Help with crying

[F2bguy]

Hi,

I have an F2B and F4C. They are 5 years old and neutered.

With the exception of the 9 months I had to endure a nightmare "full time" 12 hour a day job....I have been with these two cats almost 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

So, suffice to say that these cats and me are bonded.

With that being said, I am currently living in a new apartment....and for reasons I won't get into....I did not tell them I own a cat.

Long story short, the cats meow EXTREMELY loudly at random hours of the day or night.

The both like going into the bathroom (I share a wall with a neighbor) and screaming at the top of their lungs for no apparent reason.

I usually rush in to see if anything is the matter, and they just chirp at me like nothing is wrong.


Can you please give me some tips on how to prevent this concert from happening. I'm afraid we will be kicked out. I'm only here for 6 months and then will be in a much better living situation/apartment.


Until then...please help me with the loud meowing. What does it mean? How can I stop it?

I usually yell "NO!" and throw a very small glass of lukewarm tap water in their general direction. I realize this is not the best thing to do...but I try to reinforce the word "NO!" with water and hope it does the trick.

thanks

 

[F2bguy]

And for the record...the cats used to meow loudly in the old apartment too (where I lived for 2 years)

 

[John Popp]

The water thing isn't a good idea, and it isn't very helpful. They want some attention, and even negative attention is worth sticking their necks out for.

If there is a time of day that this happens more frequently, target it as either a feeding or play time.

To hold down sound travel, 4'x8' sheets of foam core and cheap convoluted foam mattress toppers. Use duct tape to connect two sheets of foam core so they can stand up vertically in a V. With Spray glue, attach the mattress toppers. For about $100 you can make two "V Flat" sound dampeners and I'm sure the cats will have fun tearing them up.

 

[WitchyWoman]

Close the bathroom door. If the litter pans are in there, move them someplace else. Might be inconvenient but it's better than being evicted.

 

[F2bguy]

Hey John, thanks for the idea....I can try something like that. And you're right...I think the big one craves negative attention. I try not to give it to him, but he knows how to manipulate me.

They also chase after each other like two bats outta hell. I am worried the neighbor beneath me will complain as it sounds like I have two NFL running backs living here.

Witchy....the litter box is in my home office. I do close the bathroom and that does stop it.


Is this normal behavior for Savannahs? The loud meowing for no apparent reason? I feed them 2 cats of wet in the morning and 2 cans of wet for lunch. They have a huge bowl of dry food to eat whenever they feel like it.

I haven't gotten around to buying them new toys (the old ones got lost in the recent move).

 

[John Popp]

I don't think they are craving negative attention, but in lieu of positive attention any attention will do.

Singing the songs of their people is not solely a savannah trait and our dsh cats were far worse than the SVs.

Since you are feeding some dry food, try placing it in a puzzle feeder while you're away. They can burn a fair amount of energy getting the kibble out and it serves some of their need to hunt.

Hope that helps.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I thought the same as Witchy as the bathroom seemed to be the problem space...

You've lived with your cats for 5 years, whatever they do is "normal" for them. Loud meowing for no apparent reason probably only means that you have not discerned their reason as cats generally do have reasons for their actions, just we don't always understand.

I would advise the hunt, eat, sleep routine... the vigorous play session at night followed by a late night snack and then hope they settle and sleep the night through.

 

[F2bguy]

I don't think they are craving negative attention, but in lieu of positive attention any attention will do.

Singing the songs of their people is not solely a savannah trait and our dsh cats were far worse than the SVs.

Since you are feeding some dry food, try placing it in a puzzle feeder while you're away. They can burn a fair amount of energy getting the kibble out and it serves some of their need to hunt.

Hope that helps.

lol yes, they love singing me the songs of their people.

Can you recommend a good puzzle feeder? That sounds like fun...

 

[WitchyWoman]

Can you recommend a good puzzle feeder?

Trixie makes a variety of puzzle toys for cats. https://www.trixie.de/heimtierbedarf/en/shop/Cat/Activities22/StrategySnackToys2/

You can buy them on Amazon and Chewy.com also.

 

[Patti]

I agree with the advise of all the others, but honestly, if you are not supposed to have pets at this apartment I would start looking now for a viable option as the inevitable will likely happen sooner or later...