Q: My healthy adult indoor-only cat has started howling seemingly all day and all night. I haven’t changed anything in her routine. I don’t understand why this suddenly started?
A: Thank you for getting in touch with us, and I understand that this must be a concern for you and your family. Cats can be very vocal, and they are good at getting their owners’ attention, often at inconvenient times of the day or night.
There are a number of reasons that a cat may vocalize in this manner, ranging from normal to indicating disease. The first thing to rule out is a disease.
Urinary tract infections and/or stone formation in the urinary tract can be associated with pain and discomfort, and may cause cats to vocalize.
In many of these cases, they may show other signs of illness in the urinary tract, such as frequent urination, vocalizing upon urination, blood in the urine or avoidance of the litterbox. They may associate the act of urinating with pain, and therefore stay away from the place they normally urinate.
Certain diseases of the central nervous system, such as tumors or infections of the brain, can cause cats to behave abnormally. In many of these cases, cats will show some other signs of central nervous system problems, such as seizures, problems with balance, abnormal eye movements and/or lethargy/depression.
Another typical cause of excessive vocalization is hyperthyroidism, the most common endocrine (hormonal) problem in cats in which the thyroid produces excessive thyroid hormone (thyroxine), a hormone that is important in a variety of organs in the body. High thyroxine levels can cause a cat to become hyperactive, have a ravenous appetite, lose weight despite eating more than usual, drink and urinating excessively, and to have an unkempt appearance. Owners of hyperthyroid cats often report that the cats vocalize excessively at odd times.
Age-associated deterioration of vision and/or hearing, leading to disorientation and confusion can be a cause, as can dementia, which many veterinary behaviorists feel cats suffer from in a manner that is similar to that seen in humans with age-associated dementia.
My best advice is to visit your cat’s veterinarian for a check-up. He or she can help rule out medical causes of excessive vocalization, treat them if diagnosed, and/or make recommendations about how to address those causes not directly associated with a disease.
Most cats can be managed well with treatment of underlying diseases, behavioral modification and/or anti-anxiety medications, if needed.
I understand that your kitty may be driving you bonkers right now, but please hang in there and seek veterinary assistance. I am sure that, with time, you will find a solution so that both you and your kitty can get some sleep!
