“Animal people don’t go away!” — an
area animal advocate
area animal advocate
(who doesn’t go away), quoting a frustrated opponent
 |
| @ Lord & Taylor, NYC |
In mentioning why she reads to animals — something I had not
understood the value of, and even suspected was hokey — the woman quoted above made
the reasons clear to me: (1) people reading to animals never have an angry
voice (which some animals may already be painfully familiar with, so while
being read to, they hear a nicer side of humans) and (2) as they listen, animals
get used to human voices — which can be alien to some of them.
As animals may not be used to human voices, some humans aren’t used to
some animal sounds, like cats crying in the night.
some animal sounds, like cats crying in the night.
Our older cat, Harry, started singing out a few months ago. To us, he sounded lonely, mournful and maybe
in pain. (Yes, our default reaction to
such things is to fear the worst.) Once
when I heard it, I went downstairs to him and carried him upstairs in the
dark. Not smart, or even helpful for the
next time.
in pain. (Yes, our default reaction to
such things is to fear the worst.) Once
when I heard it, I went downstairs to him and carried him upstairs in the
dark. Not smart, or even helpful for the
next time.
 |
| Harry |
After that, I asked a cat specialist-friend about it, spoke with our two cats’
vet and read online about the subject.
Here are the possible reasons for cats vocalizing at night that seemed most
useful to me . . .
useful to me . . .
·
Health
problems. Have the cat thoroughly examined by a vet asap. Rule out possible problems like kidney or
renal failure or diabetes, and get a thyroid check — and maybe vision and
hearing too.
Health
problems. Have the cat thoroughly examined by a vet asap. Rule out possible problems like kidney or
renal failure or diabetes, and get a thyroid check — and maybe vision and
hearing too.
·
Consider
whether the cat might be frustrated or anxious — maybe from some kind of
household change — or even just bored and wanting attention.
Consider
whether the cat might be frustrated or anxious — maybe from some kind of
household change — or even just bored and wanting attention.
·
Older (“geriatric”)
cats could be experiencing Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, or CDS — also
called “Feline Cognitive Dysfunction,” or FCD — described as “the onset of
dementia-like behavioral changes” in older cats and dogs. Besides changing their sleep cycle so they
sleep more during the day and roam at night, CDS can make cats confused, anxious
and disoriented.
Older (“geriatric”)
cats could be experiencing Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, or CDS — also
called “Feline Cognitive Dysfunction,” or FCD — described as “the onset of
dementia-like behavioral changes” in older cats and dogs. Besides changing their sleep cycle so they
sleep more during the day and roam at night, CDS can make cats confused, anxious
and disoriented.
So now, with possible causes known, what can we do to head off nighttime
serenades? Depending on what might be
causing the wailing, yowling or caterwauling,
try these things:
serenades? Depending on what might be
causing the wailing, yowling or caterwauling,
try these things:
·
add a nightlight in the area where the cat
sleeps
add a nightlight in the area where the cat
sleeps
·
maintain predictability of the cat’s
environment and schedule
maintain predictability of the cat’s
environment and schedule
·
de-clutter the house to eliminate obstacles
de-clutter the house to eliminate obstacles
·
add litter boxes that are easy to find and get
into
add litter boxes that are easy to find and get
into
·
leave a radio on low so the cat has company
leave a radio on low so the cat has company
·
be
sensitive to heat and humidity in the cat’s area and be generous with extra
blankets — older cats seek warmth
be
sensitive to heat and humidity in the cat’s area and be generous with extra
blankets — older cats seek warmth
 |
| Lavender |
· increase
activity during the day and evening to try and re-establish normal sleeping and
waking hours
Assuring a crying cat’s comfort in all possible ways, including
practicing compassion and lavishing with love — that has to be the best
overall response.
practicing compassion and lavishing with love — that has to be the best
overall response.
Fight USDA blackout
In February 2017,
shortly after Trump’s inauguration, the US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) . “suddenly
removed tens of thousands of animal welfare records from its (till then) publicly accessible
website. These documents described
violations at federally licensed animal facilities — including commercial dog breeders, zoos and research
labs — and any resulting enforcement actions taken by the USDA.”
shortly after Trump’s inauguration, the US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) . “suddenly
removed tens of thousands of animal welfare records from its (till then) publicly accessible
website. These documents described
violations at federally licensed animal facilities — including commercial dog breeders, zoos and research
labs — and any resulting enforcement actions taken by the USDA.”
Totally unilateral,
this action has left all those involved with animal welfare in the dark about
which facilities are not complying with animal-protection laws and whether the
USDA is taking any action against them. When
offenders can continue offending, animals suffer.
this action has left all those involved with animal welfare in the dark about
which facilities are not complying with animal-protection laws and whether the
USDA is taking any action against them. When
offenders can continue offending, animals suffer.
Protest this USDA
action by signing the ASPCA’s petition: www.aspca.org/usdablackout.
action by signing the ASPCA’s petition: www.aspca.org/usdablackout.
#