Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/crying kitty

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 9/13/2009


Question
first up, my kitten is about 5 months old, she is not desexed yet and i adopted her when she was about 6 weeks old.
she is a VERY playful and active kitten and up until about a week ago everything has been good.
She is not allowed to sleep in my room as she thinks its always play time. But she has always been fine. About a week ago tho, she has become very niisy at night. She sits under the coffee table and miaows ALL night! I cant think of anything that could have bought this on as nothing has changed. Ive tried feeding her, giving her a cuddle and letting her in my room, but nothing seems to work.
Me and my room mate are getting sick of waking up 10+ times during the night, any advice would be great.
Thankyou

Answer
Hannah,

First, I would get her spayed as soon as possible! It sounds like she is starting to go into heat.

Sometimes having a kitty friend helps. Kittens need another kitten to play kitty games with, and to be comfort and companionship when they are alone.

Suggestion for at night: play with her right before you go to bed. A pet laser light is an excellent interactive toy (you can get them at PetSmart, Petco, etc.), or pull a shoestring or rope for her to chase. A good play session before bedtime will tire her out, which is essential for a good nights sleep for you both!  

Give the cat a can of catfood after you play with her, just before you go to bed. That way she will have a full tummy, be tired from playing, and will sleep longer (hopefully!)

Leaving a bowl of dry food out will help too. If she gets the munchies, she won't have to try to wake you and it will tide her over until you get up. Give her a good quality kitten chow (like Iams) until she is a year old. A kitten needs the protein and extras that kitten chow provides for it's first year. And also, energetic kittens burn more energy so they need to eat more.

As a precaution, I will also mention that crying could be a sign of pain. That is the only way a cat has to tell you.

Please consider the spaying soon. That cures a LOT of behavior problems!

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.

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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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