Excessive meowing Constantly walking around or circling your legs Jumping Stealing things or knocking objects off tables Biting, clawing, or other aggressive acts
Common signs of pain in cats can include hunching, hiding, lethargy, and decreased interest in their surroundings. Extra meowing can also be a sign, especially if it is accompanied by decreased interaction or irregular behavior.
Discuss your senior cat’s behavior with its vet. Have them rule out or treat an underlying physical condition. Ask your vet to check your cat’s hearing and eyesight. Increased meowing can be a cat’s way of trying to figure out its environment, and your vet will be able to tell you if this is the case. Ask the vet about treating age-related behavior issues with anti-anxiety medication, cat pheromones, and by making your home more comfortable for your senior cat.
For example, if your cat whines and meows excessively at night, it might mean your cat is lonely. Keep in mind some breeds, like Siamese, tend to be more vocal than others. Aggression, chewing, and eating non-food items can indicate boredom. It’s easy to accidentally reinforce behaviors like persistent rubbing and demanding to be pet. If you consistently respond to these behaviors, your cat might end up constantly craving human contact.
When you first start ignoring undesirable behavior, note that it might get worse for a brief period of time. [6] X Research source
Reward your cat when it’s calm and relaxed, but don’t disturb it while it’s sleeping or sneak up on it. Try to interact with your cat when you first get home. Coming home and not playing with them can bring on unwanted behaviors. Give your cat a little attention when you come through the door to acknowledge that you are available to them once you’re home.
If you free feed your cat, consider feeding your cat at scheduled meal times. Try to schedule specific games to play with your cat and involve all members of your family. This helps your cat feel more connected and involved with the whole family, which makes them less likely to be destructive.
Try playing with your cat for 15 to 20 minutes before each meal to simulate hunting.
Monitor your cat during treasure hunts or when it plays with a food dispensing puzzle. Feed it if it can’t find or get to food and seems frustrated. Look into toys that release treats when you interact with them. These can be great to help stimulate your cat when you’re not home.
You can also discourage wildlife from entering your property by getting rid of bird feeders and keeping all trash receptacles tightly lidded. Remember that your cat bringing in animals like small rodents and birds is a sign of love. If these gifts of affection truly bother you, keep your cat strictly indoors.
