Expert: Dear Tabbi - 5/12/2009

Question
Our male, spayed/neutered 18 month old cat's behaviour has changed since we have returned from holiday.  We leave him at home, shut in and visited by a home sitter lady 3 times a day for food and playing etc.  We have done this since we found him at 6 weeks old (belive he may be feral)and he spends most of his day in the house when we are at work, as he tends to get beat up if left out all day.

Previously upon our return, he may have cried and been very verbal for a day or so and then settles back down.

However, this time we have been back 4 days from leave and he is really verbal, crying, baying at night, when we put him to bed.  Wondering around the house being verbal when we are there. He has always been a chatty cat but this is heart wrenching and would like to know what we can do to ease his pain. We are giving him loads of attention and petting, he doesn't like cuddles and this seems to ease him for a while only.

Answer
Karin,

Even though he is neutered and an indoor cat, he may have a strong 'male mentality' and his 'crying' could be from him reacting to the smell of a female in heat somewhere in the neighborhood. If a cat is going to do it, that behavior usually starts when they are 2-3 years old, though it can start earlier (or later). The behavior will stop there are no more females in heat.

Crying can also be a sign that the cat is in pain.

To try to control your cat's vocalization at night, play with him before you go to bed (a pet laser light is excellent for that), then give him a can of cat food. Being tired from playing and full from eating, he should go to sleep and not be meowing.

You may also want to consider getting him a kitty friend for company and companionship. That would help when he is left alone.

Tabbi