night alone from the first day, and therefore, in the first days, when the kitten is not yet accustomed to the new routine, you may have to endure some sleepless nights.
Screams of young cats and cats
Young, sexually mature, uncastrated cats begin their calls closer to spring - in February or March, calling for a partner. If you do not plan to get offspring from your animal, the easiest way to stop nocturnal yelling is to castrate your pet.
By doing this, you will only improve the quality of his life, eliminating possible negative consequences (pyometra in cats, territorial markings of cats), and lengthen his life.
Other causes of loud screaming may include:
- Desire to attract attention- so cats can beg for a treat, demand to open a closed door, demand to play.
- Anxious state– cats can sense the approach of a natural disaster or weather change within a few days, and can scream to wake up their owners in the event of a fire in the house or neighbors’ house.
- The struggle for supremacy in the pride– if there are several cats in the house and more than one stud cat, a young cat can find out with the older one “who is boss” even without a fight, just loud screams.
- Reaction to the behavior of the owners– unfortunately, not all owners treat their pets adequately. If a cat is beaten or shouted at, then in response the cat may begin to show aggression towards the owner (pressed ears, raised fur on the ridge, a heart-rending scream coupled with jumping sideways - indicate that the cat perceives the owner as an enemy, which must be driven away).
What to do?
A distraction strategy can stop the night cries of a young animal, which are not associated with a spring hormonal surge: do not let the cat sleep in the evening, amusing him and yourself with active play with running around and simulating hunting; before going to bed, feed him generously, preferably meat (it takes longer to digest).
If this does not help, you can use plant-based drops (Cat Bayun), the Feliway system, or other sedatives.
When getting a pet, you need to remember that it is easier to teach than to retrain. If you don’t want problems with a cat crying at night, teach your baby order from the first day in the house.
The meowing of aging pets
Aging animals often behave like older people: they require increased attention, throw tantrums for any reason or without it.
The constant cry of an old cat may indicate:
- The desire to insist on one's own in case of refusal.
- Feeling lonely - the cat calls the owner and demands attention.
- Painful syndrome – aging cats often develop arthritis, causing joint pain during sudden movements and jumping, and other health problems.
Apart from medical problems, only increased attention and caress.
Night screams
To avoid discomfort at night, get your pet accustomed to your daily routine.
Washing your cat in the evening during heat gives a good result: by wetting her fur before putting her to bed, you are guaranteed to sleep all night, since she will be busy putting herself in order and will have no time to scream.
However, this method is safe if the house is warm and there is no chance for the cat to catch a cold on the cold floor.
In any case, castration of the animal will get rid of night meowing.
How can you not behave?
Cats are social animals with a highly nervous organization. The only thing you shouldn't do when raising a cat is yell at it and hurt it. A slaughtered cat afraid of its owner is a terrible sight.
You can train a purr only by persistent repetition of the lesson: they understand everything perfectly, and, having accepted the primacy of the owner, the cat will calmly follow the established rules.
When to contact a veterinarian?
If a cat screams without apparent reason being in one position means she has health problems that require consultation with a veterinarian.
If the cry is associated:
- with lameness;
- abdominal pain;
- bowel dysfunction;
- loss of appetite;
- vomiting;
- slight trembling;
- urination;
- If you have itchy ears, a trip to the vet may save your cat's life.