Talkative cat

[vallaw]

My 15-year old cat Tiki has recently become very talkative and attention seeking. She yowls at me all the time, although she doesn't seem to need anything - it's not for food, or to go out, it just seems to be for the sake of it. Her elder companion Felix (my avatar) had to be put to sleep in April - do you think she misses him? They never seemed to be close - just tolerated each other - but she had been with him from a few weeks old. She is the archetypal "scaredy cat" - runs away when people call, flees from next door's cat - but is very stubborn and persistent in demanding attention from me. Yet she's not a comfortable cat, won't sit on my knee and be stroked. Any advice?

[daisya]

Aww sorry to hear about Felix, I'm sure Tiki misses him even though you didn't think they were close, it was another of her kind even if they didn't get on. Another reason cats will make a lot of noise is if they have pain, so do you think she has something wrong with her? Animals do grieve it's well known so if she isn't in pain then it really could be that and she's latched on to you more because she misses Felix.

[vallaw]

She's definitely not in pain - in fact she's extremely fit. Maybe it is grief.

[daisya]

Vallaw, yes I think you're right, they really do miss their companions even if not strictly liking one another, it's the fact that the other animal was there all the time and like humans we grow used to familiarity and miss things when they are taken away. I feel you should make more fuss of her if she will let you, make sure she knows you realise what's happening and eventually she may come round, worth giving it a go - nothing to lose is there.

[mccfluff]

awww she probably does miss him, murp got more chatty when paddy dissapeared (i did not name them) she never shuts up now

[wolf63]

It is possible that Tiki was being bullied/dominated by Felix in a subtle way that us humans would be unable to notice. Now that he is gone she is taking advantage of the fact that she is top cat of the house. My two are brother and sister and their is a subtle hierarchy going on - after a battle things sometimes change.

Tiki is an older lady and there is certain illnesses that she may be prone to that would change her personality and maybe make her more talkative. Thyroid problems, liver problems and kidney problems are the main suspects. It would be worth taking her to the vet to see if there is a physical problem that could be causing her to be chatty.

At 15 there is also the chance that she might be senile and confused - the vet might be able to help with that too.

Good luck to Tiki

[vallaw]

I think you're probably right about the hierarchy, Wolf. Also possibly the senility.

[langara]

It seems to be something older cats do, mine is 14 and started about a year ago, my nieces cat is 16 and does it constantly. It gets on my hubby's nerves but there's nothing we can do about it.

[islasmum]

Our little cat seems to be getting mpre chatty recently - she's about 14, noone knows her real age - what's funny is that she could be doing the voice-over for "Simon's Cat"! she has exactly the same tone "Miaow! when she wants something. Incidentally Simon's Cat is brilliant, it's on YouTube if anyone hasn't seen them.

[boxtops]

I agree with wolf, I have seen cat dynamics change so much over the years, as cats come and go - we don't realise how much one cat can be overshadowed by another one without our noticing.
Also vallaw - she might be a bit deaf at 15, she might not realise she's vocalising so much. I suspect though, she's just talking to you.

[vallaw]

It is definitely directed at me - she is having a conversation from her point of view. Well I suppose I'll just have to learn catspeak!

[GoATV]

I think Boxtops has hit the nail on the head with your cat going slightly deaf, coupled with the fact that she is now alone (cat wise).

My old boy died last year at the ripe old age of 21 (after being told he wouldn't live past 5 following a car accident at 2!), he went deaf in his latter years and would come in through his cat flap and yell the house down - day or night! We took a long time to realise it was deafness.

Tiki is now the only cat in the house and is making her presence known, afterall, she probably doesn't know where Felix has gone and she is telling you she is still around and not going anywhere. Just talk back to her and let her know you are aware she is there.

My old boy wasn't particularly a knee sitter but just loved to be with us and talk to us - loudly!!!

[wolf63]

Frankie (currently in my avatar) is quite chatty and can be quite argumentative too. If he doesn't get his way in something he follows me around the house hurling abuse - doesn't sound very polite.

His sister Merlin sometimes meows but she usually 'eeks' and 'wowowows'.

They were 6 in June so it isn't senility - in Merlin's case it could be because she is stupid.

[SpikeyBush]

I used to hold regular conversations with James, me talking absolute crap with him miaowing in apparent response. I now talk to the flowers on his grave and cherish the memories of our chats.

[ladybirder]

It comes with old age. Any decent website about cats will tell you the same.