Oy Vay

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-26-2003
Oy Vay
3
Fri, 07-09-2004 - 3:50pm
Hello Ladies.

I hope you're all very well. I was hoping someone might have some insight into my cat, Boo Bear's, new behavior. She is about 7 years old. I've had her for five plus years.

In the last few weeks, she's started waking me up at around 6am making all of this noise. She makes these woe is me sounding meows continuously. Of course, when it first started, I thought the food dish was empty or something... but it wasn't.

I don't know what she wants but I can tell you that I am not a happy morning person and as of late I've been kicking her out of the room. I don't want this to become standard procedure, especially as I have another cat and I don't want either to think I'm picking favorites.

Any thoughts on what's up with the noise? She used to happily sleep in with me!

Thank you.

-Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-23-2002
In reply to: amyaccardi
Fri, 07-09-2004 - 7:40pm
Hi Amy!

Has anything changed lately in Boo Bear's environment? New cat in the house, new home, food, etc? Sometimes they can be sensitive to changes in their routine. If nothing has changed and you think there are no health problems possibly bothering her, then I am not sure what has caused her to wake you up. (Hopefully someone else here has some ideas). My Misha meows a lot sometimes and there is still food on her plate. I am not sure why, but maybe they just want attention? I would suggest positively reinforcing her good behavior (give lots of praise & cuddles) and not giving her attention when she misbehaves and makes so much noise. Try earplugs if necessary or if you can use a squirt gun when she's not looking (and doesn't realize it's coming from you) to stop her yowling or shake a can of loose change to startle her temporarily, that may help re-train her. The less attention she gets from her "bad" behavior the more likely she is to stop. (At least that's what I've read regarding kitty behavior).

Keep us posted on how Boo Bear is doing:-)

Suzy


iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
In reply to: amyaccardi
Fri, 07-09-2004 - 7:53pm

I guess just watch for anything differant and make sure she is eating ete

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2004
In reply to: amyaccardi
Fri, 07-09-2004 - 7:59pm

Hi, Amy,


Well....I'm no lady, however, that being the case, may I suggest that when Boo Bear does that to you in the early hours of the morning, you keep a couple of her favourite toys close by and distract her by throwing on the floor.