1 1/2 Year Old Cat Howling

I have two cats one almost 2 years and the other a year a half old. Luke is the younger of the two. He is neutered, and he seems to be howling ALL THE TIME. It started about 6 months ago, he would go behind my TV stand and howl, I would call his name and he would come out and come to me, let me pet him and then go right back and do it again. Then he started to howl at the wall, nothing there, he would just sit, look up and howl, he still does this every day. Just recently he began to howl when I would go into my room to lay down for bed, and howls in the morning around 6:30 -- when my alarm goes off. He has always been a vocal cat, but I am not sure if he is just wanting to hear himself, wants attention, or something is going wrong... 

Any advice would be great!  

I would have a vet check him out to rule out any medical reasons. If he gets a clear bill of health, think back to when he started doing this. Had anything changed in his environment? Since he has been doing this for so long, it may have just become a habit.

He is acting normal. No change in his eating habits, he is still VERY playful and not lethargic and he comes when I call him. I have a feeling that the vet is going to ask that and say "he is fine" and then I have to pay a $60 vet bill. There have been no changes to his environment. I have not moved any furniture around. 

I might just call the vet and set up an appointment soon. 

I think it is a habit, and he just likes to hear his voice. I call him while he is howling and he comes running. I give him plenty of attention and play with him. I am just wanting to get some advice. 

Hmm....my initial thoughts are 1) a urinary tract infection/crystals, which can be very painful and cause howling (but this has been going on for quite some time), 2) a hearing issue, as deaf or partially deaf cats will howl very loud because they can't hear themselves, but since you said he comes to you after you call his name, we can rule this out, and 3) a behavioral thing.  

I have three cats and two of them will  "call" each other. It is a very low pitched, quick meow (very distinct from other sounds they make), and sure enough, the one being called will get up and go to the one calling.

I had someone tell me that he could be calling for a mate? He is neutered though...... 

His is a very distinct howl... literally that is what I call it. It woke me up last night, he was so loud.

I really just think that he is just wanting attention, but I am seriously considering taking him to the vet. 

meganelizabeth8 said:

 
I had someone tell me that he could be calling for a mate? He is neutered though...... 

His is a very distinct howl... literally that is what I call it. It woke me up last night, he was so loud.

I really just think that he is just wanting attention, but I am seriously considering taking him to the vet. 

Click to expand...

I think it would be a good thing to have him checked out. I always like to do a full blood panel and urinalysis when I take my cats in for a check-up. If all comes out okay, then you'll at least be assured he is in good health, and this can be confidently addressed as a behavior issue.

If it is behavioral, you could try some Feliway diffusers to help calm him down.

I think hyperthyroid can cause yowling. . .of course he hasn't lost any weight yet, but it could still be in the early stages. Or he may have lost some hearing. Those would be the tests I would have the vet run.

If it's purely behavioral and you just can't stand it, the vet may prescribe an anti-anxiety med or a mild sedative to help him calm down at night. But before going there, try exercising him hard right before bed to tire him out.