What to do about a whiney cat that is male, neutered, and well-loved?

Question

So, eliminating the possibility that he's in heat, unloved, or unhealthy, I'm at a loss what to do about my son's extremely whiney cat. Getting rid of him isn't an option either (my son loves him). He even has the loving company of my beloved, affectionate (perfect) male, neutered cat. He's just always been vocal in a way that is REALLY irritating! I'm open to any suggestions!

Answer 1

It is likely he is getting positive reinforcement when he whines. I accidentally trained my kitten to be very vocal because every time he'd cry or "talk", I'd talk back, or pay attention to him, or get up and go find him, so he learned that being noisey is the way to get attention, to the point that he'd go hide and cry until I walk into the room so he could pounce on me and try to play. You need to encourage your son and everyone else in the house to ignore the cat when he is whining, and pay attention to him when he is quiet. Disciplining him when he is whining may actually encourage him, as he is still getting the attention he asked for. But paying him attention when he is quiet and ignoring him when he whines, will positively reinforce silence instead.

Answer 2

Hi there

Having a cat pretty much the same as yours sounds to be (even our cat sitter has commented that he is whiney!) I'm sorry but I'm afraid I honestly don't think there's a great deal you can actually do!

I feel it's more a case of seeing if you can change your perception of his whineyness (not sure if that's a word but you know what I mean!). Especially if you have had him some time, because if so then this sounds to be pretty much his personality.

Sounds a bit daft, I know, but we think of our Cliffie as a feline seagull (he is white and black, which helps) and then the whining is quite amusing!!!

Some have suggested ignoring your puss when he's whining and rewarding him when he isn't - this may well be worth trying for yours as they all have such different personalities.

Having said that, I can't even begin to imagine our Cliffie's reaction if we were to go down that route with him! His main "whiney time" is when he comes in through the cat-flap, or into a room where we are - and it's as if he's just desperately trying to tell us absolutely EVERYTHING that's been going on where he's been, it's really quite comic and we always say to each other, "Oh, if only we could speak Cliff!".

Again it may sound a bit daft but it might help you to think about when he is at his most whiney - is it like our Cliffie, when he's just come in and wants to "talk"? Or are there some other triggers? Just a thought.

Going back to the personality thing, some have suggested the whining may be breed related - which is worth considering, though of course it doesn't help because it just confirms that that is how he is!

Hope I've been able to be of some help.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Some cats are just vocal. Just like some people talk too much. I would imagine you are just going to have to ignore him. Also you want make sure that there is nothing wrong with him. A vet check - up may be in order.

Answer 4

Its part of their training program. If you respond to it they keep whinning. Its their way of training us.

My does it if it wants fed, wants outside or wants anything else. If its actually time to be fed the whinning increases until I get the job done or the cat has reached maximum volume and duration, then continues at that level until the food has materialized.

Do you want another one.

Answer 5

Is he a siamese?They are really vocal, I once had a male part siamese and when he was hungary he wouldn't stop talking until you fed him. He would even come and get in my face and meow at me.

Answer 6

When it gets on your nerves try your best to ignore it. If it really gets irritating put him in your sons room and close the door.

Answer 7

You can't really 'do' anything about it, that's probably just his personality. What breed is he?

Answer 8

Shoot it.