Why do cats cry?

[wickedwitchNE]

I rescued two cats 6 months ago, and from the start one of them has cried loudly at night - usually every hour or so, either until she tires herself out or until one of us talks back to her. She has good, water, litter, and an open plan house to run round with plenty of toys in. Her sister/mother (we still aren't sure how they are related) completely ignores her so I know it can't be too serious, but my god she sounds like she is hysterical!

We have tried allowing access to our bedroom, or rather I do when OH is away - makes no difference. We tried leaving a light on for her too. I'm not so much worried for her health/sanity anymore as for the neighbours, who MUST be able to hear. Plus we have a baby due in 2 months and I don't want to end up with two 'babies' in the house whose cries I can't understand!

Does anybody have any clues? She never cries like this any other time, unless she is getting her food late on an evening and I am being too slow at dishing it up. The only thing that shuts her up now is shouting down to her - not telling her off (makes her louder) but just letting her know we're awake IYSWIM.

How old is she?

Roughly 2 years old.

She sounds terribly needy, wicked, and not wanting to be alone for the whole night. Do you know her/their history?

Oh. I was guessing that she was an elderly cat, as they sometimes get confused and cry at night.

She obviously wants you to get up for some reason. You say that she cries when her food is late. Maybe she wants more food. We always leave a dish of food down overnight for our old girl to snack on, as otherwise she howls loudly and wakes us up.

I do hope that you can resolve this as you sound like a lovely thoughtful cat owner.

I think I am too indulgent with them! The rescue knew surprisingly little, she was bought in with two others (one of whom we also have) and used to be an indoor cat in a small flat with them (!) before being at the shelter with her sister/mother for 6 months.

She now goes outside whenever we are in but won't stray far - letting her out was an attempt to tire her our in the daytime, and none of us would be happy about her being out at night. She is the most playful of the two but also the least affectionate with us, if anything the older one seems much needier for our attention/fuss, the little one is happier doing her own thing. It is baffling, technically she isn't alone as there are two of them and half the time we have our door open for her which she ignores. She has dry food and water available all night, and usually some wet food left over from their evening meal.

Like I said not a massive problem really, more something which is frustrating not to have the answer to. Have usually had cats in the house and never had a crier like this!

Mine just likes the sound of her own voice! However, she cries when we are there to hear her iyswim. Maybe leave food overnight, would it be potty to suggest radio 4 on low?