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Written by Wendy Christensen
Q: My cat found me when she was about six weeks old in the parking lot of a night club. She was malnourished and flooded with fleas. We had our vet appointment the next day and then she settled in. The first year she never once meowed. I began to think maybe she didn't have a voice. Suddenly, the second year, her meows began and haven't stopped since (4 years).
She'll have her food, water, and can go in and out of the house at will through the cat door. She just seems to want to talk. A few moments ago, she went outside, jumped up on the gas heater unit outside my bedroom window and began meowing (not upset, a pleasing meow). After awhile I began meowing back because this seems to mollify her. Then we quit. Soon she was outside my bedroom door, meowing again (as if to see just if I was there.) I cooed her name. In a few minutes she was back outside my window again, meowing of course. This is just the current incident. She meows a lot! Why does she talk so much? When all her needs are met, what does it mean? Or should I just accept the fact that I have a gabby tabby?
Overall, she's a happy gal and quite active. She loves to turn the overhead light on and off in my living room by jumping on the couch and reaching up to the long chain on which I have a furry ball attached to the end. It's hilarious when outside after dark watching the light go on and off.
A: As long as she's healthy and doesn't exhibit any behavior problems, it sounds like you have a very chatty pussycat!. Does she have any evident Siamese or other "Oriental" type heritage (from her looks)? These cats are known as the cat world's most talkative representatives. And I guess, like people, some cats just have a lot more to communicate than others (or they think they do!).
Perhaps she just never had anyone to talk to before she met you, so she wasn't used to the idea - then one day it hit her - "Hey! You LIKE me! You REALLY like me!" Maybe, she's trying to teach you to speak felinese.
I suspect that she'd really appreciate some feline companionship. Even though she's allowed outdoors, she might like very much to have a feline friend of her very own. Although many people think cats are solitary or even antisocial, they're really quite fond of companionship. I personally think that everyone needs a friend of their own species. So… you might want to think about adopting a companion or two for her. I suggest a pair of kittens, of opposite genders, at least 12 weeks old, if you decide to do this.
Cats are intelligent and observant creatures, and they're highly susceptible to loneliness and boredom. Your cat is clearly very clever (turning the lights on and off) and also quite proud of herself about it. She may well want to share her life and talents with more creatures than just you - much as she loves you. Some cats (like some people) just need a bigger audience.
Because your cat talks SO much, I would really consider the possibility that she's trying to tell you something, or ask for something. And my guess would be - feline companionship.
Q: My youngest cat is 2 1/2 years old. He is a male tiger cat. He is such a lovebug and so much fun but lately he is driving us crazy. Usually between 4-6AM every day now, he starts walking all over us, knocking things off the nightstands and trying to crawl up the curtains/blinds. We have tried double stick tape, water bottles, taking the blinds off and nothing stops him from doing this. I don't know what to do. HELP!
A: Your cat is just being a good "wild cat" - dawn is hunting time! Cats evolved as crepuscular (dawn and dusk) hunters. Domestic cats are very close (just a species apart) from their small wildcat cousins, so their instincts are closely related to their wild origins. I also have a personal theory that the more closely a cat resembles his small wild counterparts (the African Wild Cat and the Scottish Wild Cat), the closer his behavior will resemble their "wild cat" behavior. As a tiger cat, your cat qualifies.
Cats respond to light levels, not clocks (much less human sleep schedules). Just before the sun rises is the best hunting time of the day, when a wild cat's prey is most active. What your cat is doing is perfectly natural.
My advice is to either lock him out of your bedroom, or try your best to ignore his antics. He likely enjoys getting a rise out of you, and he probably considers your responses part of a delightful "mock-hunting" game. Removing the audience, and the feedback, often will cause a cat to go find somebody or something more fun to play with. In the meantime, make sure there are no breakable objects he can knock down.
Herding Cats At Home - May 2005 2
Herding Cats At Home - May 2005 3
Herding Cats At Home - May 2005 4
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