Rescued Cat Now Vocalizing and Anxious?

[HA! Support]

This is Kim in Support posting on behalf of member AnnaH.

My 4½-year-old cat, Jinx, was born on the streets as a feral. I started feeding her and her bonded brother, Junior, when they were kittens. They were trapped, fixed, and brought indoors at around six months old. Jinx was likely the runt of the litter.

She’s very affectionate at night and will cuddle, and sometimes during daytime naps too. Over time, though, I’ve started to wonder if she may be special needs or struggle with anxiety. She cries and meows excessively, often without a clear reason, and I have a hard time understanding what she wants from me.

She doesn’t seem very interested in toys. I’ve tried many interactive and enrichment toys—she’ll engage briefly and then suddenly run away. Often she goes into the back hallway or laundry room and cries for me. When I go to her, she walks away, which leaves me confused and feeling helpless. She’s very food-motivated and constantly wants treats, but obviously I can’t give them all day. I do use a snuffle mat and treat puzzles, and she enjoys chasing treats.

I also tried harness training as enrichment. At first she was more confident and curious, but one day while we were in the alley a car came through and scared her badly. She panicked when she realized she couldn’t escape because of the harness, and she hissed when I tried to pick her up to get her to safety. I was new to harness training and probably could have handled things better, but since then her confidence has really changed. Now she’s fearful and will only stay on the back porch. She won’t venture into the driveway or beyond.

She does have a catio, which she loves, so she does get some outdoor stimulation. Still, the crying continues, and I don’t know how to soothe her or meet her needs. I use Stress Stopper when I travel, and I usually give Rescue Remedy calming drops. Someone recently recommended Zylkene. I’ve even tried working with an animal communicator, but it didn’t help.

I truly want to figure out how to help her feel more secure and comfortable, but I also want to be honest that the constant crying has started to take a toll on me and causes me stress as well. I love her deeply and just want to understand what she needs and how to help her feel more at ease—for both of our well-being.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Hey Anna!

My Aviva kitty also cries mournfully as if she is anxious or stressed. But she's not. She's just, very, very smart and very opinionated! She loves Maya and Tiggy but often cries lodly for no apparent reason, even if they are just a little too close to her.

Aviva also screams like a banchee when she and Tiggy go in their room to eat away from the dog (and us). She's also super food motivated and will steal whatever we're eating off our plates (last night she grabbed some veggies and pasta!).

She cries and meows excessively, often without a clear reason, and I have a hard time understanding what she wants from me.

Have you asked her a few times? Maybe take 5 cohesive breaths (5 in, hold for 5, 5 out, and hold for five) then ask her and get quiet. And see what comes to you. Do this a fw times if you don't get a clear answer.

Also consider other communicators. It may take your working with 3 or 4 different people to hear her consciousness clearly.

. She’s very food-motivated and constantly wants treats, but obviously I can’t give them all day. I do use a snuffle mat and treat puzzles, and she enjoys chasing treats.

And maybe use her food motivation to train her. When I wrote that, I realize that I should do the same with Aviva (I'll start tonight before one of their two meals tonight).

I truly want to figure out how to help her feel more secure and comfortable, but I also want to be honest that the constant crying has started to take a toll on me and causes me stress as well.

Absolutely! Keep doing what you're doing, try engaging with her even more, teach her tricks, use more snuffle mats etc.

Is she being treated homeopathically? That can help.

 

[SelinaR]

Training is a great activity. Are you familiar with clicker training? my cats will all sit on command, jump up, or off things, and sit up. Cosmo will even lie down and roll over, which is entertaining for guests. It become a game, but also great for teaching them do do things they don't like. Meeka hates having his harness put on, but consistent rewards and he's not growling anymore.

Yes, leash training cats is a challenge. I've made all the mistakes. But maybe try again when you have the clicker training part down.

 

[Dr. Christina]

AnnaH,
We would love to hear if you have tried some of the wonderful above suggestions. You are doing so much already so I know Jinx loves you and is grateful.

I was equally frustrated when watching a tiny dog in my house for a week - sometimes I knew what she wanted when pawing at my leg...often not.

You may also want to try a different animal communicator...or maybe...take one of the animal communication classes to become even better at doing it yourself. Maybe a consult with Gail Pope or Anitra Frazier ( you can listen to webinars by each of them).

Do continue the dialog here, and if you can make the Monday night webinars live, post what you have newly tried.

Dr. Christina