You are here:

Cats/cats' meow

Advertisement

Expert: - 6/3/2009


Question
Norman-

Hello.  I have two cats at home, both female, both fixed.  We've had them both since they were kittens and the oldest one is roughly 15 years old and the other is roughly 2 years old.  My oldest one is going deaf in her aging years and they are both relatively healthy otherwise.

My question is in regards to a certain noise the oldest one makes and the younger one is now copying.  I notice the noise mostly at night, while she's alone in our bedroom.  It's sort of a cross between a yowl and a meow.  Sometimes it takes on a questioning tone.  It is constant and rhythmic for about a minute, then she stops.  It is very loud and she used to run around the house really fast after doing it, but not anymore.  The youngest one does the same thing and also tears around the house after making the noise.

Is this noise sort of an 'I'm hyper' noise?  I know the other noises like the hungry or angry, but this one leaves me guessing.  Any thoughts?  She's always made this noise, not just recently, but ever since I can remember.

Thanks for any thoughts you might have.

Holly

Answer
Holly,

This is a great question and I wish I could answer it authoritatively.  It seems that cats tend to "speak" to each other in body language and reserve oral communication for non-cats (except when angry or threatened).  They do "chirp" or "trill" to their kittens, but mostly talk to us humans who have trouble understanding the nuances of their body language.

So, this is a long way of my saying I really have no idea what this "noise" is trying to convey. I have noticed similar behaviors in some of our cats.  Some of our cats do the frantic running around the house behavior quietly and some with their own "theme music".

It is no surprise the younger one has adopted the behavior.

BTW, having a 15 year old cat is a major accomplishment.  Domestic cats kept indoors can be expected to live 12-15 years, so it is not surprising that the older one has slowed down a bit.  You must be doing something right to have a 15 year old cat!!!!!

I am sorry I cannot be of more help on this one.

Best regards... Norm.  

Cats

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.