by Nomi Berger
 
Curious about caterwauling or are you already familiar with the eerie sound emanating from your favorite furry friend?
 
For those who have never heard it, caterwauling is a high-pitched, melodic and drawn-out “YOWL” that, once experienced, is seldom forgotten. Consider then, the paws-ible reasons behind it and how you can help remedy the situation.
 
1. Cats caterwaul when they’re in pain: Famous for hiding their pain, felines who caterwaul, seemingly for no apparent reason, are sending you a clear message -- of distress. This merits an immediate visit to your vet to either uncover or rule out a possible medical reason behind it. Remember too that cats of all ages can develop kidney disease and an overactive thyroid -- both potential reasons for overly excessive vocalizations, including caterwauling.
 
2. Cats caterwaul to signal their need to breed. Cats who are neither spayed nor neutered are notorious for their caterwauling. Intact females in heat will caterwaul to attract a male while intact males will caterwaul when they know a female is in heat. The best, most responsible way to prevent this and, at the same time, assist in controlling the problem of cat overpopulation is by always spaying and neutering your pets.
 
3. Cats caterwaul to alert their owners to outside activities. Curious about everything they see, cats “sound the alarm” whenever they spot something either intriguing or disturbing outside a window. From birds and squirrels to mail carriers and fast food deliveries, their greatest concern is the sight of another cat perched on what they consider their territory. The easiest way to eliminate the source of your cat’s agitation is by closing the offending window, blind or curtain to restrict her view of the “interloper,” and provide her with an alternative form of entertainment (a window with an obstructed view works just as well).
 
4. Cats caterwaul when they feel vulnerable or insecure. Some cats feel especially anxious without the reassuring presence of their owners – whether they leave the house or simply leave the room. Feeling abandoned, these cats will express their anxiety by caterwauling. This insecurity may also manifest itself when visitors come to call or when their family moves. If your cat is susceptible to such anxiety, make certain to anticipate her reaction ahead of time and reassure her that she is safe and sound. Shower her with extra affection, cuddles and pets, and take her to bed with you at night as proof that you haven’t left her alone.
 
5. Cats caterwaul when they’re disoriented. The older cats get, the more prone they are to changes in their cognitive functioning. According to the ASPCA, feline cognitive dysfunction (FCD) or cat dementia, affects over 55 percent of cats between the ages of 11 and 15, and over 80 percent of cats between the ages of 16 and 20. Since caterwauling can be one of the many symptoms associated with FCD, it’s vital for you, as a cat owner, to familiarize yourself with all of the symptoms in your senior cat so that you can both cope with and comfort the kitty you cherish.
 
Once again, as a concerned pet parent, you should share those concerns with your vet. They may recommend pheromone or drug therapy (the use of feline pheromone sprays or diffusers in areas where your cat spends most of her time may reduce her anxiety), while anti-anxiety medication may help reduce your cat’s excessive vocalizations. You can also seek the advice of a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist or a veterinary behaviorist.
 

by Nomi Berger
 
Is your favorite feline continually meowing for more food, paw-lease?
 
If so, the cause may be either physical or psychological. Consider then, the following five reasons for this behavior:
 
1. Your cat may have roundworms. Often times, an always-hungry cat may be infested with roundworms that are “leeching” all of the nutrition from her food long before she eats it. Strangely enough, infected cats may look fat since these parasites have the unfortunate effect of making their bodies swell. And because roundworms are contagious to people, if you suspect your cat is infected, collect a sample of her feces and take it to your vet for testing.
 
2. Your cat may have hyperthyroidism or diabetes. Both diseases cause a considerable increase in an affected cat’s appetite. Hyperthyroidism makes her ravenous because her metabolism is burning far too many calories. Diabetes, on the other hand, makes her overly hungry because her body is unable to convert sugar into energy. In both instances, her body is being deprived of the benefits that only proper nutrition can provide. If your cat is eating constantly and not only losing weight but also drinking an excessive amount of water, have her seen by your vet as quickly as possible.
 
3. Your cat may be bored or lonely. Like people, some cats will overeat out of boredom or loneliness. To keep your cat from getting bored, provide her with more stimulation and stop allowing her to graze and munch on kibble all day. Instead, supply her with intellectually stimulating toys and place her kibble inside puzzle toys or in an automatic feeder that provides her access to a small amount of food at pre-set times throughout the day. The toys will keep her happily engaged and amused while the puzzle toys, particularly, will encourage her to “work” for her food, helping her burn off those unwanted calories. But if loneliness, not boredom, is the problem, consider adopting another – compatible -- kitty to be her precious playmate and constant companion.
 
4. Your cat may be depressed or grieving. Just as with people, eating excessively is a familiar form of self-soothing behavior for sad cats with a serious case of the kitty cat blues. If your cat shows little interest in the world around her, try luring her out of her kitty cat shell by engaging her in gentle, interactive play. As an added incentive, give her what cat behaviorists refer to as “love blinks.” Slowly close your eyes, keep them closed for a second, and then slowly open them again while thinking of those three magical words: “I love you.”
 
5. Your cat may be failing to have her nutritional needs met. Poor-quality cat food is equivalent to fast foods and starchy foods consumed all too often and in excessive quantities by people. Any cat deprived of the nutrients her body needs will attempt unsuccessfully to make up for it by simply eating and eating. Remedy the situation by speaking with your vet about the appropriate type and amount of food best suited to satisfy the needs of your overly hungry cat.