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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

My cat is driving me crazy

12 replies

YappityYapYap · 23/04/2020 21:41

Just that really, my cat is driving me insane. We got him last June and he's a really good cat in general. He's an outdoor cat so he tends to be in and out through the day then comes in at night.

The issue is that he is very loud and it's become really bad lately. He wakes us up at 5:30am daily by just meowing really loud until someone gets up. He's constantly walking around just meowing so loud that we can hardly even think sometimes.

He's well fed, he's up to date with check ups and vaccines, wormed and flea'd and he gets plenty of attention too.

This is my first cat as an adult but I had cats as a child and I honestly can't remember any of them being like this. He's young, he's not two yet, will be in August.

He's always been loud but it was ok before, he would usually just harrass me when I got up and just before his food went out but now he is around me all day, licking my feet, yelping and as you can imagine, with this lockdown, I'm slowly losing it. It's all the time! I never get a moment to myself.

There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with him, he looks and seems healthy. I don't think I would get an appointment at the vet right now unless I suspected he's ill.

I've tried the plug ins but they didn't help. Could he be hungry and needing fed more maybe? He currently gets two pouches of food a day, one in the morning and one around 6pm, he eats about half a bowl of go cat dry food each day too then I give him a handful of treats once or twice a day too. He also gets some tuna or salmon as a treat at the weekend. He's not a big cat, small-medium I would say and medium build too.

Any help would be appreciated!

OP posts:
Imboredinthehouse · 23/04/2020 22:48

Is he bored and wanting attention?
Mine yowls until I get up and play with her for half an hour (feather on elastic, rattle mice, balls) then she will settle down until she next wants a play.

Want2beme · 23/04/2020 22:52

It could be so many things. Medical, (hyperthyroidism, kidney probs.), seeking attention, hunger, wanting to play, loneliness, stress. Your vet might see you if DCat's really stressed. Has anything changed in your household that could cause anxiety? Maybe he needs more food. As well as the wet food you give him, try leaving dry food down for him all day and put his water in a separate place. Cats don't like to drink where they eat. If you can ignore his meowing, not easy, then he should learn that he won't get a response for being noisy. Don't reward the meowing with food either. Only feed him when he's quiet, but I'd leave more dry food down for him, too.

Has it started since being at home because of lockdown? I hope you get to the bottom of itSmile

YappityYapYap · 23/04/2020 23:45

I leave dry food out for him out all day which he grazes on and usually eats half of it but his water is beside his food so I'll try moving it. Yeah things have changed. Previously it was just me and DS here in the morning then I would go to work and DS to nursery. Then we were all here in the evenings but now we're all here all day. He seems to come in out and a lot which he didn't before. He had a routine. Out for a pee in the morning, fed, some cuddles then he would sleep then go out for a wander, come back for food and more cuddles then out again then in at night when he would sit with me and I would play with him using his cat toys or just sit and pet him.

He seems a bit calmer tonight, I gave him an extra pouch of food. Maybe he needs 3 a day? He's started going after birds more. We had to save a bird from his clutches a few months a go, thankfully the bird was ok!

OP posts:
MiddlesexGirl · 23/04/2020 23:49

Seems like you already give him plenty of food - that's more than my cats get and they're big. If he's used to you playing with him when you're at home that could be what he's asking for.
What happens if you pick him up and cuddle him?

lifeisgoodmostofthetime · 23/04/2020 23:58

I think he's hungry. 2 pouches aren't enough especially as he seems so energetic. I'd say 4 inc some supper which may help with not waking up so early. Plus the dry biscuits to graze on.

MiddlesexGirl · 24/04/2020 07:23

Seriously?! I have large breed cats who are very active and they have 1 pouch (or equivalent raw) plus some kibble and they're not clamouring for more food.

BrokenNlost · 24/04/2020 08:27

My cat is the same but she is very vocal. So my partner will get up and play with her /let her out.
As for food, that is way too much. My cat eats half a bowl of dried food and a half wet pouch a day (that’s all she wants). Someone suggested 4 packets a day (wow) I think my vet might have a heart attack at that. I suppose it does depend on the cat but please do research (not OP) the right amount to give to your cat.

madcatladyforever · 24/04/2020 11:48

Is he deaf. I have a deaf cat and the noise is horrific as she has no volume control.
He could just be a noisy Velcro cat.
Is he wormed? Vaccinated? Se-flead? All those things can drive them nuts especially worms.

Imboredinthehouse · 24/04/2020 13:23

Feeding recommendations per size/weight of cat.

My cat is driving me crazy
MiddlesexGirl · 27/04/2020 00:24

Don't forget that is a food manufacturers recommendation so likely to be on the generous side. One of my cats is 5kg and has one pouch and a bowl of kibble a day. I'll weigh the kibble tomorrow!

SanFranBear · 27/04/2020 00:33

The feeding thing really depends on what you're feeding them.. what pouches are you feeding him.

GoCat is basically junk food as it has very little meat in it and is packed full of cereals and the same is said for other supermarket brands like Whiskas.

You could look into giving him food with a much higher meat content which is grain free - Butchers is good, or look on ZooPlus for brands like Animonda Carny which, if bought in bulk are good value. It will keep him fuller for far longer and may help.

However, it might well be behavioural. My cat is the most affectionate animal but lockdown has totally messed with his routine and his quiet time. I don't see him hardly ever at the moment whereas before I couldn't move without him being there. Dont underestimate how stressful he might be finding everyone being at home, especially with loud youngsters. My DC are older but they're still noisy and my cat has very much has enough!

SanFranBear · 27/04/2020 00:34

Dreadful grammar in that first paragraph - but hopefully you get my meaning Grin

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