Cat Behaviour Problems: Your cat's behaviour

Grieving:

Question: Simon lost his sister 18 months ago with cancer. He is about 11 years old. He has suddenly in the last 2 weeks started 'yowling' in the middle of the night - 4 times last night. We don’t get this during the day - there is no reason for it that we can see.

He has been checked by the vet since this started and been given a clean bill of health, apart from being a bit creaky on the joints at times. Please help! – we’re getting tired of this - in more ways than one.

Answer: Cats do grieve when they lose close companions, but the period of mourning is usually less than 18 months.

‘Yowling’ at night is usually designed to get owners attention.

You do not say where he sleeps, and how you respond so I cannot tell exactly why he may be doing this.

If he is trying to get your attention, it is likely that either he is not getting enough attention or exercise during the day, or, more likely at his age, he is feeling insecure and needs to be with you in order to do so.

If he sleeps apart from you, you could try having him in your bedroom at nighttime. You will need to find a small indoor cage for him so that he does not learn to disturb you in the middle of the night. Or perhaps you have been caught up with your own lives lately and not been able to give him as much attention as usual.

Alternatively, he may be an active cat that cannot go outside for exercise as much as he used to, perhaps, for example, because a new confident cat is making him feel uncomfortable about venturing out. This may cause him to have too much energy that keeps him awake at night.

If this is the case, playing games with him during the evening may help to tire him out so you all get a good night’s sleep.

Question: My cat, Pepper, had a sister called Salt but unfortunately she was run over and killed. He isn't off his food, but he is very listless and cries a lot. Does this mean he's pining and, if so, what will help him?

Answer: Yes, it probably does. Cats do pine for a while after a close friend dies or disappears, particularly if it was a sibling and they were closely bonded.

As with human greiving, try to keep to the normal routine, make him as comfortable as possible, and give him plenty of love and attention.

It’s not a good time to introduce another kitten or cat – it will be no substitute and may aggrevate the situation. Given time, Pepper will get used to being alone and then, if you want to, you can try introducing a new kitten into the household.