Help please-Excessive Meowing (in older kitty cats)?

Question

OK, this'll probably need to be answered by an "older" cat owner (no offense, over 25-there's reason). My husband and I have one cat - we don't have kids, she's family. I'm kinda scared to say her exact age (when I tell people say stuff like, "Wow, she's so old she's going to drop dead any minute!" )which I know&understand, but don't like to be REMINDED every day since all we can do is just give her lotsa love. Anyway she's been around since Clinton was elected. She eats, pees etc sleeps & walks normally, still, happy to play with toys, a little arthritis but healthy (4 her age).She's meowed more than usual but always been "needy" (I may run out of room & have to explain when people ?) but the last month she's walked around MEOWing WAY more than usual. I'll walk in to check & she'll be sitting there like, "what?" we checked her & she's not sore anywhere, etc.Is this normal for older cats?Maybe she's :(getting senile/confused more now? We're getting nervous-is it normal? Experiences?

*everytime we take her to the vet it scares the bejeezus out of her so since she's doing everything else normally, + we pay close attention *she's always been an indoor kitty *

*every time we take her to the vet it scares the crap out of her, the vet (she turns into a ball of fur and claws) AND it is no picnic for us either so, since she's been acting totally normal & healthy other than that we're trying to avoid it-BTW we pay attention closely to things like that, her eating, etc. *she's always been an indoor kitty *less than 6 months ago she got a clean bill of health on her check-up other than normal aging things for cats *it's at the point where I'm losing sleep between her meowing so loud and us getting up to check on her after a certain length of time *she's been needier the last couple years which the vet and books say in normal as they get older... also I freelance write from home so she's not left alone too much *we really, really love her and she's like our baby--I know we should not get too attached but it is hard not to, she's so sweet.

*she doesn't seem disoriented.
*we give her fish oil Omega-3-type capsules for her joints daily +baby aspirin every other day (but maybe she needs more)
*yes, I admit I am looking for excuses for no vet trip, though some are valid (vet gave her mild sedatives so staff won't have to use extra assistants to hold her down ¬ shred up everyone involved-but hubby sez he can't stand giving them 'cause he hates seeing her "all groggy"-SIGH, guess that's another topic/question)
*she had that weird expensive but effective iodine treatment 5 yrs ago for hypothyroidism (hyPER? whichever makes them too skinny & nervous) & she was "Atomic Kitty" for a week after treatment, then totally improved.
* Props out & TY for all answers, especially Sunbeam, Shadow, Tigger, & Bonslar for the links, sources, helpful info, shared experiences, & MOST of all, the kind words. All replies were incredibly helpful. We cat lovers gotta stick together! Have a great week, all... Peace! and thanks again- I mean it :)

Answer 1

Shame, sometimes we wish they could live for ever. Mortal pets! But how would they react when we pass on? Worse than we would react when they pass on.

My guess is that she has something wrong somewhere. Please take her to the vet. I know you are scared of the truth and you are looking for excuses not to take her, but would you rather let her suffer? I am sorry for this answer.

You would feel better if the vet finds nothing wrong. And perhaps your kitty just needs some medication. I hope this is the case!!!

Also email the same question to [e-mail]

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http://www.cats-inverurie.co.uk/Catcare/Older%20Cats/SeniorCats.htm

Answer 2

When cats meow alot, they are trying to tell you something. Everything isn't always visual whenever a animal is in pain. If she is getting older it may be arthritis. When humans get older they have the same pain. I would say this is probably a part of the aging process. Go see you vet because they are treatments that could help with her pain.

Answer 3

Hi and welcome to senior cat time :-). I had a cat who lived to be 21 and around 16 or so years old started meowing a lot more than usual. Yes cats can become senile and or confused. Espeically at night time when the lights go out. Their vision does get weaker as they age, and a night light might be a nice addition to her life.

You may find you might have to get up and see how she is and reassure her that you are there. Their hearing also gets weaker as they age so she may not hear you answer her call. They do get lonely and scared so she may need to know that she has not been left alone but that its bed time.

They may also suffer from arthristis and this may cause her some discomfort..and nice heated water bottle under a towel would be nice. Don't use a heating pad as they can over heat or if she accidently pee's sock her. You may need a "seniors" checkup. After about 9 or so they should get a blood panel done to gage the rest of her test at.
My old guy use to get caught in corners and we'd have to get up and turn him around.
As for other people..I don't worry about what they think of what I do for my "babies"..I don't have kids either so poop on them :-) and hiss and spitt at them if they make rude age comments about your furbaby

So to answer your question..yes this is a normal part of seniorhood in cats...

Answer 4

I just said goodbye to my very old kitty baby, and she did the same thing the last year she was with me.
She was blind when she died and I think it came on slowly, not enough for her to bump into things at first, but I think she started to get disoriented (and cry) early on and it grew worse until I finally noticed.
I decided that as long as she seemed happy and pain free I would do whatever it took to make her comfortable. I cleared a path to and from the litter box and the food dishes. Nothing left by mistake for her to trip on. I gave her her favorite foods and treats, even when it wasn't the best thing for her.
She was senile at the end. She would do things like try to get under the stove,and cry when she didn't fit, and climb a lampshade near her favorite spot on the couch when she never did before.
Her heart failed her. I was heart broken. The best therapy is a kitten. Trust me, she is keeping me to busy to be sad.

Answer 5

I'm at a loss too. But does she shake her head? It could be that the pain is in her ears.

Or maybe she is, as we affectionately say, 'Feeling her meeces'.

It may not be normal, but our older cat is more vocal than she used to be. A number of times she has startled me by waking up while letting out a bunch of deep-throated meows. If she's not in pain otherwise, just keep enjoying her!

Answer 6

My advice would be to ask your vet. I have a cat who is 11 years old and she meows a lot, but she has always been like this. If your cat is starting to meow more, she is trying to tell you something.

Answer 7

mabey the arthritis is getting worse and she is in pain alot !