Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Help

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 2/7/2009


Question
I took my nearly 4 yr old, unspayed female to the vet yesterday. I suspect she may be pregnant. The vet agreed, but feels it's too early to tell. Thought she may have felt something though. Since we returned this afternoon my cat's strange behavior has become even stranger. Incessant crying, pacing the floor, looking up at the ceiling, door and and stairwell like she's waiting for someone/something, or something is going to get her. She can't sit still. Constipation is ruled out as of 10 minutes ago. I did notice when they took her temp rectally, they put a lil cover on the end of the thermometer, and when they took it out the cover didn't come out with it. Is that normal? Is it like stuck in her causing a problem? Any Idea's where the weird unsettled behavior is coming from? I'm worried.

Answer
Nichole,

Her behavior sounds as if she is in heat. She may not be pregnant!

I would get her spayed as soon as possible, especially if she IS pregnant.

No, it's NOT normal for the cover not to come out with the thermometer. I would give the vet a call and explain your concern about the thermometer cover, and her behavior. Being in pain could cause her crying too.

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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