new behavioral problem
Question:
That’s an idea – I’ll ask my students next week which they’d prefer – detention or squirting. Vanessa
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Squirting isn’t on par with hitting, however I think ‘perfectly fine’ > is an overstatement > If you think it qualifies as a *teaching* method perhaps it should > be suggested to the public school system to help bring up those > reading scores. > Eileen
Response:
hehehehe :) keep us posted on the improvement in their grades <g> – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> That’s an idea – I’ll ask my students next week which they’d prefer – > detention or squirting. > Vanessa > Squirting isn’t on par with hitting, however I think ‘perfectly fine’ > is an overstatement > If you think it qualifies as a *teaching* method perhaps it should > be suggested to the public school system to help bring up those > reading scores. > Eileen
Response:
Wholeheartedly agree! I was thinking the exact same thing. I am home alone all day with our cats and there is a difference between just being here and paying some attention by playing with them. Lisa
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > While you write that he gets a lot of attention when you are > home, I wonder whether he gets a lot of "play-time? And whether > in addition, playing with him, exercising him via string, ball > chasing, etc. and tiring him out at night before bedtime might > help. I also wonder whether something has made him insecure, so > that he needs more reassurance? Is *his* environment interesting > and stimulating? Does he have a window perch where it’s > interesting to look out even at night? Perhaps a tunnel to run > into and hide? Does he have an area he can climb on, play in/on > and sleep – a vertical kitty condo or similar area which is fun > for him? Reprimanding him when he needs attention is ineffective > and will simply make him fear you which you’ve already > discovered. If he is feeling insecure, it will just making > matters worse. He might just need a lot more stimulation, not > just attention. > Hope some of the above helps, > M.
Response:
Cats who are hyperthyroid often vocalize at night. And it makes them more active. Did the vet examination include bloodwork? Krazee4Katz and the house of 14 katz Please spay and neuter all companion animals. >^.^< Don’t declaw.
Response:
> Squirting with water is a perfectly fine way to teach a cat appropriate > behavior. And it *is* necessary and desirable to teach a cat what’s > appropriate and what’s not; I don’t believe that it does owner *or* cat any > good for a cat to be spoiled and its every whim catered to. (Just most of > its whims 
Squirting isn’t on par with hitting, however I think ‘perfectly fine’ is an overstatement. When used judiciously and not out of anger it is simply less destructive than many other methods of discipline people use. However cat behaviorists are turning away from it more and more; eventually it may very possibly be flat out rejected by those who study cat behavior and behavior modification. It is still a *punishment* rather than training or teaching, and it is still something directly done by the owner (vs. something like a can of pennies tipping over, which, to the cat, is disconnected from the owner and is less likely to harm the owner/cat bond). If you think it qualifies as a *teaching* method perhaps it should be suggested to the public school system to help bring up those reading scores. Eileen
Response:
Hi, While you write that he gets a lot of attention when you are home, I wonder whether he gets a lot of "play-time? And whether in addition, playing with him, exercising him via string, ball chasing, etc. and tiring him out at night before bedtime might help. I also wonder whether something has made him insecure, so that he needs more reassurance? Is *his* environment interesting and stimulating? Does he have a window perch where it’s interesting to look out even at night? Perhaps a tunnel to run into and hide? Does he have an area he can climb on, play in/on and sleep – a vertical kitty condo or similar area which is fun for him? Reprimanding him when he needs attention is ineffective and will simply make him fear you which you’ve already discovered. If he is feeling insecure, it will just making matters worse. He might just need a lot more stimulation, not just attention. Hope some of the above helps, M.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi all, > Let me start by saying that Tigger has already been to the vet, and > has a clean bill of health. No changes to his environment, or > routine. We live in an apartment on the 19th floor, so there’s no > stress from other animals at the window or something like that. And > there are no other animals on our floor. Its business as usual. > The problem I am having with Tigger is that he has taken to aimless > roaming and meowing – mostly at night. He is extremely restless at > night over the last few weeks. Much more so than the usual bit of > night time playfulness and territorial roaming that you would expect > from a cat. Many many times each night, Tigger starts making > repeated *very loud* "crying" kind of meows. You know that lonely > sounding drawn-out kind of meow? When I go to investigate, he’s > fine – not in any physical distress, and usually just wants to play. > I’ve tried negative feedback with reprimands, and even a spray water > bottle. It simply doesn’t work – he’s back in the room in 5 minutes > doing this same thing, while we are trying to sleep. If I close the > door, he will scratch and claw at the carpet and door until the end > of time! When I let him back in, he jumps onto the bed and stands > there for a few minutes, as if to ensure that we are safe, then jumps > to the floor, and continues on with his meowing. I’ve tried ignoring > him – nothing seems to help. He knows that its a bad thing to make > noise late at night, because if he hears me getting out of bed while > he’s making this noise, he’ll run and hide from me. I can easily > call him out with some kind words, but then what? Its getting to the > point where he is seriously disrupting our sleep. > I work from home, so he gets tons of companionship all the time – > there’s no way he should be lonely. Another behavior change that > I’ve noticed is that he absolutely *must* be wherever I am – > bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, family room, computer room. He is 100% > cling-on!! Literally will not leave my side, and gets vocal > immediately if he cannot see me, like if I manage to sneak away to > another room or something. > My question is, is this common for a cat to have such a large change > in behavior? I’ve had Tigger for almost 5 years now, and all of a > sudden he’s being a total pain in the ass! Does anyone have any > suggestions? > Please help!! I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in weeks! LeeAnn > is talking about giving him away, but I don’t want to resort to that.
Response:
Did you leave him alone for a long period of time? This makes cats change behavior. I’d get a second cat to give him a companion. I had my first cat for 3 years and then got a second cat. It makes a big difference in my cats life now. He has a companion and they love each other. They are playmates and best friends. I just wish I got him a friend earlier on so whe wasn’t lonely for the first 3 years of his life. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hi all, >Let me start by saying that Tigger has already been to the vet, and >has a clean bill of health. No changes to his environment, or >routine. We live in an apartment on the 19th floor, so there’s no >stress from other animals at the window or something like that. And >there are no other animals on our floor. Its business as usual. >The problem I am having with Tigger is that he has taken to aimless >roaming and meowing – mostly at night. He is extremely restless at >night over the last few weeks. Much more so than the usual bit of >night time playfulness and territorial roaming that you would expect >from a cat. Many many times each night, Tigger starts making >repeated *very loud* "crying" kind of meows. You know that lonely >sounding drawn-out kind of meow? When I go to investigate, he’s >fine – not in any physical distress, and usually just wants to play. >I’ve tried negative feedback with reprimands, and even a spray water >bottle. It simply doesn’t work – he’s back in the room in 5 minutes >doing this same thing, while we are trying to sleep. If I close the >door, he will scratch and claw at the carpet and door until the end >of time! When I let him back in, he jumps onto the bed and stands >there for a few minutes, as if to ensure that we are safe, then jumps >to the floor, and continues on with his meowing. I’ve tried ignoring >him – nothing seems to help. He knows that its a bad thing to make >noise late at night, because if he hears me getting out of bed while >he’s making this noise, he’ll run and hide from me. I can easily >call him out with some kind words, but then what? Its getting to the >point where he is seriously disrupting our sleep. >I work from home, so he gets tons of companionship all the time – >there’s no way he should be lonely. Another behavior change that >I’ve noticed is that he absolutely *must* be wherever I am – >bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, family room, computer room. He is 100% >cling-on!! Literally will not leave my side, and gets vocal >immediately if he cannot see me, like if I manage to sneak away to >another room or something. > My question is, is this common for a cat to have such a large change >in behavior? I’ve had Tigger for almost 5 years now, and all of a >sudden he’s being a total pain in the ass! Does anyone have any >suggestions? >Please help!! I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in weeks! LeeAnn >is talking about giving him away, but I don’t want to resort to that.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi all, > Let me start by saying that Tigger has already been to the vet, and > has a clean bill of health. No changes to his environment, or > routine. We live in an apartment on the 19th floor, so there’s no > stress from other animals at the window or something like that. And > there are no other animals on our floor. Its business as usual. > The problem I am having with Tigger is that he has taken to aimless > roaming and meowing – mostly at night. He is extremely restless at > night over the last few weeks. Much more so than the usual bit of > night time playfulness and territorial roaming that you would expect > from a cat. Many many times each night, Tigger starts making > repeated *very loud* "crying" kind of meows. You know that lonely > sounding drawn-out kind of meow? When I go to investigate, he’s > fine – not in any physical distress, and usually just wants to play. > I’ve tried negative feedback with reprimands, and even a spray water > bottle. It simply doesn’t work – he’s back in the room in 5 minutes > doing this same thing, while we are trying to sleep. If I close the > door, he will scratch and claw at the carpet and door until the end > of time! When I let him back in, he jumps onto the bed and stands > there for a few minutes, as if to ensure that we are safe, then jumps > to the floor, and continues on with his meowing. I’ve tried ignoring > him – nothing seems to help. He knows that its a bad thing to make > noise late at night, because if he hears me getting out of bed while > he’s making this noise, he’ll run and hide from me. I can easily > call him out with some kind words, but then what? Its getting to the > point where he is seriously disrupting our sleep. > I work from home, so he gets tons of companionship all the time – > there’s no way he should be lonely. Another behavior change that > I’ve noticed is that he absolutely *must* be wherever I am – > bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, family room, computer room. He is 100% > cling-on!! Literally will not leave my side, and gets vocal > immediately if he cannot see me, like if I manage to sneak away to > another room or something. > My question is, is this common for a cat to have such a large change > in behavior? I’ve had Tigger for almost 5 years now, and all of a > sudden he’s being a total pain in the ass! Does anyone have any > suggestions? > Please help!! I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in weeks! LeeAnn > is talking about giving him away, but I don’t want to resort to that.
Is the cat neutered? Get him a companion, NOW. OB. — **** Odette Brown ** I love Cats ***** *** La Belle Province ** Quebec ** CANADA *** http://www.igs.net/~rathey/odette1.htm
Response:
>Your kitty is lonely. [snip] You probably >work during the day, and then you sleep all night. Then you are gone >again. I’d be lonely, too.
Try reading the post before you hit the "reply button." Tigger’s owner does not in fact work all day; as she says, >I work from home, so he gets tons of companionship all the time – >there’s no way he should be lonely. >And if you were feeling lonely, how would you >like the person you love squirting you in the face with water? I really >wish people would quit with the squirt bottle thing.
Squirting with water is a perfectly fine way to teach a cat appropriate behavior. And it *is* necessary and desirable to teach a cat what’s appropriate and what’s not; I don’t believe that it does owner *or* cat any good for a cat to be spoiled and its every whim catered to. (Just most of its whims When my cat feels lonely (usually when he’s been in another room for a few minutes, oh dear , an appropriate way for him to express desire for attention is to bring me a toy and drop it on my foot. An inappropriate way is to root around digging the dirt out of a plant pot. Sure, it’s probably the same impulse, but the first way gets him rewarded with playtime and the second way gets him a scolding and a timeout in the bathroom. If squirting your cat helps him to learn the rules of the house faster, then it’s a good technique. >If you want Tigger to feel better, get him a >companion. Things you might also try is leaving the TV on, a nature >channel would be best, all night long in another room.
Well, since he has his human companion all day, I’d hesitate to recommend introducing a feline companion right off the bat. The TV might be a good thing to try to see if has any effect. Question for the original poster: have your work or travel habits changed lately? Did you go off and leave Tigger for a few days, and now he’s insecure? Have you considered making one room of your house "Tigger’s bedroom" with litterbox, bed, bowls, and toys, and shutting him in there at night? (So that with that door and your bedroom door shut you won’t hear him crying) Right now you’re reinforcing his crying by giving him attention in the night — even if it’s negative attention. If you can’t hear him, it won’t wake you, and hopefully he’ll learn that his new game of waking up Mom won’t do him any good. Cheers, Holly
Response:
Your kitty is lonely. And if you were feeling lonely, how would you like the person you love squirting you in the face with water? I really wish people would quit with the squirt bottle thing. As you indicated, it doesn’t work. If you want Tigger to feel better, get him a companion. Things you might also try is leaving the TV on, a nature channel would be best, all night long in another room. You probably work during the day, and then you sleep all night. Then you are gone again. I’d be lonely, too.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi all, >Let me start by saying that Tigger has already been to the vet, and >has a clean bill of health. No changes to his environment, or >routine. We live in an apartment on the 19th floor, so there’s no >stress from other animals at the window or something like that. And >there are no other animals on our floor. Its business as usual. >The problem I am having with Tigger is that he has taken to aimless >roaming and meowing – mostly at night. He is extremely restless at >night over the last few weeks. Much more so than the usual bit of >night time playfulness and territorial roaming that you would expect >from a cat. Many many times each night, Tigger starts making >repeated *very loud* "crying" kind of meows. You know that lonely >sounding drawn-out kind of meow? When I go to investigate, he’s >fine – not in any physical distress, and usually just wants to play. >I’ve tried negative feedback with reprimands, and even a spray water >bottle. It simply doesn’t work – he’s back in the room in 5 minutes >doing this same thing, while we are trying to sleep. If I close the >door, he will scratch and claw at the carpet and door until the end >of time! When I let him back in, he jumps onto the bed and stands >there for a few minutes, as if to ensure that we are safe, then jumps >to the floor, and continues on with his meowing. I’ve tried ignoring >him – nothing seems to help. He knows that its a bad thing to make >noise late at night, because if he hears me getting out of bed while >he’s making this noise, he’ll run and hide from me. I can easily >call him out with some kind words, but then what? Its getting to the >point where he is seriously disrupting our sleep. >I work from home, so he gets tons of companionship all the time – >there’s no way he should be lonely. Another behavior change that >I’ve noticed is that he absolutely *must* be wherever I am – >bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, family room, computer room. He is 100% >cling-on!! Literally will not leave my side, and gets vocal >immediately if he cannot see me, like if I manage to sneak away to >another room or something. > My question is, is this common for a cat to have such a large change >in behavior? I’ve had Tigger for almost 5 years now, and all of a >sudden he’s being a total pain in the ass! Does anyone have any >suggestions? >Please help!! I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in weeks! LeeAnn >is talking about giving him away, but I don’t want to resort to that.
Response:
Is Tigger fixed? If not, then this could be the cause. We have a cat who will sometimes call out at night (spayed male), I guess it’s similar to what you cat is doing. He’ll "mrrrrrooouuwwww" like he’s crying, over and over and over. Usually, if one of us goes to him, pets him, and brings him to the bed, he’ll stop crying and will sleep with us. Other than that, I’m afraid I can’t give you any other information. I hope you find a solution that is acceptable to both you and Tigger! :) -Valerie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->The problem I am having with Tigger is that he has taken to aimless >roaming and meowing – mostly at night. He is extremely restless at >night over the last few weeks. Much more so than the usual bit of >night time playfulness and territorial roaming that you would expect >from a cat. Many many times each night, Tigger starts making >repeated *very loud* "crying" kind of meows. You know that lonely >sounding drawn-out kind of meow?
Response:
Hi all, Let me start by saying that Tigger has already been to the vet, and has a clean bill of health. No changes to his environment, or routine. We live in an apartment on the 19th floor, so there’s no stress from other animals at the window or something like that. And there are no other animals on our floor. Its business as usual. The problem I am having with Tigger is that he has taken to aimless roaming and meowing – mostly at night. He is extremely restless at night over the last few weeks. Much more so than the usual bit of night time playfulness and territorial roaming that you would expect from a cat. Many many times each night, Tigger starts making repeated *very loud* "crying" kind of meows. You know that lonely sounding drawn-out kind of meow? When I go to investigate, he’s fine – not in any physical distress, and usually just wants to play. I’ve tried negative feedback with reprimands, and even a spray water bottle. It simply doesn’t work – he’s back in the room in 5 minutes doing this same thing, while we are trying to sleep. If I close the door, he will scratch and claw at the carpet and door until the end of time! When I let him back in, he jumps onto the bed and stands there for a few minutes, as if to ensure that we are safe, then jumps to the floor, and continues on with his meowing. I’ve tried ignoring him – nothing seems to help. He knows that its a bad thing to make noise late at night, because if he hears me getting out of bed while he’s making this noise, he’ll run and hide from me. I can easily call him out with some kind words, but then what? Its getting to the point where he is seriously disrupting our sleep. I work from home, so he gets tons of companionship all the time – there’s no way he should be lonely. Another behavior change that I’ve noticed is that he absolutely *must* be wherever I am – bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, family room, computer room. He is 100% cling-on!! Literally will not leave my side, and gets vocal immediately if he cannot see me, like if I manage to sneak away to another room or something. My question is, is this common for a cat to have such a large change in behavior? I’ve had Tigger for almost 5 years now, and all of a sudden he’s being a total pain in the ass! Does anyone have any suggestions? Please help!! I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in weeks! LeeAnn is talking about giving him away, but I don’t want to resort to that.
Response:
That’s an idea – I’ll ask my students next week which they’d prefer – detention or squirting. Vanessa
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Squirting isn’t on par with hitting, however I think ‘perfectly fine’ > is an overstatement > If you think it qualifies as a *teaching* method perhaps it should > be suggested to the public school system to help bring up those > reading scores. > Eileen
Response:
hehehehe :) keep us posted on the improvement in their grades <g> – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> That’s an idea – I’ll ask my students next week which they’d prefer – > detention or squirting. > Vanessa > Squirting isn’t on par with hitting, however I think ‘perfectly fine’ > is an overstatement > If you think it qualifies as a *teaching* method perhaps it should > be suggested to the public school system to help bring up those > reading scores. > Eileen
Response:
Wholeheartedly agree! I was thinking the exact same thing. I am home alone all day with our cats and there is a difference between just being here and paying some attention by playing with them. Lisa
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > While you write that he gets a lot of attention when you are > home, I wonder whether he gets a lot of "play-time? And whether > in addition, playing with him, exercising him via string, ball > chasing, etc. and tiring him out at night before bedtime might > help. I also wonder whether something has made him insecure, so > that he needs more reassurance? Is *his* environment interesting > and stimulating? Does he have a window perch where it’s > interesting to look out even at night? Perhaps a tunnel to run > into and hide? Does he have an area he can climb on, play in/on > and sleep – a vertical kitty condo or similar area which is fun > for him? Reprimanding him when he needs attention is ineffective > and will simply make him fear you which you’ve already > discovered. If he is feeling insecure, it will just making > matters worse. He might just need a lot more stimulation, not > just attention. > Hope some of the above helps, > M.
Response:
Cats who are hyperthyroid often vocalize at night. And it makes them more active. Did the vet examination include bloodwork? Krazee4Katz and the house of 14 katz Please spay and neuter all companion animals. >^.^< Don’t declaw.
Response:
> Squirting with water is a perfectly fine way to teach a cat appropriate > behavior. And it *is* necessary and desirable to teach a cat what’s > appropriate and what’s not; I don’t believe that it does owner *or* cat any > good for a cat to be spoiled and its every whim catered to. (Just most of > its whims
Squirting isn’t on par with hitting, however I think ‘perfectly fine’ is an overstatement. When used judiciously and not out of anger it is simply less destructive than many other methods of discipline people use. However cat behaviorists are turning away from it more and more; eventually it may very possibly be flat out rejected by those who study cat behavior and behavior modification. It is still a *punishment* rather than training or teaching, and it is still something directly done by the owner (vs. something like a can of pennies tipping over, which, to the cat, is disconnected from the owner and is less likely to harm the owner/cat bond). If you think it qualifies as a *teaching* method perhaps it should be suggested to the public school system to help bring up those reading scores. Eileen
Response:
Hi, While you write that he gets a lot of attention when you are home, I wonder whether he gets a lot of "play-time? And whether in addition, playing with him, exercising him via string, ball chasing, etc. and tiring him out at night before bedtime might help. I also wonder whether something has made him insecure, so that he needs more reassurance? Is *his* environment interesting and stimulating? Does he have a window perch where it’s interesting to look out even at night? Perhaps a tunnel to run into and hide? Does he have an area he can climb on, play in/on and sleep – a vertical kitty condo or similar area which is fun for him? Reprimanding him when he needs attention is ineffective and will simply make him fear you which you’ve already discovered. If he is feeling insecure, it will just making matters worse. He might just need a lot more stimulation, not just attention. Hope some of the above helps, M.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi all, > Let me start by saying that Tigger has already been to the vet, and > has a clean bill of health. No changes to his environment, or > routine. We live in an apartment on the 19th floor, so there’s no > stress from other animals at the window or something like that. And > there are no other animals on our floor. Its business as usual. > The problem I am having with Tigger is that he has taken to aimless > roaming and meowing – mostly at night. He is extremely restless at > night over the last few weeks. Much more so than the usual bit of > night time playfulness and territorial roaming that you would expect > from a cat. Many many times each night, Tigger starts making > repeated *very loud* "crying" kind of meows. You know that lonely > sounding drawn-out kind of meow? When I go to investigate, he’s > fine – not in any physical distress, and usually just wants to play. > I’ve tried negative feedback with reprimands, and even a spray water > bottle. It simply doesn’t work – he’s back in the room in 5 minutes > doing this same thing, while we are trying to sleep. If I close the > door, he will scratch and claw at the carpet and door until the end > of time! When I let him back in, he jumps onto the bed and stands > there for a few minutes, as if to ensure that we are safe, then jumps > to the floor, and continues on with his meowing. I’ve tried ignoring > him – nothing seems to help. He knows that its a bad thing to make > noise late at night, because if he hears me getting out of bed while > he’s making this noise, he’ll run and hide from me. I can easily > call him out with some kind words, but then what? Its getting to the > point where he is seriously disrupting our sleep. > I work from home, so he gets tons of companionship all the time – > there’s no way he should be lonely. Another behavior change that > I’ve noticed is that he absolutely *must* be wherever I am – > bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, family room, computer room. He is 100% > cling-on!! Literally will not leave my side, and gets vocal > immediately if he cannot see me, like if I manage to sneak away to > another room or something. > My question is, is this common for a cat to have such a large change > in behavior? I’ve had Tigger for almost 5 years now, and all of a > sudden he’s being a total pain in the ass! Does anyone have any > suggestions? > Please help!! I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in weeks! LeeAnn > is talking about giving him away, but I don’t want to resort to that.
Response:
Did you leave him alone for a long period of time? This makes cats change behavior. I’d get a second cat to give him a companion. I had my first cat for 3 years and then got a second cat. It makes a big difference in my cats life now. He has a companion and they love each other. They are playmates and best friends. I just wish I got him a friend earlier on so whe wasn’t lonely for the first 3 years of his life. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hi all, >Let me start by saying that Tigger has already been to the vet, and >has a clean bill of health. No changes to his environment, or >routine. We live in an apartment on the 19th floor, so there’s no >stress from other animals at the window or something like that. And >there are no other animals on our floor. Its business as usual. >The problem I am having with Tigger is that he has taken to aimless >roaming and meowing – mostly at night. He is extremely restless at >night over the last few weeks. Much more so than the usual bit of >night time playfulness and territorial roaming that you would expect >from a cat. Many many times each night, Tigger starts making >repeated *very loud* "crying" kind of meows. You know that lonely >sounding drawn-out kind of meow? When I go to investigate, he’s >fine – not in any physical distress, and usually just wants to play. >I’ve tried negative feedback with reprimands, and even a spray water >bottle. It simply doesn’t work – he’s back in the room in 5 minutes >doing this same thing, while we are trying to sleep. If I close the >door, he will scratch and claw at the carpet and door until the end >of time! When I let him back in, he jumps onto the bed and stands >there for a few minutes, as if to ensure that we are safe, then jumps >to the floor, and continues on with his meowing. I’ve tried ignoring >him – nothing seems to help. He knows that its a bad thing to make >noise late at night, because if he hears me getting out of bed while >he’s making this noise, he’ll run and hide from me. I can easily >call him out with some kind words, but then what? Its getting to the >point where he is seriously disrupting our sleep. >I work from home, so he gets tons of companionship all the time – >there’s no way he should be lonely. Another behavior change that >I’ve noticed is that he absolutely *must* be wherever I am – >bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, family room, computer room. He is 100% >cling-on!! Literally will not leave my side, and gets vocal >immediately if he cannot see me, like if I manage to sneak away to >another room or something. > My question is, is this common for a cat to have such a large change >in behavior? I’ve had Tigger for almost 5 years now, and all of a >sudden he’s being a total pain in the ass! Does anyone have any >suggestions? >Please help!! I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in weeks! LeeAnn >is talking about giving him away, but I don’t want to resort to that.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi all, > Let me start by saying that Tigger has already been to the vet, and > has a clean bill of health. No changes to his environment, or > routine. We live in an apartment on the 19th floor, so there’s no > stress from other animals at the window or something like that. And > there are no other animals on our floor. Its business as usual. > The problem I am having with Tigger is that he has taken to aimless > roaming and meowing – mostly at night. He is extremely restless at > night over the last few weeks. Much more so than the usual bit of > night time playfulness and territorial roaming that you would expect > from a cat. Many many times each night, Tigger starts making > repeated *very loud* "crying" kind of meows. You know that lonely > sounding drawn-out kind of meow? When I go to investigate, he’s > fine – not in any physical distress, and usually just wants to play. > I’ve tried negative feedback with reprimands, and even a spray water > bottle. It simply doesn’t work – he’s back in the room in 5 minutes > doing this same thing, while we are trying to sleep. If I close the > door, he will scratch and claw at the carpet and door until the end > of time! When I let him back in, he jumps onto the bed and stands > there for a few minutes, as if to ensure that we are safe, then jumps > to the floor, and continues on with his meowing. I’ve tried ignoring > him – nothing seems to help. He knows that its a bad thing to make > noise late at night, because if he hears me getting out of bed while > he’s making this noise, he’ll run and hide from me. I can easily > call him out with some kind words, but then what? Its getting to the > point where he is seriously disrupting our sleep. > I work from home, so he gets tons of companionship all the time – > there’s no way he should be lonely. Another behavior change that > I’ve noticed is that he absolutely *must* be wherever I am – > bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, family room, computer room. He is 100% > cling-on!! Literally will not leave my side, and gets vocal > immediately if he cannot see me, like if I manage to sneak away to > another room or something. > My question is, is this common for a cat to have such a large change > in behavior? I’ve had Tigger for almost 5 years now, and all of a > sudden he’s being a total pain in the ass! Does anyone have any > suggestions? > Please help!! I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in weeks! LeeAnn > is talking about giving him away, but I don’t want to resort to that.
Is the cat neutered? Get him a companion, NOW. OB. — **** Odette Brown ** I love Cats ***** *** La Belle Province ** Quebec ** CANADA *** http://www.igs.net/~rathey/odette1.htm
Response:
>Your kitty is lonely. [snip] You probably >work during the day, and then you sleep all night. Then you are gone >again. I’d be lonely, too.
Try reading the post before you hit the "reply button." Tigger’s owner does not in fact work all day; as she says, >I work from home, so he gets tons of companionship all the time – >there’s no way he should be lonely. >And if you were feeling lonely, how would you >like the person you love squirting you in the face with water? I really >wish people would quit with the squirt bottle thing.
Squirting with water is a perfectly fine way to teach a cat appropriate behavior. And it *is* necessary and desirable to teach a cat what’s appropriate and what’s not; I don’t believe that it does owner *or* cat any good for a cat to be spoiled and its every whim catered to. (Just most of its whims When my cat feels lonely (usually when he’s been in another room for a few minutes, oh dear , an appropriate way for him to express desire for attention is to bring me a toy and drop it on my foot. An inappropriate way is to root around digging the dirt out of a plant pot. Sure, it’s probably the same impulse, but the first way gets him rewarded with playtime and the second way gets him a scolding and a timeout in the bathroom. If squirting your cat helps him to learn the rules of the house faster, then it’s a good technique. >If you want Tigger to feel better, get him a >companion. Things you might also try is leaving the TV on, a nature >channel would be best, all night long in another room.
Well, since he has his human companion all day, I’d hesitate to recommend introducing a feline companion right off the bat. The TV might be a good thing to try to see if has any effect. Question for the original poster: have your work or travel habits changed lately? Did you go off and leave Tigger for a few days, and now he’s insecure? Have you considered making one room of your house "Tigger’s bedroom" with litterbox, bed, bowls, and toys, and shutting him in there at night? (So that with that door and your bedroom door shut you won’t hear him crying) Right now you’re reinforcing his crying by giving him attention in the night — even if it’s negative attention. If you can’t hear him, it won’t wake you, and hopefully he’ll learn that his new game of waking up Mom won’t do him any good. Cheers, Holly
Response:
Your kitty is lonely. And if you were feeling lonely, how would you like the person you love squirting you in the face with water? I really wish people would quit with the squirt bottle thing. As you indicated, it doesn’t work. If you want Tigger to feel better, get him a companion. Things you might also try is leaving the TV on, a nature channel would be best, all night long in another room. You probably work during the day, and then you sleep all night. Then you are gone again. I’d be lonely, too.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi all, >Let me start by saying that Tigger has already been to the vet, and >has a clean bill of health. No changes to his environment, or >routine. We live in an apartment on the 19th floor, so there’s no >stress from other animals at the window or something like that. And >there are no other animals on our floor. Its business as usual. >The problem I am having with Tigger is that he has taken to aimless >roaming and meowing – mostly at night. He is extremely restless at >night over the last few weeks. Much more so than the usual bit of >night time playfulness and territorial roaming that you would expect >from a cat. Many many times each night, Tigger starts making >repeated *very loud* "crying" kind of meows. You know that lonely >sounding drawn-out kind of meow? When I go to investigate, he’s >fine – not in any physical distress, and usually just wants to play. >I’ve tried negative feedback with reprimands, and even a spray water >bottle. It simply doesn’t work – he’s back in the room in 5 minutes >doing this same thing, while we are trying to sleep. If I close the >door, he will scratch and claw at the carpet and door until the end >of time! When I let him back in, he jumps onto the bed and stands >there for a few minutes, as if to ensure that we are safe, then jumps >to the floor, and continues on with his meowing. I’ve tried ignoring >him – nothing seems to help. He knows that its a bad thing to make >noise late at night, because if he hears me getting out of bed while >he’s making this noise, he’ll run and hide from me. I can easily >call him out with some kind words, but then what? Its getting to the >point where he is seriously disrupting our sleep. >I work from home, so he gets tons of companionship all the time – >there’s no way he should be lonely. Another behavior change that >I’ve noticed is that he absolutely *must* be wherever I am – >bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, family room, computer room. He is 100% >cling-on!! Literally will not leave my side, and gets vocal >immediately if he cannot see me, like if I manage to sneak away to >another room or something. > My question is, is this common for a cat to have such a large change >in behavior? I’ve had Tigger for almost 5 years now, and all of a >sudden he’s being a total pain in the ass! Does anyone have any >suggestions? >Please help!! I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in weeks! LeeAnn >is talking about giving him away, but I don’t want to resort to that.
Response:
Is Tigger fixed? If not, then this could be the cause. We have a cat who will sometimes call out at night (spayed male), I guess it’s similar to what you cat is doing. He’ll "mrrrrrooouuwwww" like he’s crying, over and over and over. Usually, if one of us goes to him, pets him, and brings him to the bed, he’ll stop crying and will sleep with us. Other than that, I’m afraid I can’t give you any other information. I hope you find a solution that is acceptable to both you and Tigger! :) -Valerie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->The problem I am having with Tigger is that he has taken to aimless >roaming and meowing – mostly at night. He is extremely restless at >night over the last few weeks. Much more so than the usual bit of >night time playfulness and territorial roaming that you would expect >from a cat. Many many times each night, Tigger starts making >repeated *very loud* "crying" kind of meows. You know that lonely >sounding drawn-out kind of meow?
Response:
Hi all, Let me start by saying that Tigger has already been to the vet, and has a clean bill of health. No changes to his environment, or routine. We live in an apartment on the 19th floor, so there’s no stress from other animals at the window or something like that. And there are no other animals on our floor. Its business as usual. The problem I am having with Tigger is that he has taken to aimless roaming and meowing – mostly at night. He is extremely restless at night over the last few weeks. Much more so than the usual bit of night time playfulness and territorial roaming that you would expect from a cat. Many many times each night, Tigger starts making repeated *very loud* "crying" kind of meows. You know that lonely sounding drawn-out kind of meow? When I go to investigate, he’s fine – not in any physical distress, and usually just wants to play. I’ve tried negative feedback with reprimands, and even a spray water bottle. It simply doesn’t work – he’s back in the room in 5 minutes doing this same thing, while we are trying to sleep. If I close the door, he will scratch and claw at the carpet and door until the end of time! When I let him back in, he jumps onto the bed and stands there for a few minutes, as if to ensure that we are safe, then jumps to the floor, and continues on with his meowing. I’ve tried ignoring him – nothing seems to help. He knows that its a bad thing to make noise late at night, because if he hears me getting out of bed while he’s making this noise, he’ll run and hide from me. I can easily call him out with some kind words, but then what? Its getting to the point where he is seriously disrupting our sleep. I work from home, so he gets tons of companionship all the time – there’s no way he should be lonely. Another behavior change that I’ve noticed is that he absolutely *must* be wherever I am – bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, family room, computer room. He is 100% cling-on!! Literally will not leave my side, and gets vocal immediately if he cannot see me, like if I manage to sneak away to another room or something. My question is, is this common for a cat to have such a large change in behavior? I’ve had Tigger for almost 5 years now, and all of a sudden he’s being a total pain in the ass! Does anyone have any suggestions? Please help!! I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in weeks! LeeAnn is talking about giving him away, but I don’t want to resort to that.
Response:
That’s an idea – I’ll ask my students next week which they’d prefer – detention or squirting. Vanessa
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Squirting isn’t on par with hitting, however I think ‘perfectly fine’ > is an overstatement > If you think it qualifies as a *teaching* method perhaps it should > be suggested to the public school system to help bring up those > reading scores. > Eileen
Response:
hehehehe :) keep us posted on the improvement in their grades <g> – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> That’s an idea – I’ll ask my students next week which they’d prefer – > detention or squirting. > Vanessa > Squirting isn’t on par with hitting, however I think ‘perfectly fine’ > is an overstatement > If you think it qualifies as a *teaching* method perhaps it should > be suggested to the public school system to help bring up those > reading scores. > Eileen
Response:
Wholeheartedly agree! I was thinking the exact same thing. I am home alone all day with our cats and there is a difference between just being here and paying some attention by playing with them. Lisa
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > While you write that he gets a lot of attention when you are > home, I wonder whether he gets a lot of "play-time? And whether > in addition, playing with him, exercising him via string, ball > chasing, etc. and tiring him out at night before bedtime might > help. I also wonder whether something has made him insecure, so > that he needs more reassurance? Is *his* environment interesting > and stimulating? Does he have a window perch where it’s > interesting to look out even at night? Perhaps a tunnel to run > into and hide? Does he have an area he can climb on, play in/on > and sleep – a vertical kitty condo or similar area which is fun > for him? Reprimanding him when he needs attention is ineffective > and will simply make him fear you which you’ve already > discovered. If he is feeling insecure, it will just making > matters worse. He might just need a lot more stimulation, not > just attention. > Hope some of the above helps, > M.
Response:
Cats who are hyperthyroid often vocalize at night. And it makes them more active. Did the vet examination include bloodwork? Krazee4Katz and the house of 14 katz Please spay and neuter all companion animals. >^.^< Don’t declaw.
Response:
> Squirting with water is a perfectly fine way to teach a cat appropriate > behavior. And it *is* necessary and desirable to teach a cat what’s > appropriate and what’s not; I don’t believe that it does owner *or* cat any > good for a cat to be spoiled and its every whim catered to. (Just most of > its whims
Squirting isn’t on par with hitting, however I think ‘perfectly fine’ is an overstatement. When used judiciously and not out of anger it is simply less destructive than many other methods of discipline people use. However cat behaviorists are turning away from it more and more; eventually it may very possibly be flat out rejected by those who study cat behavior and behavior modification. It is still a *punishment* rather than training or teaching, and it is still something directly done by the owner (vs. something like a can of pennies tipping over, which, to the cat, is disconnected from the owner and is less likely to harm the owner/cat bond). If you think it qualifies as a *teaching* method perhaps it should be suggested to the public school system to help bring up those reading scores. Eileen
Response:
Hi, While you write that he gets a lot of attention when you are home, I wonder whether he gets a lot of "play-time? And whether in addition, playing with him, exercising him via string, ball chasing, etc. and tiring him out at night before bedtime might help. I also wonder whether something has made him insecure, so that he needs more reassurance? Is *his* environment interesting and stimulating? Does he have a window perch where it’s interesting to look out even at night? Perhaps a tunnel to run into and hide? Does he have an area he can climb on, play in/on and sleep – a vertical kitty condo or similar area which is fun for him? Reprimanding him when he needs attention is ineffective and will simply make him fear you which you’ve already discovered. If he is feeling insecure, it will just making matters worse. He might just need a lot more stimulation, not just attention. Hope some of the above helps, M.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi all, > Let me start by saying that Tigger has already been to the vet, and > has a clean bill of health. No changes to his environment, or > routine. We live in an apartment on the 19th floor, so there’s no > stress from other animals at the window or something like that. And > there are no other animals on our floor. Its business as usual. > The problem I am having with Tigger is that he has taken to aimless > roaming and meowing – mostly at night. He is extremely restless at > night over the last few weeks. Much more so than the usual bit of > night time playfulness and territorial roaming that you would expect > from a cat. Many many times each night, Tigger starts making > repeated *very loud* "crying" kind of meows. You know that lonely > sounding drawn-out kind of meow? When I go to investigate, he’s > fine – not in any physical distress, and usually just wants to play. > I’ve tried negative feedback with reprimands, and even a spray water > bottle. It simply doesn’t work – he’s back in the room in 5 minutes > doing this same thing, while we are trying to sleep. If I close the > door, he will scratch and claw at the carpet and door until the end > of time! When I let him back in, he jumps onto the bed and stands > there for a few minutes, as if to ensure that we are safe, then jumps > to the floor, and continues on with his meowing. I’ve tried ignoring > him – nothing seems to help. He knows that its a bad thing to make > noise late at night, because if he hears me getting out of bed while > he’s making this noise, he’ll run and hide from me. I can easily > call him out with some kind words, but then what? Its getting to the > point where he is seriously disrupting our sleep. > I work from home, so he gets tons of companionship all the time – > there’s no way he should be lonely. Another behavior change that > I’ve noticed is that he absolutely *must* be wherever I am – > bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, family room, computer room. He is 100% > cling-on!! Literally will not leave my side, and gets vocal > immediately if he cannot see me, like if I manage to sneak away to > another room or something. > My question is, is this common for a cat to have such a large change > in behavior? I’ve had Tigger for almost 5 years now, and all of a > sudden he’s being a total pain in the ass! Does anyone have any > suggestions? > Please help!! I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in weeks! LeeAnn > is talking about giving him away, but I don’t want to resort to that.
Response:
Did you leave him alone for a long period of time? This makes cats change behavior. I’d get a second cat to give him a companion. I had my first cat for 3 years and then got a second cat. It makes a big difference in my cats life now. He has a companion and they love each other. They are playmates and best friends. I just wish I got him a friend earlier on so whe wasn’t lonely for the first 3 years of his life. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hi all, >Let me start by saying that Tigger has already been to the vet, and >has a clean bill of health. No changes to his environment, or >routine. We live in an apartment on the 19th floor, so there’s no >stress from other animals at the window or something like that. And >there are no other animals on our floor. Its business as usual. >The problem I am having with Tigger is that he has taken to aimless >roaming and meowing – mostly at night. He is extremely restless at >night over the last few weeks. Much more so than the usual bit of >night time playfulness and territorial roaming that you would expect >from a cat. Many many times each night, Tigger starts making >repeated *very loud* "crying" kind of meows. You know that lonely >sounding drawn-out kind of meow? When I go to investigate, he’s >fine – not in any physical distress, and usually just wants to play. >I’ve tried negative feedback with reprimands, and even a spray water >bottle. It simply doesn’t work – he’s back in the room in 5 minutes >doing this same thing, while we are trying to sleep. If I close the >door, he will scratch and claw at the carpet and door until the end >of time! When I let him back in, he jumps onto the bed and stands >there for a few minutes, as if to ensure that we are safe, then jumps >to the floor, and continues on with his meowing. I’ve tried ignoring >him – nothing seems to help. He knows that its a bad thing to make >noise late at night, because if he hears me getting out of bed while >he’s making this noise, he’ll run and hide from me. I can easily >call him out with some kind words, but then what? Its getting to the >point where he is seriously disrupting our sleep. >I work from home, so he gets tons of companionship all the time – >there’s no way he should be lonely. Another behavior change that >I’ve noticed is that he absolutely *must* be wherever I am – >bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, family room, computer room. He is 100% >cling-on!! Literally will not leave my side, and gets vocal >immediately if he cannot see me, like if I manage to sneak away to >another room or something. > My question is, is this common for a cat to have such a large change >in behavior? I’ve had Tigger for almost 5 years now, and all of a >sudden he’s being a total pain in the ass! Does anyone have any >suggestions? >Please help!! I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in weeks! LeeAnn >is talking about giving him away, but I don’t want to resort to that.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi all, > Let me start by saying that Tigger has already been to the vet, and > has a clean bill of health. No changes to his environment, or > routine. We live in an apartment on the 19th floor, so there’s no > stress from other animals at the window or something like that. And > there are no other animals on our floor. Its business as usual. > The problem I am having with Tigger is that he has taken to aimless > roaming and meowing – mostly at night. He is extremely restless at > night over the last few weeks. Much more so than the usual bit of > night time playfulness and territorial roaming that you would expect > from a cat. Many many times each night, Tigger starts making > repeated *very loud* "crying" kind of meows. You know that lonely > sounding drawn-out kind of meow? When I go to investigate, he’s > fine – not in any physical distress, and usually just wants to play. > I’ve tried negative feedback with reprimands, and even a spray water > bottle. It simply doesn’t work – he’s back in the room in 5 minutes > doing this same thing, while we are trying to sleep. If I close the > door, he will scratch and claw at the carpet and door until the end > of time! When I let him back in, he jumps onto the bed and stands > there for a few minutes, as if to ensure that we are safe, then jumps > to the floor, and continues on with his meowing. I’ve tried ignoring > him – nothing seems to help. He knows that its a bad thing to make > noise late at night, because if he hears me getting out of bed while > he’s making this noise, he’ll run and hide from me. I can easily > call him out with some kind words, but then what? Its getting to the > point where he is seriously disrupting our sleep. > I work from home, so he gets tons of companionship all the time – > there’s no way he should be lonely. Another behavior change that > I’ve noticed is that he absolutely *must* be wherever I am – > bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, family room, computer room. He is 100% > cling-on!! Literally will not leave my side, and gets vocal > immediately if he cannot see me, like if I manage to sneak away to > another room or something. > My question is, is this common for a cat to have such a large change > in behavior? I’ve had Tigger for almost 5 years now, and all of a > sudden he’s being a total pain in the ass! Does anyone have any > suggestions? > Please help!! I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in weeks! LeeAnn > is talking about giving him away, but I don’t want to resort to that.
Is the cat neutered? Get him a companion, NOW. OB. — **** Odette Brown ** I love Cats ***** *** La Belle Province ** Quebec ** CANADA *** http://www.igs.net/~rathey/odette1.htm
Response:
>Your kitty is lonely. [snip] You probably >work during the day, and then you sleep all night. Then you are gone >again. I’d be lonely, too.
Try reading the post before you hit the "reply button." Tigger’s owner does not in fact work all day; as she says, >I work from home, so he gets tons of companionship all the time – >there’s no way he should be lonely. >And if you were feeling lonely, how would you >like the person you love squirting you in the face with water? I really >wish people would quit with the squirt bottle thing.
Squirting with water is a perfectly fine way to teach a cat appropriate behavior. And it *is* necessary and desirable to teach a cat what’s appropriate and what’s not; I don’t believe that it does owner *or* cat any good for a cat to be spoiled and its every whim catered to. (Just most of its whims When my cat feels lonely (usually when he’s been in another room for a few minutes, oh dear , an appropriate way for him to express desire for attention is to bring me a toy and drop it on my foot. An inappropriate way is to root around digging the dirt out of a plant pot. Sure, it’s probably the same impulse, but the first way gets him rewarded with playtime and the second way gets him a scolding and a timeout in the bathroom. If squirting your cat helps him to learn the rules of the house faster, then it’s a good technique. >If you want Tigger to feel better, get him a >companion. Things you might also try is leaving the TV on, a nature >channel would be best, all night long in another room.
Well, since he has his human companion all day, I’d hesitate to recommend introducing a feline companion right off the bat. The TV might be a good thing to try to see if has any effect. Question for the original poster: have your work or travel habits changed lately? Did you go off and leave Tigger for a few days, and now he’s insecure? Have you considered making one room of your house "Tigger’s bedroom" with litterbox, bed, bowls, and toys, and shutting him in there at night? (So that with that door and your bedroom door shut you won’t hear him crying) Right now you’re reinforcing his crying by giving him attention in the night — even if it’s negative attention. If you can’t hear him, it won’t wake you, and hopefully he’ll learn that his new game of waking up Mom won’t do him any good. Cheers, Holly
Response:
Your kitty is lonely. And if you were feeling lonely, how would you like the person you love squirting you in the face with water? I really wish people would quit with the squirt bottle thing. As you indicated, it doesn’t work. If you want Tigger to feel better, get him a companion. Things you might also try is leaving the TV on, a nature channel would be best, all night long in another room. You probably work during the day, and then you sleep all night. Then you are gone again. I’d be lonely, too.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi all, >Let me start by saying that Tigger has already been to the vet, and >has a clean bill of health. No changes to his environment, or >routine. We live in an apartment on the 19th floor, so there’s no >stress from other animals at the window or something like that. And >there are no other animals on our floor. Its business as usual. >The problem I am having with Tigger is that he has taken to aimless >roaming and meowing – mostly at night. He is extremely restless at >night over the last few weeks. Much more so than the usual bit of >night time playfulness and territorial roaming that you would expect >from a cat. Many many times each night, Tigger starts making >repeated *very loud* "crying" kind of meows. You know that lonely >sounding drawn-out kind of meow? When I go to investigate, he’s >fine – not in any physical distress, and usually just wants to play. >I’ve tried negative feedback with reprimands, and even a spray water >bottle. It simply doesn’t work – he’s back in the room in 5 minutes >doing this same thing, while we are trying to sleep. If I close the >door, he will scratch and claw at the carpet and door until the end >of time! When I let him back in, he jumps onto the bed and stands >there for a few minutes, as if to ensure that we are safe, then jumps >to the floor, and continues on with his meowing. I’ve tried ignoring >him – nothing seems to help. He knows that its a bad thing to make >noise late at night, because if he hears me getting out of bed while >he’s making this noise, he’ll run and hide from me. I can easily >call him out with some kind words, but then what? Its getting to the >point where he is seriously disrupting our sleep. >I work from home, so he gets tons of companionship all the time – >there’s no way he should be lonely. Another behavior change that >I’ve noticed is that he absolutely *must* be wherever I am – >bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, family room, computer room. He is 100% >cling-on!! Literally will not leave my side, and gets vocal >immediately if he cannot see me, like if I manage to sneak away to >another room or something. > My question is, is this common for a cat to have such a large change >in behavior? I’ve had Tigger for almost 5 years now, and all of a >sudden he’s being a total pain in the ass! Does anyone have any >suggestions? >Please help!! I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in weeks! LeeAnn >is talking about giving him away, but I don’t want to resort to that.
Response:
Is Tigger fixed? If not, then this could be the cause. We have a cat who will sometimes call out at night (spayed male), I guess it’s similar to what you cat is doing. He’ll "mrrrrrooouuwwww" like he’s crying, over and over and over. Usually, if one of us goes to him, pets him, and brings him to the bed, he’ll stop crying and will sleep with us. Other than that, I’m afraid I can’t give you any other information. I hope you find a solution that is acceptable to both you and Tigger! :) -Valerie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->The problem I am having with Tigger is that he has taken to aimless >roaming and meowing – mostly at night. He is extremely restless at >night over the last few weeks. Much more so than the usual bit of >night time playfulness and territorial roaming that you would expect >from a cat. Many many times each night, Tigger starts making >repeated *very loud* "crying" kind of meows. You know that lonely >sounding drawn-out kind of meow?
Response:
Hi all, Let me start by saying that Tigger has already been to the vet, and has a clean bill of health. No changes to his environment, or routine. We live in an apartment on the 19th floor, so there’s no stress from other animals at the window or something like that. And there are no other animals on our floor. Its business as usual. The problem I am having with Tigger is that he has taken to aimless roaming and meowing – mostly at night. He is extremely restless at night over the last few weeks. Much more so than the usual bit of night time playfulness and territorial roaming that you would expect from a cat. Many many times each night, Tigger starts making repeated *very loud* "crying" kind of meows. You know that lonely sounding drawn-out kind of meow? When I go to investigate, he’s fine – not in any physical distress, and usually just wants to play. I’ve tried negative feedback with reprimands, and even a spray water bottle. It simply doesn’t work – he’s back in the room in 5 minutes doing this same thing, while we are trying to sleep. If I close the door, he will scratch and claw at the carpet and door until the end of time! When I let him back in, he jumps onto the bed and stands there for a few minutes, as if to ensure that we are safe, then jumps to the floor, and continues on with his meowing. I’ve tried ignoring him – nothing seems to help. He knows that its a bad thing to make noise late at night, because if he hears me getting out of bed while he’s making this noise, he’ll run and hide from me. I can easily call him out with some kind words, but then what? Its getting to the point where he is seriously disrupting our sleep. I work from home, so he gets tons of companionship all the time – there’s no way he should be lonely. Another behavior change that I’ve noticed is that he absolutely *must* be wherever I am – bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, family room, computer room. He is 100% cling-on!! Literally will not leave my side, and gets vocal immediately if he cannot see me, like if I manage to sneak away to another room or something. My question is, is this common for a cat to have such a large change in behavior? I’ve had Tigger for almost 5 years now, and all of a sudden he’s being a total pain in the ass! Does anyone have any suggestions? Please help!! I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in weeks! LeeAnn is talking about giving him away, but I don’t want to resort to that.
Response:
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