About 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 ***********
Awards and Honors * One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
Question I have two cats. A male 16 and a female 14 yrs. The female is not demonstrating this trait yet, but my sisters 16 yr old female Siamese is -
What is happening is in the middle of the night, my male might wake up and just start screaming at the top of his lungs. He is deaf these days - I believe this because he used to come to me when I called his name and these days I can walk into a room and startle him quite a bit if he doesn't see me come in. Does one have to do with the other?
Why is he behaving this way? Is this common in older cats? Is there anything that can be done to stop it?
Thank you.
Answer Debbie,
Your male is approximately 80 years old in human years, and your female is approximately 72 years old. At that age you can expect age-related issues to surface.
A deaf cat will 'scream at the top of his lungs' at night because, one, he cannot hear himself so he tends to meow loud, the same as a deaf person will talk loud; two, a deaf cat relies on vibrations to know where everyone is and at night when 'his people' are asleep, there are no vibrations which causes the cat to become disoriented, frightened, and confused which will make him cry. He is basically saying "where is everyone?"; and three, he may have arthritis or pain which is more pronounced at night, or when it is cold, which may be causing him to 'cry'.
Do not get mad at him for behavior he can't help. The changes in is body are just as confusing to him as it is to you. He needs your assurance and love now more than ever. You may want to keep a litter box in the bedroom and keep the cats in there with you at night.
You should take both cats to a vet that is knowledgeable about geriatric cat care and their conditions (not all vets are which could be detrimental to your cats) for an "older cat checkup" to check the function of their kidneys, thyroid, liver, bloodwork, etc. If he has arthritis he can be given pain medication to make him comfortable thus increasing his quality of life.
Being prepared and knowledgable about elderly cats will make things easier for the cat and for you. I am including some very good links about elderly cats. Copy and paste, or type, the whole links into your address bar:
