Yowling

I've seen a few threads similar to my problem, but no answers. I have a 16 year old calico. Within the past two years she started meowing loudly after using the litter box. I took her to the vet and nothing was found wrong with her.
In the past 6 months she has started yowling, a deep guttural, top of her lungs scream, usually in the middle of the night. We've taken her to the vet since she started doing this, and she was found to be perfectly healthy. We haven't had a full night's sleep in 6 months and I'm at my wit's end. I'm ready to get rid of her, or try a dog bark collar. You can't imagine how sleep-deprived we are.

HELP!

Having ferals and some that are indoor outdoor, I am familiar with this problem. One thing I have learned is that there is always a reason for the yowling. Either the cat has become seperated from us, or his friends, and he wants company or attention. If you just have a solo cat, you might consider getting another one for company. Perhaps something has changed that is upsetting the cat. When Hissler began to yowl, it was because his littermate had died and he was looking for her. Have you moved recently? Added someone to your household? Have another pet that is not a cat?

If the cat sleeps separate from you- try putting in a nightlight for security. But don't respond to the yowling by feeding the cat, and if you have to (and I have had to) invest in a good set of earplugs.Once the cat realizes his calls go unanswered, he will stop.It just takes time and patience. Today, out of 25 cats, I have two yowlers. One yowls constantly if it has rained, she hates to get her feet wet- and will only stop yowling if we pick her up and carry her over the puddles in the back yard. The other yowler does his vocalization when I am taking a shower. He sings to me sitting perched on top of the rail the shower rod hangs over...LOL None of them yowl at nightime anymore, for which I am very thankful and very rested.

Hi Cecilia and welcome to the forums,

You need to get her to the vet for another check-up. At 16 years of age she could be developing any kind of things. Also, does she have food and water available throughout the night?

Don't be quick to give up on her! She's been with you for so long! If you "get rid" of her you're practically putting her to death at this age. I'm sure you didn't really mean that.

If the vet doesn't find anything, ask him or her about a nearby cat therapist who might be able to help. At worst, you may need to work out a drug therapy along with the therapist and the vet.

Thank you for the replies to my problem. For the record, we have not moved, she always has water at night. Having been quite overweight in the past, she is on a limited diet and she usually, but not always, finishes her dinner before bed time.

Within the past year we tried putting a litter box in our bathroom (upstairs) so she wouldn't have to go down stairs (old arthritic bones & all), but then she started yowling in our room. A small, condo sized bedroom. So, we started making her sleep in her bed on the stair landing (where she sleeps all day). Then I figured maybe she felt like she had been abandoned, so we eliminated the litter box in our bathroom, and had her sleep with us again. Still, ear-piercing screams in the middle of the night, several times at night.

Now it seems like she starts screaming the minute she wakes up from a nap, and at any other time of day.

I've made an appointment for the vet, maybe they can find something.

I was going to say, you should get her checked up. Usually if theres no change or if theres nothing she is wanting to do, theres a medical reason. It could be her way of letting you know since she cant talk to you. Please let us know what the vet sais and does.

Well, we visited the vet today. Abbey is going blind! You could have knocked me over with a feather! It's difficult to tell, because animals adjust so well, but when I consider things closely, the signs are there. It's been developing over time, nothing sudden, the vet says. And she can probably see dark & light shapes. So, we learn to accomodate her more, talk to her more, and rely more on sound than sight. It makes me sad, but at least we know what it is, and she's in excellent health otherwisw. The vet suggested a putting little radio next to her bed to soothe her. We'll see what happens, hopefully as we talk to her more, she'll scream less.

Keep your fingers crossed, I'll let you know what happens.

I am so glad you have a reason now. It would be so much easier if they could just speak words. I am sure going blind has not been fun for her. Hopefully with all the plans you have for her, she will adjust and not be so scared. Yes, please do keep us posted.

Poor little Abbey. She did have a good reason after all! It must gave been scary for her to be left alone in total darkness (she could probably see nothing during the night). Did the vet tell you why she was going blind?

Poor Abbey!

I was going to suggest a radio with classical music. That helps my cats when they're stressed. A night light is also good. You knocked me over when you said she was going blind. Did the vet check her for diabetes? Blindness is one of the symptoms. I can't imagine what she was going through. Poor thing must've been terrified!

I hope all is well.

I don't think her blindness is due to diabetes, and the vet didn't even mention that. I've been very paranoid about diabetes. Abbey is checked regularly, and we've had her on a diet to control her weight. I know obesity helps contribute to diabetes in older cats

We are working things out. We pick her up and bring her to bed with us, and a couple of nights have been like old times. I don't know if she woke up in her bed after we went to bed and then screamed to find us. I guess we'll never know, but she has been quieter.

The vet thinks she can still see shapes, and she does follow my hand, but there has to be a certain amount of light. She tracks better when things are backlit so that there is a fair amount of contrast.

Keep your fingers crossed, friends!

I am sure things will work out just fine. She will get adjusted to her new way of life. This may just be a little bump in the road.