i need sleep!

Bell my 7(?) Month old unfixed male is strictly an inside cat escaped about a month ago. Caught him before he got too far. But since then he's done nothing buy meow and triall and howl all night long! My husband has to get up at 4 for work and he's beyond fed up. We've tried playing before bed, checked the litter box, lots of attention. The longer you ignore him the louder he gets! He woke my kids up (7&3) the other night. I don't know what else to do besides getting him fixed but vets on vacation til next month! Even if he gets in bed with me he meows in my face! I'm not giving him attention at 2:30 in the morning!! Ahhhh

Update!!

Called a different rescue today and looks like Mr bell might be getting fixed next week! Its a place for low income families! As long as I can scrape the money together well be going there! Waiting for a phone call Monday!

He definitely needs to be fixed!  Can you find a rescue or shelter that does neuters?  It's such a simple procedure for males.

His behavior is completely hormone driven.  He is not doing it to be mean, he is doing it because he wants outside to go in search of a mate.  You need to get him fixed ASAP.  The procedure is so very simple.  Yet it does take 2-6 weeks for their hormones to completely shut down.  The longer you wait, the more his behavior will become a habit.  This means that even after being fixed, he will continue with some of this behavior as it has become learned.  Please be very careful  in not letting him get outside.  He will wander far and wide in search of a mate.  Males will even forgo food when they are on the prowl for a mate.  They are completely hormone driven.  I would definitely look into another place to get him neutered.  You can try low cost spay and neuter clinics or try another vet in your area.

I live in a VERY rural area and I've heard too many bad things about the other clinics around here. Today she I was bringing in groceries I closed him in a room to make sure he didn't sneak out I hold him while I let the dogs out. I will call around the surrounding areas and see if I can find someone else to "fix" him.

Is there anything I can give him to get some rest til this is done!? I've called all the vets in my area and it's still going to be 3 weeks!!! I can't keep going with no sleep! Hubby is getting beyond impatient with him as well. He's on the couch right now because he has to be up at 4 am. He fell asleep at work the other day and boss man caught him. Since Bell was a drop off he's ready to throw the towel in and rehome him. If I can't do something about the sleep I'm going tl have to get rid of him.

I don't think there is anything you can do to settle him.  Nature says it's time to mate.  Do you have a place you could safely crate him away from your bedrooms?  Consider playing some white noise in your room?  My DH even slept with ear plugs when our kiddos were babies ( ).  

TerraBella said:

Is there anything I can give him to get some rest til this is done!? I've called all the vets in my area and it's still going to be 3 weeks!!! I can't keep going with no sleep! Hubby is getting beyond impatient with him as well. He's on the couch right now because he has to be up at 4 am. He fell asleep at work the other day and boss man caught him. Since Bell was a drop off he's ready to throw the towel in and rehome him. If I can't do something about the sleep I'm going tl have to get rid of him.

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@TerraBellaHave you checked the low cost spay and neuter clinics as well as Humane Societies and/or ASPCA? 

Please do not let him outside or just dump him.  He then becomes someone else's problem.  I realize this is very difficult.  Do you have a basement where he could go into a crate at night?

What about using sound machines or white noise?  You can get apps found on cell phones for free.  They also sell white noise machines.  They really do help to block out sound. 

You could place him in a room with some music playing and some white noise.

I understand the impatience, but the poor cat cannot control this at all.  He is not doing it to be mean or to bother you.  Nature is calling.  Owning a cat comes with responsibility.  If your rehome him then it becomes someone else's problem and that is just not fair. 

I hope you can find a way to make it through the next 3 weeks.  I would call every vet, humane society, low cost clinic and get my name on a wait list.  Ask the vets for help too.  Tell them your issue and see if they can help with a solution.

You're getting really good advice here. The one thing that I would add, tell any vet or clinic you call to call you if there are cancellations. Most vets want to fill slots even if someone cancels fairly last minute so it may be your best chance to get him neutered sooner rather than later. It's unfortunante that you didn't get a chance to neuter him younger when his hormones weren't driving him (and you guys) crazy.

Unfortunately he was a drop off and the only vet that will help me fix him financially is the one who's saying three weeks. I know they shouldn't cost much but right now it's more the I have. I over drafted my account on a bag of cat food last night actually. I really am doing the best I can for him.

He was a drop off to me... I didn't pick him up for Walmart or go Oh look a Kitty. I'm not into "dumping" animals. No I don't have a basement or an extra room. I wish I did. If it wasn't so cold out I'd put him in my garage in a crate but where I live he would probably freeze to death. I'm looking for something to help him relax. I play with him for up to two hrs before bed. If I could go and just get him fixed I would have the day I found him cold wet and scared in my ditch! I just need him to calm down or I would have w choice in the matter. Hubby is stressed about his job and finances and hes the only one working.

NewYork1303 said:

You're getting really good advice here. The one thing that I would add, tell any vet or clinic you call to call you if there are cancellations. Most vets want to fill slots even if someone cancels fairly last minute so it may be your best chance to get him neutered sooner rather than later. It's unfortunante that you didn't get a chance to neuter him younger when his hormones weren't driving him (and you guys) crazy.

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ShadowsRescue said:

@TerraBella
Have you checked the low cost spay and neuter clinics as well as Humane Societies and/or ASPCA? 

Please do not let him outside or just dump him.  He then becomes someone else's problem.  I realize this is very difficult.  Do you have a basement where he could go into a crate at night?

What about using sound machines or white noise?  You can get apps found on cell phones for free.  They also sell white noise machines.  They really do help to block out sound. 

You could place him in a room with some music playing and some white noise.

I understand the impatience, but the poor cat cannot control this at all.  He is not doing it to be mean or to bother you.  Nature is calling.  Owning a cat comes with responsibility.  If your rehome him then it becomes someone else's problem and that is just not fair. 

I hope you can find a way to make it through the next 3 weeks.  I would call every vet, humane society, low cost clinic and get my name on a wait list.  Ask the vets for help too.  Tell them your issue and see if they can help with a solution.

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First let me say that I have a huge amount of respect for you and your husband, the fact that you are spending tight resources on giving this kitty a home is a noble act. You are good people !!

 Why is the vet saying 3 weeks? because the kitty is not old enough or because the vet can't fit him in?  Were are you located? someone on this site might know of an organization that could provide assistance.  

He's on vacation with his family til February. I'm in Michigan. I've looked online and have came up with anything. If I could find any one/thing to help it would be awesome!! I really really want to keep him. I love him. I was just wondering with this post if there's anything to calm him really. Maybe I worded it wrong. I don't want to drug him or anything just calm him. The up at night doesn't bother anyone. Its really just the meowing and howling.

you can try a feliway diffuser to calm him but I honestly don't know if it will help. I think it is likely hormonal that only neutering will address.  

Here are some resources from the Humane Society.  These are organizations in the state of Michigan that might be able to help you

Michigan

Adopt-A-Pet: Fenton (spay/neuter assistance)

All About Animals Rescue: Eastpointe (spay/neuter assistance)

Cascades Humane Society: Jackson (pet food, spay/neuter assistance)

C-SNIP: Kentwood (spay/neuter assistance)

Furever Full Food Bank: Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties (pet food)

Furry Friends Food Pantry: Holland (pet food Thursdays)
616-499-7342, 616-399-5160

Humane Society of Genesee County: Burton (spay/neuter assistance)

Humane Society of Huron Valley: Ann Arbor (pet food/litter, spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)

Humane Society of South Central Michigan: Battle Creek (spay/neuter assistance)

Kalamazoo Humane Society: Kalamazoo (pet food bank, dog houses, and spay/neuter assistance)

K9 Resque: St. Claire (pet food)

Little Traverse Bay Humane Society: Harbor Springs (spay/neuter assistance)

Luce County Pet Pals: Newberry (spay/neuter assistance)

Michigan Humane Society: Multiple Locations (spay/neuter assistance)

Mission for Area People: Muskegon Heights (pet food assistance; licensing and vet records required) 231-733-9672 

Northeast Community Lutheran Church, Little Kitchen Food Shelf

Oakland County Pet Adoption Center: Auburn Hills (spay/neuter assistance)

Oakland County Pet Food Pantry: Western Michigan (pet food and supplies)

Stop the Overpopulation of Pets: Weymouth (spay/neuter assistance)

Tail Wagger's 1990: Livonia (low-cost spay/neuter, vaccines, heartworm testing, microchipping, pet food assistance)

Voiceless–MI: Lansing (spay/neuter assistance)

Waggin' Tails Dog Rescue: Northville (pet food)

I tried some catnip spray on his bedding tonight. So far so good! He's happy and quiet! We had our usual play time. Dinner and he used his box already!

Zed Xyzed said:

you can try a feliway diffuser to calm him but I honestly don't know if it will help. I think it is likely hormonal that only neutering will address.  

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TerraBella said:

He was a drop off to me... I didn't pick him up for Walmart or go Oh look a Kitty. I'm not into "dumping" animals. No I don't have a basement or an extra room. I wish I did. If it wasn't so cold out I'd put him in my garage in a crate but where I live he would probably freeze to death. I'm looking for something to help him relax. I play with him for up to two hrs before bed. If I could go and just get him fixed I would have the day I found him cold wet and scared in my ditch! I just need him to calm down or I would have w choice in the matter. Hubby is stressed about his job and finances and hes the only one working.
 

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Got it! No offense meant. I honestly meant that it is a shame you weren't able to get him fixed earlier NOT implying that you ought to have.  The situation sounds really difficult! With luck you might be able to use some good calming remedies such as catnip and maybe some other natural remedies to make all of this work out. 

Too bad the vet will be gone till February. That sucks!

Thats what I did last night and he was actually pretty quiet!! Last night I used a catnip spray and used some on his bed. We did our normal play, dinner, litter box and then he was quiet! I don't have to be up for another hr yet but at least he was quiet most of the night and hubby got to sleep!

NewYork1303 said:

Got it! No offense meant. I honestly meant that it is a shame you weren't able to get him fixed earlier NOT implying that you ought to have.  The situation sounds really difficult! With luck you might be able to use some good calming remedies such as catnip and maybe some other natural remedies to make all of this work out. 

Too bad the vet will be gone till February. That sucks!

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TerraBella said:

Thats what I did last night and he was actually pretty quiet!! Last night I used a catnip spray and used some on his bed. We did our normal play, dinner, litter box and then he was quiet! I don't have to be up for another hr yet but at least he was quiet most of the night and hubby got to sleep!

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Yay!

Hell be getting fixed soon too! Found another place that for low income households! So if he sneeks out he won't contribute to the over population of strays too! They're willing to take payments! $20 every other week for three paychecks so that makes me feel a ton better. I told them he was a drop off but I was doing the best I could to care for him but he keeps trying to sneek out. Really really nice. Waiting on my packet to get here in the mail!

NewYork1303 said:

Yay!

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Sounds like things are looking up. You've worked really hard for your kitty and it's paying off. What a lucky kitty to have you as a guardian. [emoji]128149[/emoji]