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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Geriatric Cat
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Hello again Tabbi,
Many thanks for your comments re Tiffany and for having given me a better understanding of her problems. I looked at the websites you suggested and they certainly have a lot of info on them. Whilst I understand the possible causes of her loud meowing during the night, I still don't know how to deal with it. I tried putting her bed beside my bed and she slept for a few hours, but then she started walking around and meowing on and off for hours until I gave up and got out of bed. I'm seriously sleep-deprived now and just don't know what to do. Is there any sleeping medication for cats? That may sound weird, but I do need to get my sleep so that I can function.
Many thanks.
Lyn,
The best thing to do would be to take the cat to the vet to see if there is a medical reason causing her to meow. I know they have kitty Prozac that is commonly used to calm animals but I don't know about any sleeping aids. You need to ask the vet what is available and what he would recommend for a geriatric cat.
I can imagine how frustrating it is. But it's also frustrating for her too when she's trying to tell you something....whether she knows what is is or not. It's hard but try to be patient with her. Someday you may wish she was still here meowing.
I think talking to a vet is your best shot for getting some sleep.
Tabbi
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Hello again Tabbi, Yes, I totally agree with you about wanting Tiffany here pestering the life out of me, rather than her not being here at all. It reminds me of when I had my two children when they were babies - crying and trying to descipher what each cry meant. Pity we don't have some translator that could give us the answers. Yes, I'll take her to the vet to see what can be done. Many thanks once again. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
Education/Credentials
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Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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