My cat cries...

[Reverie.]

Hey!

So, I've noticed when I'm at home and with very few people or on my own, my cat sits in the hall way and cries. It's usually pretty much silent, maybe the radio or TV but nothing much more. The fact she cries when its this quiet leads me to believe she cries when she thinks, or is, on her own. I don't like the idea of her crying though, so I was wondering what you could suggest. We've tried having the TV or radio on so she has background noise, we've left lights on I think too. Oh, and she cries of a night time too when everyone is sleeping, sometimes I wake upto her in the hall way crying. It's nothing to do with a previous home because she came to us as a kitten from one of my old friends, so I know it's not to do with that.
Any suggestions would be awesome.

Thanks!
Hollie.

[VampirePrincess]

May I ask what breed she is? Some are more prone to this than others. I have a Siamese cat who howls and cries nonstop or gets very depressed if anyone is missing from the home. It's not so much that she thinks she's alone, but she knows that someone important is missing and she's afraid of change, she's afraid they won't come back. It's like the child missing their mother anxiety. They're not alone because they're with father/babysitter/whoever but they don't know where mommy is.

I think it's something very similar with your cat, though potentially a little different (my cat rarely cries at night). I want you to think about what's going on when she isn't crying. And then do that - or try to. And if you can't (for example, if you've set every condition except you being there and she still cries) then try something else. Find something that she can comfort herself with It won't stop the crying entirely...but if she really likes one of these things, it'll help.

Heating pad
Stuffed animal (purring cat ones available)
Catnip or other toys
Very soft or a "hidden" (tent) bed
Clothes or other things with family members scents on them
A special treat she gets from you when she doesn't cry (more of a dog thing, but worth a try!)

Those are just some things I've tried with my cats. One likes a combination of catnip and tent bed, the other one likes the heating pad. But cats I've owned in the past have liked other things off the list too. Good luck in finding a method that works for you!

[Reverie.]

I believe she's a British Shorthair, though I could be wrong, i'm not good with breeds at all. Thank you so much for that reply, I'll try to sort something out next time she's going to be home on her own. I appreciate this, Thank you!!

[TheBabyEater]

I think it's time for a new kitten =3
But in all seriousness, it's a lot like a puppy's anxiety when you leave. Eventually, they do start to realize you are coming home, but like the person above said, there are things you can do to help. I leave the radio on for my bird when we leave, but he's s stupid he think's is a person anyway. Try getting her a bigger toy, but something she can carry around. One of my cats wanders around the house holding something larger than their other cat toys, sometimes a sock, in her mouth meowing the most pathetic meow ever. Maybe she just feels lonely, or is afraid to even be alone in the future.