Issue with Nutmeg and howling

[Nomilynn]

Hi All,

Lately Nutmeg has been howling non stop. Nothing seems to help.. I give her lots of attention. Usually when I tell her to stop, she will for a few minutes and then start up again. She also does this through the night and because my building is not at all sound proof I'm afraid she's also keeping other tenants up. When I get home from work I do my best to keep her awake, and then I feed them right before I go to bed so she's extra tired and also following the natural routine for cats, which is rest after catching "prey" so I try to give her stimulation before food and then lights out.

Does anyone have any advice? I'm actually beginning to think I should have another reading done on her.. I don't know what else to do..

Thanks!

[Karen]

Has she been to the vet lately? She may be having some discomfort that makes her extra howly right now, nest to be sure! I know I am cranky when I am in pain.

[Nomilynn]

Yup, and she's healthy as can be. It's just a behavioural issue, I'm sure. She's a very demanding cat, which I can only take the blame for because she's spoiled rotten. I just wish I knew what it was she wanted so that I could give it to her so she would shut up! :P

She tends to go where she can hear her own echo as well, like into a corner. I'm wondering if she just likes the sound of her own voice???

[cassiesmom]

I was just thinking about when Medusa's Coco Puff had problems with his hearing, he became more vocal. I wonder if Nutmeg's hearing has changed in some way? Medusa, thoughts?

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm sorry to hear this but I can relate a little. My Pearl will also sometimes howl at night or the early morning hours and she loves to go into my bathroom where it also echoes. She's a siamese mix so I know that they talk a lot any way but I think she's just doing it to get attention because she loves being the center of attention. Hopefully it's only behavioral and nothing more. The only thing that might help would be to give her some kind of a calming pill or maybe even try some feliway spray or plugin. My RB Sunny used to also do this but he just wanted the others to wake up and play with him. I'd find several mice lined up by my door or in the hallway. I hope you'll be able to resolve this problem. Good luck.

[Nomilynn]

Thanks everyone. I don't think her hearing has changed - she's pretty alert and her ears flick back and forth all the time at the slightest sound. Right now she's all curled up and not causing any problems at all.. and I'd bet my next pay that as soon as I'm in bed she'll start in! She's SO BAD!

I will look into the feliway stuff too, thanks for the suggestion!

[Medusa]

I was just thinking about when Medusa's Coco Puff had problems with his hearing, he became more vocal. I wonder if Nutmeg's hearing has changed in some way? Medusa, thoughts?

Yes, I'd check his hearing. Coco Puff's hearing goes in and out; I can always tell when he's having problems hearing b/c he's extraordinarily loud. It all stems from his sinuses.

How old is Nutmeg? My RB Puddy howled, especially at night, and it was b/c she became senile. I certainly don't want to instill fear but if Nutmeg is a senior, it's something to look into as well.

One last thing: Puddy howled like crazy one night and she howled continuously until morning and it continued all the way on the drive to my vet's office. She had an infected colon and she had NO signs of illness beforehand. She had emergency surgery and had peritonitis. It's a wonder that she lived through it.

I know that you feel Nutmeg's howling is behavioral BUT there's always a reason for their behavior. I'm sorry that you both are going through this and I hope I didn't scare the wits out of you. I just know that for every behavior there's a reason behind it. Good luck and please let us know how things develop.

[Abby&Buddy'sMom]

is she spayed? if not , maybe she is in heat ?

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

How old is Nutmeg??

[catmandu]

I know that My Dream Cat Michael has become louder as he has become a Senior Kittyzen.

At about 6AM I can count on the anvil chorus of MEEEEEEEEEEOOOW!
MMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW !!
MMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWW!
IM HUNNNGREEEEEEEEE!

Then I put down the food and hes happy!!
My Dream Cat!!!