Pets
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My dear sweet kitty has changed recently. She has always had a mind of her own, but in recent months she has developed such a fixation for being in the open window (screened, she's indoor only) that it is very difficult to help her cope when the window must be closed at night.
We live on the bank of a big river, and next door to a public park, and so I don't feel safe leaving the window open at night. It's very dark and someone could wander on to this property.
She spends most of her waking hours there in the window, watching birds, boats, squirrels, etc. She has taken to refusing to let me shut the window. I move her, but then she cries and cries and cries and cries and cries.... Making it impossible for us people to sleep at night. I have to shut her in the bathroom, where I have made a cozy place for her with bed, food, water, toys, etc. She's safe, and relatively comfortable, but it makes me sad.
Previously to this addiction, which came with warm weather this year and has never happened in the other six years she's been with us, she always slept on my bed. Snuggling close in the colder months, and not so close in warmer.
I'm very sad about this change. I don't know what we will do when the weather is too cold to keep the window open in daytime.
Any thoughts? I've been using Feliway, but no change in this behavior. She's thirteen years old, by the way. We rescued her from shelter six years ago -- she had not been spayed and was living with five other cats so she is well socialized and likely was a mama more than once. A very loving, sweet cat and good companion.
Loki Liesmith
(4,602 posts)Rebl2
(13,303 posts)is older, and I know you are going to think this is silly, but maybe she might have dementia? Seems like I have heard or read recently sometimes older cats can develop a form of it. Maybe once the weather gets cooler she will become her old self again.
Grasswire2
(13,564 posts)I've had many a dear cat over the years, most of which lived to be elders. I haven't had one before this that became fixated on something so strongly.
I think I might try encouraging her being away from the window at times during the day, even if it's just sitting on my lap.
She is healthy and I think I'll schedule an appointment for her just to make sure nothing's going on.
thats a good idea
3catwoman3
(23,812 posts)...developed something called night howling. Our vet put him on a cat appropriate dose of Elavil, which human take for depression, and the night howling stopped.
CountAllVotes
(20,854 posts)She is BORED.
BORED.
Try to finds things to play with her with.
Does she have a cat scratcher?
If not get her one.
Keep her busy with new things, even some new treats.
You need to distract her from the window so try other distractions.
How about another cat? Ever considered that?
Take care Grasswire2!
Grasswire2
(13,564 posts)She gets new treats regularly.
Does not play with toys by herself, but will occasionally play with a human on the other end of a toy. Not so much these days. Goodness, she has a furry toy that actually purrs, and another feathery toy that tweets like a bird.
Can't have another cat, although I would love that. I've had as many as four cats at once, but can't in this dwelling.
This behavior is recent. She has lived with us six years -- never did really play with "things" except little matchbox cars that she would roll down the hallway. She has always spent a good part of her time burrowed under her blanket.
I suspect that she spent a good part of her life being a mama. But I can't give her that life. She was neutered by the shelter before she came to live with us.
viva la
(3,226 posts)I think as they are failing, their eyes aren't as acute, and the familiar view might be comforting to them.
She doesn't like it when the window is closed? It could be the sounds or the breeze that she wants. You might try some substitutes, like recording a night's noises and playing it all night, and putting a little fan nearby.
Will she sit at another window, like in your bedroom?
My cat got this way in the few months before he died. I think he just wanted all the familiar comfort he could get at that point.
Spoil her a little bit. But if it's not safe, you do have to close that window at night. The bathroom is a good way to keep her comfortable. You might have to cuddle with her on her own terms now, when she's in the window, or in the bathroom. She sounds like a sweetie!
Grasswire2
(13,564 posts)LOL.....she gets a LOT of cuddling in the bathroom, too. When I go in at night, I spend half an hour with her on my lap, snuggling her. She adores that. She loves snuggling. And she likes me to sing to her. When I go in again in early morning (way before I am up for the day haha) I let her out, and she races for the window.
Maybe it does also have to do with the breeze. I do not know if she was indoor only in her previous home. But she has never ONCE tried to get outside here, which is astonishingly wonderful.
I would post a picture here, if DU only made it easier. LOL.
flying rabbit
(4,612 posts)open it part way, but block it so no one can get in (like a stick that prevents it from opening all the way). That way the smells and sound will still be available.
Grasswire2
(13,564 posts)That's what is frustrating. No good solution that will give her what she wants. And lord knows I want her to be happy. Maybe when cold weather comes she will be happy to snuggle under a blanket again.
flying rabbit
(4,612 posts)Sneederbunk
(14,207 posts)Irish_Dem
(45,619 posts)Check with your vet.
spinbaby
(15,073 posts)We had a cat who we thought was getting dementia, but turned out to have cancer, which had apparently spread to his brain.
Irish_Dem
(45,619 posts)SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Leave tv on for her?
CountAllVotes
(20,854 posts)I have one because of the fires.
When I turn it up the air that comes out of it is so fresh and pure and cool. My cats just love it!
I find them hunkered down around it when it is on.
Great idea ... sound is like a white noise machine almost!
Grasswire2
(13,564 posts)...and she's not alone in the room, ever, unless both hoomans go out at once.
Good thought, though, thanks.
Phoenix61
(16,951 posts)the window sill/screen/breeze help distract her. See what happens if you turn a small fan on.
Grasswire2
(13,564 posts)There's a dispensary just a few blocks away, although I don't have the first clue how to shop for it.
hydrolastic
(479 posts)Our american domestic cat was howling and became demanding. She was eating and drinking a lot we didn't notice it because it was over several years then when we got the diagnosis we had the radiation treatment. She came back to normal after that. A side benefit was that she became the cat we remembered. She is super happy now. looks great and eats normal. But the change in her personality was remarkable. Aaron
Grasswire2
(13,564 posts)Ziggysmom
(3,374 posts)a few weeks. He was one of those cats who could vomit up the smallest pill, so we used the transdermal medication you apply to the inner ear.
The one boy we have now will sing bad opera at night if we don't play with him before bedtime. 10-15 minutes of laser dot toy or "Da Bird" wand toy to tire him out does the trick.