My 18-year-old cat meows ALL the time!! He usually wakes me up several times a night, meowing and trying to snuggle me...which is fine, but even when I give him attention he just keeps meowing! Very loudly, too! Is it safe to give him a calming agent that I bought at Petco? I'm just worried because of his advanced age.
2007-05-02 16:55:55 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Your cat is 92 years old in human years!
Excessive vocalization may indicate the presence of a serious medical problem. Cats may excessively vocalize when they are in pain or possess neurologic problems or sensory deficits such as hearing or vision loss. Anxiety disorders, aggression, cognitive dysfunction, or other behavioral problem can also cause cats to vocalize. It also could be 'kitty dementia' just like humans can get when they get real old.
He is looking to you for comfort.
Be glad you still have him and give him all the love and attention he wants!
And listen to him, he is trying to tell you the only way he knows how that something is wrong and it is making him scared and confused....by meowing.
Take him to the vet who can hopefully find out what is wrong and he can also give you medication to ease the stress and for any pain.
2007-05-02 17:28:30 · answer #1 · answered by Mama_Kat 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
*Sigh* Some people think they're being funny.
Anyway... I would call your vet before giving it to him. Because of his advanced age, his kidneys and liver may not be what they once were and may not be able to process the chemicals and agents in the calming pill.
Your Vet may even be able to give you an answer as to why he continuously meowls. It could be that he's in pain and he's trying to tell you that something is wrong. The cause for the Meowing could be something hidden, unless it's something that he's -always- done.
My suggestion would be to schedule a routine check-up appointment with your vet within the next few days, and make sure to make a list of the things he's doing that seem strange. I often write out a list of questions to take with me, just in case I forget.
18 is pretty old for a kittycat. If you haven't had him checked on recently, you should schedule a check-up anyway.
If you want to try and give it to him tonight, call the number on the back of the box, or your local Animal Emergency number. If you're in a place where a Vet's office is still open... give them a buzz. When in doubt, always consult the professionals.
2007-05-03 00:05:42 · answer #2 · answered by Siddhartha 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know. If the cat's not in any distress, he's probably just a little nuts. We have a cat that goes off on a meowing jag several times a day, but she usually stops after about 30 seconds. If you bought the calming agent at Petco and there are no warnings about age limits, I would think it would be okay to try it. It may not even do anything, or it may calm your cat a bit at night when you want to sleep. Good luck.
2007-05-02 23:59:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Loud meowing like that is a symptom of hypothyroidism. I would get him a blood test, especially at that age. It is generally easy to treat with a hormone replacement pill. Untreated it could be very dangerous, and the calming agent would do nothing or just cover up the problem.
**EDIT** I wouild agree that homeopathics are good. But, they are just as powerful as other meds, so it is wrong to think they are "completely safe," for any situation. You still can't overmedicate, etc. -- it's always best to seek vet advice, especially if it's unclear why your kitty is behaving this way. Rescue remedy is pretty completely safe, but some of that stuff they sell at petco i would be careful with.
2007-05-03 00:11:55 · answer #4 · answered by boncarles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since your cat is eighteen, I would not think that an over the counter calming agent would be safe to give your cat without your vets advice. Some products can adversely affect older animals heart rhythm and breathing.
My family includes four cats and one dog and I have found the Comfort Zone Products work very well to keep everyone calm, cool and collected, which keeps the human family members calm cool and collected as well.
These products are available in most large pet stores and in the Drs. Fosters and Smith pet product catalogs. The units plug into an electric socket and the refills contain natural cat pheromones which help keep everyone on an even keel. There are also anti-anxiety sprays available which you can spray on favorite cuddle spots and even in carriers when you cat is being transported in a vehicle.
Hug your senior kitty baby, he really thinks you are his family and that is a good thing.
2007-05-03 00:07:07 · answer #5 · answered by Sue F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds as if he is losing his hearing; this is a common cause of elderly cats meowing a lot. You might even try cleaning his ears with Debrox, my vet said it was okay. It might help, or it might not...
As for the calming agent, I don't know what it is, but I imagine it is safe if sold over the counter for cats.
As a general rule, any "homeopathic" medicine is completely safe; you can get the homeopathic medicines made for humans; it is fine, and the dosage isn't critical.
I've known some Vets to use Rescue Remedy, a Bach Flower remedy sold at health food stores, for anxious pets.
Good luck.
2007-05-03 00:12:27 · answer #6 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, don't give him the calming agent. He wants attention. Spend more time in the evening giving him attention. He probably sleeps all day when you aren't home and then is up all night. Your best bet is to give him attention when you get home and keep right on giving it to him until bedtime. Hopefully he will sleep FINALLY. Once he feels less ignored, things should settle down again. Spend a little less time on your stuff and more time with him.
2007-05-03 00:01:30 · answer #7 · answered by CarbonDated 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used to work for petco and the calming products they sell are mostly all natural and should be safe to use on a animal of any age. ps my cats meow at me all the time too!
2007-05-03 00:00:33 · answer #8 · answered by tsteen0423 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
as in experience I think the cat could be in pain or maybe telling you that its in the mood for a little extra attention, try to feel around the cats under belly and neck area for anything unusual or if the cats shows pain anywhere, i have had several cats make it to 18-19 not much longer.i have no idea with the pet store drugs. good luck!
2007-05-03 00:09:14 · answer #9 · answered by Mike 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have 4 cats they don't meow that much only when there sick i real think you should see the vet.
2007-05-03 01:01:26 · answer #10 · answered by coco 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋