Crying Cat

[hollytree]

Can anyone please tell me why my cat is crying such a lot? She is 16 years old and rarely goes out these days. She is very thin and the vet says her liver is shrinking. She is eating quite well and still plays on the odd occasion but quite often goes upstairs and cries very loudly and she is also crying quite frequently during the night. I'm wondering if it is just a sign of old age or could there be some other reason? hollytree.

[friedgreentomato]

Could be dementia, one of my old girls did this they found out she was going blind and she did it when she got confused.

[ladybirder]

Yes it is one sign of old age. Cats are known to get more vocal the older they get. They sound so pitiful don't they? If your vet is happy with her otherwise then don't worry. Does she still purr when you stroke her holly?

[Nibble]

She might be deaf, hollytree - and not know that she is making more noise than usual. As your vet about this, too.

[hollytree]

Thank you for the answers to my question as to why my cat cries. Yes, she still purrs when I stroke her, and I'm pretty sure she isn't going blind for she pounces on her toys and doesn't seem to have any difficulty seeing them. It is quite distressing though to hear her. hollytree

[mightymouse]

I agree with Nibble, she is probably deaf.

[ladybirder]

Holly my cat is now in her 20th year. She also is very thin, 2.9kg - 3kg but as long as she stays stable at that weight the vet isn't worried about her. Her liver is packing in and she suffered Hyperthyroidism. Of course at her age her hearing and sight will be declining but you are lucky she still purrs. Mine stopped about 2 years ago and I hate that she doesn't do it anymore. Read this article holly, it might help you understand what is happening to her.
http://www.sheppertonvet.com/caring-for-old-cats/

[corylus]

We had an elderly cat like this, he was eventually totally deaf and used to yowl at night because he was disorientated I think because he couldn't hear us but when he could see us he was ok. Just bear with her.

[Clanad]

If your cat is is fairly good health, she may be going into heat (esterus). Cats don't go through menopause, but the cycle is likely to be less often. Additionally to this suspicion is this is one of the two times per year cats most often go into their cycle.

All of this is out the window, so to speak, if she's been neutered...

[Prudie]

Has the vet checked her for overactive thyroid? My old cat did this until other complications showed up hyperthyroidism. She's on tablets now which have stopped the yowling although she is now much more blobby and sleeps a lot.

[pastafreak]

I agree about the possible deafness.
I have a naturally deaf cat-he is very vocal...and howls like a banshee quite often-especially in the dark. I was warned that he would be noisier than a hearing cat.

[jakep]

One of ours now does this. He is 15 and on meds for kidney problems. He cries for food ALL the time (thyroid normal). I think he has dementia and is forgetting he has eaten. He still purrs though and right now is very content by radiator. If vet is not unduly concerned about any further medical problems I would try and not worry. easier said than done I know.

[wildwood]

Maybe she is in pain?????

[Answerprancer]

I agree with what others have said here, deafness.
The poor old dear can't hear herself speak, it happened to our family cat ("Smudge") a few years before she snuffed it at the age of 21!

[Answerprancer]

Keep her on a low protein diet and give her lots of attention.

[Lynney12]

Agree with Prudie my cat had a thyroid problem and used to yow, I took him to the vet and he was put on tabs that sorted the yowing out. Sadly he died in August but he had a stroke and died shortly after.