However, if you notice increased meowing or a change in how your cat meows, they may be trying to communicate physical or emotional distress. Cats may meow more when they are hungry or in pain. As cats age, some develop cognitive dysfunction, or senility, which can also change the frequency of meowing.
A change in behaviour implies something's not quite right. The stress of moving home, a new baby, or being left alone for long periods of time can all trigger antisocial behaviour. If those things have been ruled out you may need to arrange a visit to the vet, especially if your cat is growling or biting when touched.
Howling, crying, hiding, and otherwise acting in a way that is out of character for your pet should alert you that something may be seriously wrong. Changes in litter box habits, particularly in male cats, can indicate a serious health problem.
Cats are very good at hiding illness and pain, but if you have a feeling something is wrong — anything from missing the litter box, to new eating habits, to hiding or hunching or meowing more than usual — it's often a good indication that your cat could use a helping hand from your veterinary team.
If your cat is in pain it might: Squint or close their eyes tightly. Flatten their ears so that they are pressed to the sides or back of their head. Project an overall facial appearance of tension with a tight mouth.
Signs of a Depressed Cat
Meowing more or less than usual or making low-pitched, mournful meows. Lack of energy or a decrease in activity level. Retreating from humans or other family pets. Hiding or sleeping more than usual.
Make a Clean, Comfortable Bed Available
To make your cat feel more comfortable, add special touches to their cat bed or whatever place your cat likes to sleep. Add extra blankets for cushioning, and be sure to change the blankets regularly if your cat is having trouble getting to the litter box.
Growling, hissing or spitting indicates a cat who is annoyed, frightened, angry or aggressive. Leave this cat alone. A yowl or howl (they sound like loud, drawn-out meows) tells you your cat is in some kind of distress—stuck in a closet, looking for you or in pain.
A short meow is like a standard greeting or 'hello'. A drawn-out meow can be a demand for something immediately like 'feed me now' or 'open the door'. A higher pitched longer meow, or yowl could mean pain or anger. This could be if another cat is in their territory; e.g. 'I don't want you here!
If your cat has a fever, try to keep them cool by placing them in a quiet, well-ventilated room. If they have an upset stomach, a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice can do wonders. However, it's important to remember that if your cat's condition doesn't improve, you should certainly seek professional help.
“Play is an important part of relieving stress,” Delgado says. “It helps cats release those feel-good hormones.” Providing cats with physical and mental stimulation “isn't extra—it's essential,” she adds. “It's just as important as food and water.”
Cons of Indoor Cats
Some indoor cats also experience depression and separation anxiety.
A: Cats can get lonely, depressed and anxious on their own. Each cat is different and will respond according to their personality and habits. If you have to leave your cat alone regularly for longer periods of time, watch out for signs of depression and cat separation anxiety.
They will only feel a needle prick, but some felines may be more sensitive to this than others. If your vet injects the euthanasia drug directly from a needle and syringe, again they may react slightly to the needle prick but will not experience any pain when the drug is being injected.
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease caused by a feline coronavirus that affects wild and domestic cats. This type of coronavirus is different from the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 in people.
Clingy or hiding or changes in personality: A sad cat may lose interest in the activities that used to engage it, become reclusive, and hide. Naturally quiet cats can become clingy or demanding, and the fear of strangers that many cats seem to share can become heightened when a cat is sad.
In a research made by Nottingham Trent University, the findings show that cats are able to determine when their humans are anxious or stressed. Apart from this, they can also mirror their human's emotions and well-being.
Your cat can't tell you where it hurts but can communicate with you by vocalizing. If your pet meows more often than normal, pain may be the reason. Cats in pain may also hiss or growl, particularly if you happen to touch a painful area. Purring doesn't always mean that your cat is happy.
The most common sign of illness in some cats is hiding in a quiet, out-of-the-way place. Sick cats often lie quietly in a hunched position. They might neglect grooming. They may be purring, which cats do not only when they're happy, but also when they're sick or in pain.
Most kitty colds will resolve on their own with time and supportive care. If your cat is ill enough to require medications for her cold, she will be better served by receiving medications intended for use in cats from your vet.