Uncover the Mysterious World of Cat Crying: Surprising Reasons Behind Unusual Feline Behavior

Dr. Ali Shaheen | Pharm-D
6 min readJan 17, 2023

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Why is my Cat Crying?

All cats vary and there are many different types of cries and meows, identifying the reason behind these cries can help ease the problem/issue your feline may be facing and what they are trying to communicate

Cats express their feelings in different ways than us human through vocalizations

Jackson Galaxy, renowned cat behavior and wellness expert, host of Animal Planet’s “My Cat From Hell” and NY Times best-selling author.

Feline vocalization is how cats communicate in different ways whether it be purring, hissing, or meowing. Dogs have about 10 where cats have over a 100 different vocalization

Similarly, cat’s crying or excessive meows are due to a number of reasons.

There has been a lot of research done on feline vocalizations; you may read this in detail to know more about vocalization in cats

If you’re here it’s probably because you own a cat or your thinking of getting one

If it’s your first time owning a cat, you may be surprised by the unique behaviors of cats, their way of communication.

CAT’S ONLY MEOW WITH A HUMAN

A cute cat starring at the camera, sitting in a funny way
Photo by Sarah Arista on Unsplash

Cats communicate with each other through scent, territorial marking, body language, and vocalization

While kittens meow at their mother letting them know of cold or hunger, but when grown into adults cats stop meowing at each other, they only meow at humans as they identify at an early age that humans do not understand these signals and so they rely on meowing for communication.

In part because meowing gets them what they want.

Cats may also meow at their humans in order to greet them showing their affection

Cats are gentle creatures; they’re social when around groups of people but when left alone or isolated cats can begin to meow aggressively to grab attention.

And it should not be taken lightly as a cat meowing excessively may also be the reason for an underlying disorder.

Aging cats are at risk of developing thyroid and kidney disease and should be taken to a vet for proper diagnosis

CAT’S CRYING FOR ATTENTION

A cat screaming and crying with her eyes closed

Meowing turns into crying when a cat is not being given proper attention for a longer period of times

Nowadays it’s common for pet owners to leave their feline friend at home for work, while not much to us; it may take a toll on a cat.

Cats are predatory creatures they want to be stimulated and leaving them isolated for long periods of time makes them bored.

Setting a certain time to play with your cat helps stimulate and is good for their mental health, when feeding them try to set up a maze or puzzle for them to solve in order to get the food this helps improve a cat’s cognitive ability as well.

CAT’S CRYING BECAUSE THEIR HUNGRY

Cat owners know no matter how much a cat is fed they’re always starved for more.

A cat may cry in order to convince the owner that they’re hungry if every time you walk past your cat and she cries it may be a good time to check the cause.

A cat may have contracted worms, these worms eat all the nutrients from your pet leaving them asking for more, these worms can also be transferred to humans so it’s better to get rid of them as soon as possible.

Many pets suffer from diseases without their human owners knowing, similarly a cat crying for food maybe because she suffers from hypothyroidism, kidney problems, or feline diabetes also cause a cat to overeat

Behaviors such as when a cat asks for food but then does not eat when given may indicate gum disease or food allergy.

If you’re worried about your feline friend it good to appoint a meeting with a vet for proper diagnosis

If your cat does not have any medical condition but still keeps begging for food then you should follow a proper step-by-step diet plan guided by a veterinarian nutritionist for them.

An adorable cat rolling aroung and playing

Most cats when grown lose interest in toys, watching birds and out of boredom eating becomes the new hobby for them.

Consult a feline nutritionist for proper guidance about diet plans; you should also make a cat work for its food as stimulation can help them become more active.

FELINE DEPRESSION

Depression is not only found in humans but cats can also fall prey to anxiety and stress making these gentle creatures aggressive.

Under stimulation, an excess of unused energy and lack of play opportunities can lead to depression and excessive nocturnal crying.

Signs that indicate whether your cat suffers from anxiety

A depressed and unhappy cat

AGGRESSION

Aggression in cats may be a result of depression which may cause them to become more reactive and cry.

LOSS IN INTEREST

A depressed cat may lose interest in activities. If a cat stays isolated for long periods of time it may fall into depression.

INCREASED SLEEPING

An increase in sleeping can also be caused due to a cat being stressed and sad.

NOT GROOMING

Cats that are depressed do not groom themselves as much when compared to a normal cat.

CHANGES IN APPETITE

A change in behavior causes the cat to not eat as properly the snacks they usually enjoy but suddenly are not eating now as much.

What should you do if your cat shows signs of depression?

CONSULT A DOCTOR

Depression in a cat can be a manifestation of an underlying serious medical condition including hypothyroidism, kidney failure, pancreatitis, or feline diabetes.

SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR CAT

The modern world is stressful but it is also important to take care of your cat, make a timetable in which you give attention and time to your pet, play with her, spend quality with her

STIMULATING CAT WITH REWARDING SYSTEM

Cats are predatory creatures; stimulate your pet by providing her with food puzzles and mazes. When the cat complete the puzzle she is rewarded with food or snacks which can excite her predatory instincts

CATS CRYING OUT IN PAIN

A cat crying should not be taken lightly, as to whether or not cats are domestic, in the predatory world showing signs of weakness can get you killed.

A cat crying maybe because she is in pain which can be due to a number of reasons if you see your cat crying, it’s better to take her to a vet but some common sign that can indicate her pain are;

AGGRESSIVE NATURE

A sphynx cat starring at the camera aggressively

When cats are in pain they do not want to be stroked, if you see cats being agitated when you try to pet her and shows her aggression it may be because she is in pain

CHANGE IN FACIAL EXPRESSION

● Their ears may become more pressed

● Their pupil dilate more than normal

● Their face, cheeks, and nose can appear tenser

Cats are good at disguising their pain; some may be more obvious than others in showing pain

BEHAVIORAL CHANGE

Cats suffering from pain may show alternate behaviors and it may vary differently in every cat

● Limping

● Hiding away

● Increased agitation

● Poor temperament

● Decreased grooming

● Sleeping more than usual

● Being lazy, reduced movement

● Reduced appetite

HOW TO HELP A CAT CRYING?

Photo by Yuliya Kota from Pexels

Cats are complex creatures, crying can be caused for a number of reasons like depression, hunger, isolation, or an underlying disease

Remember to spend more quality time with your feline friend, give attention to your pet.

And if the crying persists for long and you’re not able to identify the issue then whether it’s your first time or you’re an experienced cat owner you should always take your cat to the veterinarian.

Disclosure: Some of the links in the post are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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Dr. Ali Shaheen | Pharm-D
Dr. Ali Shaheen | Pharm-D

Written by Dr. Ali Shaheen | Pharm-D

I am a doctor and i stutter. I have a passion for sharing my life experiences and inspiring others. My ultimate goal is to support and uplift those around me