NOISY CATS
While we humans may not yet be adept at holding conversations in
cat-speak, cats nonetheless use their language to communicate with us
and other animals. Some cats "talk" more than others, but most cats do
make noise some of the time, and they expect us to know what they're
saying.
We're all familiar with the meaning of hissing and growling, but there
are many other sounds your cat is capable of making, and a variety of
reasons for vocalizing.
Medical Reasons If your cat's behavior changes suddenly, the
first thing you should do is take her to your veterinarian for a
thorough health examination. Cats often hide symptoms of illness until
they're seriously ill; any change in behavior may be an early indication
of a medical problem.
A new vocalizing behavior, in particular, may indicate physical
discomfort stemming from an urgent need for medical attention. A
normally vocal cat who stops talking is also in need of a medical
checkup. Breed Tendency Oriental breeds, such as the Siamese, are known
to be very vocal. If your cat has a pointed face and a long, lean body,
chances are she has some oriental heritage, so "talking" may be a part
of her character.
If your cat's chatter bothers you, then avoid giving her any attention when she is vocal because this will only encourage the vocal behavior. Instead, give her attention when she is quiet.
Attention-Seeking Behavior Some cats "talk" because they know they'll get a reaction. People may talk back, put out some food, pick up and soothe the cat, or even pick the animal up and temporarily "lock" her in another room. All of these responses will encourage an attention-seeking cat. To discourage this behavior, simply ignore your cat when she does this, and when she is quiet, pour on the love, feed her, or give her some treats. This will teach your cat which behaviors you would like her to continue.
Your Cat Wants to Go Outside If your cat was previously an
outdoor cat and you plan to keep her safely inside, then good for you!
The following are some suggestions to help make the transition easier on
both of you: Spay or Neuter Your Cat. Spaying or neutering will rid your
cat of those hormonal urges to go out and seek a mate. This will result
in a calmer, friendlier cat.
Create a Play Schedule. Schedule play times during the times your
cat would normally be outside. This will distract her from her normal
routine and establish another, safer routine. Provide a Window Seat. Be
sure your cat has a view of the outdoors and a sunny place to lie. Cats
like to watch birds, so putting a bird feeder outside a window is likely
to make the window a favorite spot for your cat.
Run a Scavenger Hunt. Give your cat a game to play by hiding bits
of dry food around the house. Hide the food in paper bags, boxes, and
behind open doors. This will give her exercise and keep her busy so she
doesn't think of going outside. This is especially good to do right
before the family leaves the house for the day. Pay Attention. Try to
give your cat extra love and attention during this difficult transition.
Try Aversives. If your cat still won't give up meowing by the
door, try an "aversive." For example, leave a strong citrus scent by the
door to help make the area undesirable to your cat. Totally ignore her
vocalizations. Whenever she is quiet, give her a food treat and
encourage her to play or cuddle.
Grief After the death or departure of a person or animal in your cat's
life, she may vocalize to express her grief. This can be a normal part
of the grieving process. The best thing you can do for her is keep her
schedule the same (or as close to it as possible) and spend some extra
time cuddling and playing with her. With time, this problem should take
care of itself. If your cat does not return to her normal self, consult
your veterinarian.
Transition If your cat is new to your home or has just gone
through a change€”such as a person or other animal moving into or out of
the home€”and she has just started her talkative behavior, be patient. It
may be happening due to the transition and will stop on its own if the
behavior is not encouraged. Remember, even scolding can be perceived by
your cat as attention, and thus encourage the behavior.
Adapted from material originally developed by applied animal
behaviorists at the
Dumb Friends League, Denver, Colorado. All rights reserved.
If you have questions or need our services, please contact the shelter
at
618.346.5213 or contact us today via
e-mail
Copyrights 2009 WARREN BILLHARTZ ANIMAL SHELTER OF
COLLINSVILLE. A KTLLC Communications Solution