When will my cat stop howling?

frodothecat

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Jun 21, 2016
Messages
1
Purraise
1
I took in a feral cat 6 days ago and he is farther along than others, I think. He is 6 weeks old and he comes out and sits by me and smells my leg, but only to walk away. He won't let me pet him yet but he has eaten out of my hand. In a few days I think I might attempt to pet him while he's eating.
However, every morning and night, he yowls and looks out the window. I think he misses his family and it makes me feel really bad. I tried to cut off access to the windows, but he gets there by chairs and scratching posts. The yowling doesn't bother me so much, it just makes me sad. Any idea if this will stop soon? Also, do you think it is a good idea I pet him soon?
 

Shane Kent

Crazy Cat Gentleman
Top Cat
Joined
May 9, 2016
Messages
1,319
Purraise
5,965
Location
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I read somewhere that cats, like all creatures, are not 100% predictable. So it is hard to say when the kitten would stop. It takes 2 to 6 weeks to tame a feral kitten, you are fortunate he is young as it typically takes less time the younger they are. But again cats are not 100% predictable so could take longer than 6 weeks or shorter than 2.

I trapped and brought in two feral kittens, several months older than yours. A female I call Kitty and her brother I call Rusty. He settled within days where she was restless for much longer. After a couple of weeks she gave in slowly. Now she wants me to pick her up, climbs on my lap, etc.

Keep him entertained (toys) as much as possible and get him neutered as soon as possible. He could be howling out of boredom or he could be howling because of stress. Stress should leave as he becomes more tame.

Neutering him will take the wind out of his sail and make it easier to tame him. That and you don't want him spraying in your house or creating more little homeless kitties.

As for petting him, if he rubs you then you can rub him. When he rubs against you is a good sign to pet him. Approach slowly, talk softly and be patient. You are giving this cat a longer more comfortable life don't be in too big a hurry to pet him.
 
Last edited:

mazie

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 11, 2015
Messages
1,558
Purraise
1,416
Location
south Georgia
If he is only 6 weeks old, he is  too young to be separated from his mother and siblings ideally, and  yes, he is misses his mother/siblings, hence the crying.  That being said, you must now assume the role of mom.  What are you feeding him??  Are you feeding him wet food and dry kitten chow.  I will step aside and let the experts tell you how many times a day, what food he needs, etc.  He is too young to be neutered at well.  I believe about 12 weeks is the optimum time for neutering.  Do you have a stuffed animal you can place in his bed for furry comfort for him to snuggle up against, that should help somewhat the missing of mom/siblings.  Most important, You are MOM now and he is a scared little baby needing love and comfort. As he adjusts to his new environment, he will warm up to you very soon.  You  now take the place of mom and siblings.  You can do this, but must understand what your new role is,  mom, and being that he is so young, he is going to be very needy. But, that is all part of the fun.  What is his name?  AND pictures please!!

Welcome to TCS
 

Shane Kent

Crazy Cat Gentleman
Top Cat
Joined
May 9, 2016
Messages
1,319
Purraise
5,965
Location
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
When you can neuter a cat depends on health and weight more than age. That's not to say you can neuter a really young kitten. And of course it depends on your vet. My vet would not spay or neuter till a few days after their shots, and not before their first shots. My female kitten had a cold, my vet said they would reschedule her spay if she still had it.

I ran into this with my male cat at home (Taz) and was in the process of fostering a 3 year old cat (Zoe) from humane society. They would not let me take Zoe home till after I had Taz neutered. He was about 4 1/2 months which I thought was too young. Humane society told me he was plenty old enough provided he was healthy and over 2 pounds (they said 2 months and 2 pounds, provided it is healthy).
 
Last edited:
Top