Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Constant Meowing

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 7/21/2008


Question
I have an almost year old, spayed manx that i rescued from a shelter a few months ago(she was fixed when she was 3 months)who was surrendered for unknown reasons... But she sometimes walks around the house whining like she's lost or in heat. she carries her toys with her sometimes when she does this also. my neutered 2yr old male will sometimes pin her when she does this as well. there are some stray cats around our house that are always having kittens, could she be having a false heat by hearing them outside? any help will be appreciated!

Answer
Krystle,

Cats, like humans, can have emotional problems. They could be the result of her treatment previously.

It's possible that she is very maternal and lonely. Have you tried bringing her in a kitten and see how she reacts to it. She may need the companionship and comfort a kitten can give her, and something for her to care for.

If you wanted to have a vet xray her or give her an ultrasound, you can check to see if an ovary was missed when she was spayed which would cause her to act like she is in heat.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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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).

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