Cat meows, no yowls all the time

twckittenmom

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My cat Oliver is very social. I've raised him from a kitten by hand watched all his sick siblings die and he was the last and I basically put my heart and soul into him. He had a severe eye infection and cold at since birth. They all did. Vet couldn't prescribe meds because they were so tiny and asked me to put them down. I didn't. I nursed each one and tried every remedy I could think of. Oliver is partially blind. But you'd near know unless you watched him run into walls as a kitten. Or looked into his big foggy eyes. He's actually the best acrobat in my home. But my issue is he SCREAMS for attention all the time. He wakes us up middle of the night. Yells all day. Like he's just so loud. I have tried every method of dealing with it from ignoring to spray bottle to crinkle noise things. NOTHING works. And he's recently started spraying which has my other cat who's fixed spraying. So I lock him out of my room at night which he's now even more vocal about. I'm 30 weeks pregnant and I can't have him doing this when babies here. I tried letting him out with our other cats earlier yesterday (I never have before because of his eyes) but I did today. Not even 3 mins later he screams at the Door like "you forgot me outside humannnn" so that peace and quiet distraction idea didn't work. He meows so much he has neck muscles from yowling. And he will scream at you even if your in the room. He just sits and talks. And if you actually give into it he goes into a quieter meow at you. I adore my cat but what on earth can I do to make this stop. He's now about 2 and I just can't give him my 100% patience anymore
 

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Hi @TWCkittenmom  You don't mention it in your post, but is Oliver neutered? The yowling and the spraying sound like classic tom cat behavior to me.

If not then you really need to get him fixed soon. It takes a while for male cats to lose the urge to spray and yowl after they've been fixed, they can actually father kittens up to a month after being neutered. You should get him done now, before the baby arrives and there are all those new smells in the home for him to deal with.

Here's an article on how to get your cat to let you sleep at night.

 [article="33461"]How To Stop My Cat From Waking Me Up At Night​[/article]  
 

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Definitely have him neutered if he is not, that would help tremendously. Have you checked his hearing by coming up behind him and making a noise? His hearing may be bad too and cause him to yowl louder. Being partially blind would do that too, because he is afraid, and doesn't know what is happening or where he is. Constant meowing may be brain damage from his illness earlier, you might have the vet check somehow for this. If he is still intact, neutering should take care of a lot of it. If not, then you'll have to confine him to a smaller area to confine his spraying. I pray that you get some help, or find a solution, you are obviously concerned and have a big heart. All the luck!
 
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twckittenmom

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He is partially blind yes but he has great hearing(he's a mouser in our old house we moved from he'd catch mice and bring them to me). And I believe he sees shadows or just not well in dark areas I leave the light on for him. But like I said he's an acrobat and has full run of the house, great depth perception. I havnt seen him run I to anything since he was little unless it's me when he gets excited and forgets how to use his kitty breaks when I get home(but I think that's purposefully became he falls onto my feet to block my path lol)Yes he isn't neutered I'm getting him fixed this month or early next month I had to find an affordable place humane Society here is very pricey for any vet help. I didn't think about him being unfixed associated with yowling. What about the fixed cat why would he be spraying in reaction to Oliver?
 
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twckittenmom

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He is partially blind yes but he has great hearing(he's a mouser in our old house we moved from he'd catch mice and bring them to me). And I believe he sees shadows or just not well in dark areas I leave the light on for him. But like I said he's an acrobat and has full run of the house, great depth perception. I havnt seen him run I to anything since he was little unless it's me when he gets excited and forgets how to use his kitty breaks when I get home(but I think that's purposefully became he falls onto my feet to block my path lol)Yes he isn't neutered I'm getting him fixed this month or early next month I had to find an affordable place humane Society here is very pricey for any vet help. I didn't think about him being unfixed associated with yowling. What about the fixed cat why would he be spraying in reaction to Oliver?
add on he's also a people and bird watcher and loves fireworks(stood in window amazed and chattering all 4th of July) so I do believe he has sight just not well. I do eye drops in his eyes every few days along with aloe Vera (it's the only thing that treated his eye infection since little so I kept doing it as a precaution)
 

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 What about the fixed cat why would he be spraying in reaction to Oliver?
All of mine are fixed, but on the few occasions a feral tom has sprayed outside the front door some of them have felt the need to spray inside in retaliation. I don't know why, the smell of an unfixed cat just stirs them up for some reason.

Glad you've made plans to get him neutered. I'm sure this will help a lot.
 
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twckittenmom

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All of mine are fixed, but on the few occasions a feral tom has sprayed outside the front door some of them have felt the need to spray inside in retaliation. I don't know why, the smell of an unfixed cat just stirs them up for some reason.

Glad you've made plans to get him neutered. I'm sure this will help a lot.
I didn't Know fixed cats sprayed in reaction like that. My fixed one also hates when I bring home queens or kittens in general. I hope that's not it [emoji]128514[/emoji][emoji]128514[/emoji][emoji]128514[/emoji] because he will be an outdoor cat in two heartbeats(they have cay condos and climbers outside...spoiled cats). I'd never give up fostering.
 

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I didn't Know fixed cats sprayed in reaction like that. My fixed one also hates when I bring home queens or kittens in general. I hope that's not it [emoji]128514[/emoji][emoji]128514[/emoji][emoji]128514[/emoji] because he will be an outdoor cat in two heartbeats(they have cay condos and climbers outside...spoiled cats). I'd never give up fostering.
I think once you've had the intact male fixed the problem will get a lot better. You can use a good enzyme cleaner to clean up with, that will get rid of the smell and mean the cats don't feel they have to mark where the first cat did.

Spaying with cats is a bit like graffiti, if it's a blank wall it gets left alone but once the first cat has sprayed "Kitty was here" the next cat feels they should spray too.

Are your outdoor condos in an enclosure? There's nothing wrong with letting them have outdoor access if they are kept in an enclosure, but letting them roam is very dangerous. Cats don't live very long like that, I'm afraid.
 
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twckittenmom

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I think once you've had the intact male fixed the problem will get a lot better. You can use a good enzyme cleaner to clean up with, that will get rid of the smell and mean the cats don't feel they have to mark where the first cat did.

Spaying with cats is a bit like graffiti, if it's a blank wall it gets left alone but once the first cat has sprayed "Kitty was here" the next cat feels they should spray too.

Are your outdoor condos in an enclosure? There's nothing wrong with letting them have outdoor access if they are kept in an enclosure, but letting them roam is very dangerous. Cats don't live very long like that, I'm afraid.
that's the issue though he's not spraying on stuff that was sprayed. But more like clean laundry or freshly wiped down lower cabinets [emoji]128533[/emoji]
 
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twckittenmom

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I think my fixed cat is like claiming territory or something lol. Weird. But I have to keep all fresh washed cloths far away from him. I even use an enzyme remover in my wash routine before he did this so it's not like the cloths had a scent I couldn't smell. Ugh. Well I have Oliver an appointment. Hopefully It will fix the yowling. Or lesson it
 
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twckittenmom

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He is now yowling as if he is dying 24/7 I'm not quite sure how he hasn't lost his voice yet. I took him to vet for a check up and then to schedule the nuetering they upped the price so we will have to go back.but now he literally is screaming bloody murder making different yowls trying to do idk what with his voice. Sounds like he's dying until I check on him then he's all happy mewmewmew. This is becoming ridiculous. Idc that he's not fixed I know plenty of intact male cats in our neighborhood who do not walk around screaming like a female in heat. Please someone give me ideas. I have not been able to rest or sleep nor even think. I'm 31 weeks pregnant and if neutering doesn't fix this meowing before October I will be forced to put him down since humane Society want nothing to do with him [emoji]128557[/emoji][emoji]128557[/emoji][emoji]128557[/emoji] I love him so much but This screaming thing is getting out of hand. any ideas?
 
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twckittenmom

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P.s we have been locking him.in bout large laundry room at night with food and water and a box. During the day he gets attention in the afternoon but most of the day I'm busy and we play the ignore the screaming cat until he is calm and quiet game(basically awarding his quiet calm demeanor) but I have been doing this for months. And it's defiantly getting worse. He use to sleep in my bedroom until he started spraying. Which was about 3 months ago. He now literally sprays everything and luckily the living room being it's where I use to keep foster kennels and cages is furniture free and tile so I can wipe down and clean up after him quite easily. He has toys he has a cat condo. He has things to play with and windows to look out. But all he wants is me. But being 31 weeks I can't bend down to play with him as often and I definitely am not letting him I to any of the other room until we have his spraying in order. But OMG the meowing. It's not even meowing. It's like satanic demon possessed cat noises. I've had females in heat make less noise. Atleast they get bored and sleep. he can keep up the screaming for hours straight. I've owned many cats and even my oldest who was intact(botched surgery left him intact) never yowls or sprays. He has fathers a litter or two though before I realized it was him getting my outside females I was catching pregnant. So I'm not understanding at all this screaming nonsense. [emoji]128557[/emoji]
 

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What did the vet say about his yowling?

Some cats are just more vocal than others. I was a bit late getting one of my boys, Button Moon, neutered and overnight he turned from this sweet little fluff ball to a yowling, spraying demon. He calmed down a lot after he'd been fixed. Within a week he was back to his normal self.

Are all of your outdoor girls fixed now? If he can hear or smell a female in heat he is probably calling to them. I understand why you're keeping him confined to one room, but he is probably yowling out of frustration too.

When is he having surgery?
 

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He is now yowling as if he is dying 24/7 I'm not quite sure how he hasn't lost his voice yet. I took him to vet for a check up and then to schedule the nuetering they upped the price so we will have to go back.but now he literally is screaming bloody murder making different yowls trying to do idk what with his voice. Sounds like he's dying until I check on him then he's all happy mewmewmew. This is becoming ridiculous. Idc that he's not fixed I know plenty of intact male cats in our neighborhood who do not walk around screaming like a female in heat. Please someone give me ideas. I have not been able to rest or sleep nor even think. I'm 31 weeks pregnant and if neutering doesn't fix this meowing before October I will be forced to put him down since humane Society want nothing to do with him [emoji]128557[/emoji][emoji]128557[/emoji][emoji]128557[/emoji] I love him so much but This screaming thing is getting out of hand. any ideas?
please don't kill the cat if he keeps yowling - can't you find a rescue somewhere to take him?  chances are good someone here will know an organization to help. 

btw, you say he's happy once he's with you, so you know what he wants - he wants to hang out with you.  every cat is different, and sounds like me may be a clinger.  it doesn't sound like you guys are a good fit, but if you want him to stop yowling, you could get a water pistol and spray him with water when he starts again. 
 

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Does he have cat friends? Does he have plenty of toys and enrichment? Can he see cats outside but not get to them?

I have a shouter and the first time he saw the local strays outside from his window perch he lost his little kitty mind.
 

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If there is a female cat in heat somewhere outside, he is smelling her and reacting. In my experience, Tom cats are much noisier than females when a female is in heat. You might consider calling around several vet clinics and shelters to see about getting a less expensive rate for the neuter. Is there an Animal Friends nearby? They have low cost neuters. Regarding getting sleep at night with the meowing-- Mack's ear plugs work like a charm. They're wax. I usually divide one piece into two and they fit snugly in the ear and you can't hear ANYTHING. Not a permanent solution but it should help until he's neutered.
 

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DEAF CAT HOWL is familiar to many of  us, I wonder if blind cats may do that too?  Howling can also be a sign of developing cognitive dysfunction (senility) and the spraying could be part as well.  Generally this happens in old age but can sadly start young the rare time.  When my old girl began to howl from going deaf and senile it was worst at night.  I found a drop of Rescue Remedy on her head seemed to calm her down and ease the howling so we could all sleep.  The RR might be worth a try for your boy no matter the cause.

Sometimes dogs are "debarked" with their vocal cords cut.  This would be a severe remedy, if it can be done at all for a cat, but in my mind preferable to death.  Last resort and it might be hard to find a Vet who would do it, if it can be done.  It might also lead to other behavioural issues.
 

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T twckittenmom

Oliver's yowling must be very frustrating. I agree that neutering will calm him down. If it does not, rehoming is a better solution for a 2-year-old cat than putting him down.

I see that you are in Hollywood, Florida. I've researched some clinic options for you.

http://www.catsexclusive.org/spayneuter.php

Cats Exclusive offers a $60 neuter and a $10 rabies vaccine.

http://www.strayaid.org/index.shtml#dayslocations

Stray Aid offers neutering for $25. You must show proof of a rabies vaccine. If not, they give a 3-year one for $15.

http://humanebroward.com/spay-neuter/

The BrowardCounty Humane Society offers a $30 neuter. It can take up to 10 days to receive a call back from them.

Check out these links and see about an appointment. I hope this helps! [emoji]128522[/emoji]
 
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twckittenmom

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T twckittenmom

Oliver's yowling must be very frustrating. I agree that neutering will calm him down. If it does not, rehoming is a better solution for a 2-year-old cat than putting him down.

I see that you are in Hollywood, Florida. I've researched some clinic options for you.

http://www.catsexclusive.org/spayneuter.php

Cats Exclusive offers a $60 neuter and a $10 rabies vaccine.

http://www.strayaid.org/index.shtml#dayslocations

Stray Aid offers neutering for $25. You must show proof of a rabies vaccine. If not, they give a 3-year one for $15.

http://humanebroward.com/spay-neuter/

The BrowardCounty Humane Society offers a $30 neuter. It can take up to 10 days to receive a call back from them.

Check out these links and see about an appointment. I hope this helps! [emoji]128522[/emoji]
Oh I have moved since then I'm in Jacksonville Florida. The humane Society said they want a full medical record all his shots updated and him neutered and $100 donation fee and rehoming cats in this area is very difficult we have a cats used for training hunting dogs issues. And hunting season is coming up.....
 
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