My cat is constantly crying - ideas please!?

Question

I have a 4 year old manx cat, she is very gentle and soft (and yes I admit I treat her like baby) however recently it appears that her way of communicating is to cry. she cries for attention, food, to go out, if she thinks you should be upstairs, if she wants you down stairs. She recently went into Kennels and while she was a little demanding before than since she came out it has been ridiculous.

Now do not get me wrong I love me cat to bits so only humane answers please. But is there anyway I can shut her up. I have tried ignoring her, but it doesn't work. I CAN NOT do anything cruel (hit, lock out, etc) so please don't make these kinds of suggestions, but does anyone have any suggestions for training - like dog training or child training? Basically to get me cat to stop crying all of the time.

Thank you all for your advice - there is some really good stuff there. I do think that it is just that she is the baby of the family and a little upset by being in Kennels (although she is lord and master of the house and she certainly knows it).

We took her to the vets when we got back and she is in perfect working order - once I know she is watered and fed I am going to try ignoring her again.

She isn't the friendlist to other cats and is more than happy with just her dog so I am sure it isn't her needing a mate either.

It will just be trama from the holiday.

Thank you all again, I will be trying a lot of your suggestions.

Answer 1

Hi,

Have you tried "Clicker Training". I haven't tried it myself, but a friend of mine did and she was really impressed with the results!

I've attached a link below, it might give you some idea on where to start with her.

Otherwise, check out the second link - it's a site that sells earplugs.

xxxx

Answer 2

Try picking her up and cuddling her, call her when you're sitting down doing something and pet her, giving her alot of attention for a while and making her feel very secure and that you're there. Be very happy to see her when you come home, etc. Be very sensitive to her and see if the crying doesn't wear off. She was used to attention before (correct?) and was probably traumatized by the new surroundings and lack of attention in the Kennel, all the other animals, new surroundings, etc. Spoil her , love her, make her feel comfortable. I would suspect first that she is upset/lonley - not so much amused with her new sound like a child would be. Try it.

Answer 3

She's afraid you're going to go off and leave her in a strange place again. The crying is to make sure you're still there and still love her. The only thing that will help this is time. Don't dance attendance on her, or you will reinforce this behaviour--but don't ignore her completely. You may need to invest in some earplugs for awhile, for the sake of your nerves. Follow your normal routine, making sure she gets plenty of lap time and games with you, but when it's your "alone time" or you're busy, put the earplugs in.
You also might take her to the vet to be checked, to make sure there isn't an organic problem, but I think it's just anxiety.

Answer 4

we have a cat that can't be spayed for medical reasons. She is very needy and cries constantly for anything and everything. She loves being under the covers so here is one of the only things that has worked to settle her down. I build a "hut" on the corner of the couch - prop up pillows - make a little room and cover it with blankets and put a nice little throw pillow in there. When she starts to cry I get her to go in the hut and she usually gets distracted enough we get 15 minutes of peace. Often when she comes back out you can get her to go right back in. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Manx cats are notorious talkers along with Siamese cats. Cats cry for all different reasons, although it seems your baby has a bit of seperation anxiety. The other thing you may want to do is take her to the vet for a check up. She may be in pain. Cats cry because that's their only way of communication. You may be mis-interpreting what she is trying to say.

Answer 6

She's testing you, when she cries you come, and pamper her, it's like to do with a baby, just let her, cry, I know what your going through, My cat JJ is a big moma's boy, But he cries now and then but not much. Let her cry it out.Well , the only thing I could think, It's not cruel, biut it would might help, get a spray bottle and spray her , and say no. Water will not hurt your cat , but it will let her know.

Answer 7

I'd admire the fact you don't want to harm your cat. Try not listing to her. If she crys say no and walk away. Still feed her and care for her but if she wants you down stairs, stay up stairs. This shows her who's boss. If this doesn't work, and this might seem silly, but meow back at her. She'll be pissed off and stop meowing.

Answer 8

Cats don't take well to change.
Being in the kennel has upset her routine.
She was removed from her enviorment and taken to a place with different smells, sounds, sights and animals and people that she didn't know.

Just be patient with her, it may take sometime until she feels safe again.

Answer 9

You said it............ she is your baby. She sees you as Mommy. My cat Mia wakes me up every morning with first kisses then she want to be cuddled then the crying starts first for food, then water straight from the fridge, not the tap. then she wants her litter scooped out. then she is ready for the bed to be made so she can take her nap. She can't sleep on a messy bed. She sure has me trained.She keeps me in line! I wouldn't have it any other way.

Answer 10

I know just how u feel, i sympathise wih you...My old cat who died a few years ago was like that, it was her way of calling out to see where i was, she followed me constantly..the only time she was quiet was when she was asleep.. Poor baby...I miss hearing her now.