What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
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What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
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I have a problem with my roommate's cat - when she wants something, which is often, she sits and yowls until she gets it. She sounds like a cat in heat (which she isn't). What she wants, most frequent
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What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
posted at 2/25/2009 4:59 AM EST
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Posts: 2116
First: 7/9/2008 Last: 12/21/2009 |
I have a problem with my roommate's cat - when she wants something, which is often, she sits and yowls until she gets it. She sounds like a cat in heat (which she isn't). What she wants, most frequently, is my roommate. She will sit outside her bedroom door for hours in the middle of the night and cry. My roommate will, if anything, throw her down into the basement (where she cries at the basement door until someone lets her out, only to resume crying at my roommate's door). It's making me crazy. I understand that the cat is horribly neglected, and I feel terrible for her, but - is there anything I can do to just make her SHUT UP? This problem has been going on for months. I can't really think of any options other than leaving the door open so she'll run away or muzzling her. I would appreciate any serious help. I have a sound machine for my room, but she's so loud that it doesn't help. |
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What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
posted at 2/25/2009 5:37 AM EST
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Posts: 1862
First: 5/30/2008 Last: 12/21/2009 |
Play w/ the cat. If you give it some attention, it will stop. My cat used to do this all the time. Once I figured out that he just wanted attention, and gave it to him, he stopped yowling. Then again, once he realizes that the yowling works, he's going to keep it up whenever he wants something, so it's kind of a vicious circle. But playing w/ the cat for 10-20 minutes per day dramatically cuts down on the yowling. Good luck.
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What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
posted at 2/25/2009 5:40 AM EST
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Posts: 2116
First: 7/9/2008 Last: 12/21/2009 |
I agree that playing with her is an excellent idea. She won't play with me. She wants her mama, and she runs whenever anyone else approaches her. I have suggested, repeatedly, that giving her what she wants when she howls is a bad idea. My roommate ignores everything I say. I hesitate to suggest that the real solution is that my roommate either live the rest of her days alone (with the cat) or give her cats to someone who actually knows how to care for them properly. |
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What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
posted at 2/25/2009 6:30 AM EST
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Posts: 2253
First: 5/7/2008 Last: 7/3/2009 |
Give the cat some affection. That's the only solution. She wants attention fromy our roommate and isn't getting it, so if you want the yowling to stop you'll have to give the attention. Unfortunately, this might end up with the cat being "your" cat, which isn't fair to you. But, if your roommate feeds the cat, cleans the litter box and takes the cat to the vet, then you can't exactly make her get rid of it. Petting a cat is a small price to pay for peace. |
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What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
posted at 2/25/2009 8:10 AM EST
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Posts: 1862
First: 5/30/2008 Last: 12/21/2009 |
[Quote]I agree that playing with her is an excellent idea. She won't play with me. She wants her mama, and she runs whenever anyone else approaches her. I have suggested, repeatedly, that giving her what she wants when she howls is a bad idea. My roommate ignores everything I say. I hesitate to suggest that the real solution is that my roommate either live the rest of her days alone (with the cat) or give her cats to someone who actually knows how to care for them properly.[/Quote] Sometimes when cats run away from you, they are playing. It took me about a year to figure this out [I had dogs previously]. My cat would run and hide behind something, and wait for me to throw something for him to pounce on. Try one of those cat toys on a string. Dangle it near the cat, or around the corner from the cat. He/she should come around in pretty short order. Rubbing catnip on the toy may get the cat in the mood to play too. Good luck. |
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What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
posted at 2/25/2009 9:38 AM EST
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Posts: 2116
First: 7/9/2008 Last: 12/21/2009 |
[Quote]Give the cat some affection. That's the only solution. She wants attention fromy our roommate and isn't getting it, so if you want the yowling to stop you'll have to give the attention. Unfortunately, this might end up with the cat being "your" cat, which isn't fair to you. But, if your roommate feeds the cat, cleans the litter box and takes the cat to the vet, then you can't exactly make her get rid of it. Petting a cat is a small price to pay for peace. [/Quote] A small side note, but I feed her cats, she doesn't buy cat food (preferring to steal it from my other roommate) and no one cleans the litter box. Her other cat has already become my cat. She says I can't take him when we eventually part ways, but... we'll see about that. :) |
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What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
posted at 2/25/2009 10:17 AM EST
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Posts: 1862
First: 5/30/2008 Last: 12/21/2009 |
[Quote]I like the cat nip idea, Alf. Thanks. This cat will do anything for any substance that appears to be edible. :)[/Quote] Sounds like my cat. lol. Don't give them too much catnip; they can get sick from it. A small pinch rubbed on a toy will do just fine. Have fun! |
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What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
posted at 2/25/2009 11:41 AM EST
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Posts: 2253
First: 5/7/2008 Last: 7/3/2009 |
If she doesn't take care of the cat at all- not even buying it food?????? Then I think you need to tell her either she takes care of the cat or the cat has to go. That's neglect. You could report her to the authorities. [Quote][Quote]Give the cat some affection. That's the only solution. She wants attention fromy our roommate and isn't getting it, so if you want the yowling to stop you'll have to give the attention. Unfortunately, this might end up with the cat being "your" cat, which isn't fair to you. But, if your roommate feeds the cat, cleans the litter box and takes the cat to the vet, then you can't exactly make her get rid of it. Petting a cat is a small price to pay for peace. [/Quote] A small side note, but I feed her cats, she doesn't buy cat food (preferring to steal it from my other roommate) and no one cleans the litter box. Her other cat has already become my cat. She says I can't take him when we eventually part ways, but... we'll see about that. :)[/Quote] |
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What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
posted at 2/25/2009 5:09 PM EST
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Posts: 2116
First: 7/9/2008 Last: 12/21/2009 |
[Quote]If she doesn't take care of the cat at all- not even buying it food?????? Then I think you need to tell her either she takes care of the cat or the cat has to go. That's neglect. You could report her to the authorities. [/Quote] I admit, I've thought about reporting her. I make sure the cats are fed and watered. I check to make sure the outdoor cat isn't left out all night. I worry about what will happen when I go on vacation next month. Luckily, our third roommate is responsible. |
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What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
posted at 2/25/2009 6:37 PM EST
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Posts: 460
First: 5/30/2008 Last: 12/16/2009 |
Reporting her? What an odd way to put it. Look, the cat's neglected. If no one wants to spend time with the cat, someone ought to drop the cat off at the MSPCA. The cat's just being a cat. Personally, I'd corner your roommate, get 2 or 3 inches from her face and scream at her for being a irresponsible twat and demand she take responsibilty for her pet before you take it and give it to someone who will take care of it. I'd call her a number of nasty names and remind her that it's a goddamned animal and neither a stuffed toy nor an accessory. But that's just me. |
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What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
posted at 2/26/2009 6:37 AM EST
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Posts: 2253
First: 5/7/2008 Last: 7/3/2009 |
I agree, give her an ultimatum: If you have not bougth cat food, cleaned the cat box and fed and watered the cat every day int he next week, I'm taking your cat to the Animal Rescue League. [Quote]Reporting her? What an odd way to put it. Look, the cat's neglected. If no one wants to spend time with the cat, someone ought to drop the cat off at the MSPCA. The cat's just being a cat. Personally, I'd corner your roommate, get 2 or 3 inches from her face and scream at her for being a irresponsible twat and demand she take responsibilty for her pet before you take it and give it to someone who will take care of it. I'd call her a number of nasty names and remind her that it's a goddamned animal and neither a stuffed toy nor an accessory. But that's just me.[/Quote] |
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What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
posted at 2/28/2009 4:48 AM EST
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Posts: 5187
First: 12/15/2005 Last: 12/21/2009 |
---- Her other cat has already become my cat. She says I can't take him when we eventually part ways, but... we'll see about that. :) ----- Hi lucy, Your irresponsible room mate have ANOTHER cat (which now is yours)? If this room mate is not taking care of her cats, she should not have any. Well to answer your OP. You said the cat keep crying for hours in front of her bedroom door? Well, if you have tried everything else - I would just get up and let her (the cat) in. Ok, so your RM will throw her in the basement and the cat will cry there. Let her out of the basement and open your room mates door. She is so inconsiderate to you and your 3rd room mate, that I do not think you need to be considerate to her. I hope your emotions will not take over, so you keep her cat - whenever you two parts. It is her cat, and she should be responsible for it. It is not fair to put this burden on you - unless you really love the cat to death. With burden I only mean - finding another place to live and someone to take care of him/her whenever you want to go someplace for a longer period of time. I know the daughter to my secretary had the hardest time to find a place to live, where she could keep the cat. So she ended up moving back to her mom, cat in tow. Her mom lost her couch and her favorite chair in the process - and she had to get rid of most of her plants. For almost a year, I heard nothing but complaints every morning she would get to work. She finally gave her daughter an ultimatum. Your cat needs to go. |
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What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
posted at 3/1/2009 12:16 PM EST
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Posts: 2116
First: 7/9/2008 Last: 12/21/2009 |
You're all right. What can I say? It is difficult to give her an ultimatum when she hasn't been home in four days. She decided to go skiing, without informing me or my other roommate, without purchasing cat food, without filling the water dish, without cleaning the litter box, and without asking anyone to feed them. I'm starting to think that I could say nothing and give the cat away and she wouldn't notice. |
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What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
posted at 3/2/2009 3:41 AM EST
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Posts: 2424
First: 5/11/2006 Last: 12/21/2009 |
"I'm starting to think that I could say nothing and give the cat away and she wouldn't notice" If I were in your position, I would talk to your other roommate and the two of you together face her with a joint "majority" decision - she obviously is not pet owner material and shouldn't have those cats, and that she can't keep them and continue to live there. It's not fair to the cats or to the two of you who are left to care for them and to worry about their welfare. In the meantime, be asking around for someone who is truly looking for a "pet", and be prepared with a name(s) of someone ready and willing to take the cat(s) and give them a home. I put the plural in parenthesis, because it seems as tho you yourself may want to keep the "other" cat. Think long and hard about that before you do, it's an ongoing commitment that involves care of the cat when you may want to go away for a few days. Good luck. tt
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What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
posted at 3/2/2009 6:30 AM EST
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Posts: 2253
First: 5/7/2008 Last: 7/3/2009 |
Bring her cats to the ARL, explain the situation to them. When your roommate comes back, if she wants her cats, she'll have to submit an adoption application and I'm sure she won't pass the screening process. [Quote]You're all right. What can I say? It is difficult to give her an ultimatum when she hasn't been home in four days. She decided to go skiing, without informing me or my other roommate, without purchasing cat food, without filling the water dish, without cleaning the litter box, and without asking anyone to feed them. I'm starting to think that I could say nothing and give the cat away and she wouldn't notice.[/Quote] |
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What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
posted at 3/2/2009 6:57 AM EST
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Posts: 2424
First: 5/11/2006 Last: 12/21/2009 |
I don't know what part of the country you live in, but around here (MA) it's on the news that shelters (ARL included) are running out of funds to house and feed the animals. So many people aren't able to afford to keep them now and are abandoning them. Much better, if possible, would be to find home for the two cats yourself. tt
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What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
posted at 3/3/2009 7:39 AM EST
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Posts: 818
First: 5/17/2005 Last: 12/16/2009 |
Try a synthetic phermone dispenser for cats like Feliway. I use it with my cat and it works wonders. http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/behaviortraining/a/Feliway.htm |
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What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
posted at 3/3/2009 7:43 AM EST
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Posts: 818
First: 5/17/2005 Last: 12/16/2009 |
The problem is not the cat, its your roommate and her neglect of this animal. It sounds like she has no business being a pet owner. Cats are not a lot of work, but that does not mean they can be neglected and treated the way its being treated. My suggestion is to talk to the MSPCA or your local animal control, they may have suggestions as to how you can deal with the situation and any legal ramifications for her actions - which may prompt her to change or give up the animal. |
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Re: What to Do with a Cat that Won't Stop Crying?
posted at 4/8/2009 4:58 PM EDT
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Posts: 2
First: 4/8/2009 Last: 6/8/2009 |
This is a real question- not an argument! Why would a cat cry for attention if he/she has at least one other cat to play with? It sounds like "bad roommate" has two cats and if she's stealing cat food from "third roommate" there might even be another cat in the house. And why would the cat bond with the person in the house who feeds and plays with her least? Are there other reasons why cats would howl? Thank you. |