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The litter tray

constant miaowing

9 replies

smokinaces · 09/02/2013 18:32

I need help before my cat gets rehomed!

He is an indoor/outdoor cat but seems to prefer indoors. In day he is fine, porters about, sleeps. He is allowed in kitchen, front room and hall but not bedrooms (door kept shut) I work so he is used to being alone. He is nearly seven, neutered, in good health. Eats dry food which is always topped up and drinks water.

But at night he is a mare. It's got worse since we moved in December.

If indoors he spends the early hours scratching the doors and miaowing constantly, waking the whole house. I can't deal with him disturbing the kids or me for that matter. He never used to.

So I've been putting him out when I go to bed. All ok. But as soon as I wake at six am I hear him. He literally sits at the door mioawing constantly. Absolutely constantly. And by all accounts has been a while. Not so bad now but when neighbours open their windows in spring they will go mad. It drives me mad when I'm having a shower and can hear him constantly for the ten minutes before I go downstairs.

So what can I do? I refuse to allow him in the bedrooms. Ever. I am reluctant to have him indoors at night. But the noise is so so loud.

Would getting a dog kennel style shelter outside help do you think? There is a small amount of shelter by the front door but he seems to prefer the back. I could put food and water inside it for him? I make sure he is well fed before he goes out BTW.

Ideas?

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thecatneuterer · 09/02/2013 18:36

It sounds as though he would be miserable if shut in a kennel outside. The obvious answer is just to let him in the bedroom. Why don't you want to do that?

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smokinaces · 09/02/2013 18:40

I meant like an open kennel so he can go in and out of it, give him more shelter etc?

I don't want him in the bedrooms for several reasons. Dirt and bugs etc from outside. The fact he has twice pooed under the bed instead of the clean litter tray he otherwise uses fine. When he gas managed to get in (kids left door open etc) he spends the whole night waking me or them by jumping on our faces/bodies. And I find it really unhygenic personally for a cat that goes outside to be near or on the beds.

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thecatneuterer · 09/02/2013 18:46

He would be cold and miserable in a kennel. He is obviously miaowing because he wants to be with you. Cats are cleaner than most people and there is no harm that can come to you from letting them in your bedroom or on your bed. It is of course up to you though.

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LeChatRouge · 09/02/2013 18:50

My cat was exactly the same as yours, constantly miaowing....constantly! She followed me around the house, never more than 2 feet from me, rubbing against my legs whilst I was on the loo, following me to the washing line......like a small miaowing shadow. But even worse, we have wisteria growing up the front of the house and if I put her out, she would climb up the plant and scratch and miaow outside my bedroom window.

She is not allowed in bedrooms either and has constant dry food and water. But now, even though I am not a fan, I have started giving her meat cat food.......and she is SO much more content, sleeps nicely in her basket for hours, doesn't rush to the kitchen if I walk through the hall. I think mine was just a bit hungry.....is it worth a try?

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smokinaces · 09/02/2013 19:04

Lechat I might try then. What do you think, wet food before he goes out so he is definitely full? Just once a day? He is like a shadow in the day at times, drives me a bit mad when he tries to break my neck. I don't like wet food but if its a pouch once a day and stops the noise at five am I will do it!

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smokinaces · 09/02/2013 19:06

Thecat, I couldn't. Before he was an outdoors cat (two years ago) I was more relaxed about bedrooms but the constant waking me drove me insane. And to be honest the kids hate him in their room as much if not more.

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merlottits · 09/02/2013 19:08

Gosh, I have no idea. I would never allow my cats in my bedroom either but have never have this problem. I have to say it wouldn't make me change my mind about letting the cat in my bedroom. Increase the food offered in the day in case it's hunger?

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LeChatRouge · 10/02/2013 00:47

smokin I am giving her supermarket own brand pouches at 8am and 5pm, still leaving biscuits available all day too. Works out about 25p per meal. Needless to say, she LOVES them! Let me know how you get on.....

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smokinaces · 10/02/2013 09:16

Thanks lechat. He went out of own accord last night when boyfriend left so he's getting used to it. Will try a pouch or two as well I think.

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