How can I stop/relax/calm down a wailing/crying kitten?
O.K. folks, need some help. First off, not going to lie to you, I’m a dog person. I have three large dogs, and one of them is a Roittweiler that has the run of the house. Here’s a little history: The Wednesday before Christmas, on my way home from work I stopped at a gas station and when I came out from the store there was this little fuzzball of a cat sitting beneath my tire crying. Now I am not a cat person, I do like cats but believe they are better suited out in my barn with the pigs and cattle, sorry if that offends. I checked with the station attendant (who didn’t know anything about it) and seeing I was in a warehouse district with no family homes, I took the shivering thing home. I could tell it was well fed and it smelled like it just had a bath. I don’t think it is more than 2, 3 or 4 months old. It’s eating the wet catfood I bought and has no problem using the litter box. The cat adores the Rottweiler and the dog feels the same way. More than once I’ve found them cuddled up together on the couch asleep and have pics to prove it. I am a working person, and have found the cat a good home, but not for 2 more weeks! But, to the problem, so for me to get some work done, and when I go to sleep, or leave the house, I crate the cat in an XL dog crate with food/water, a litter box, couple of cat toys I picked up, and plenty of towels. That’s when the wailing begins! You would think someone is strangling the poor cat! It lasts from anywhere between 20-30 minutes. If I let the cat out, it runs up and perches on my shoulder or stomach and usually falls asleep. Back in the crate the crying begins. Any help would be appreciated on anything I can do to calm the cat down. By the way, I don’t want to leave it loose in the house, not because my dog would intentionally hurt it, but because he is a large dog and can be rather clumsy. Thanks! ~Matt
Filed under: Cat Furniture
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Your kitty is very social… and is still very much a "child".
My experience is that your little one wants to be included and can hear sounds from inside it’s box. It can drive them CRAZY to hear activity going on and not be included. As long as your kitty is hearing that it is not part of what is going on, being excluded, he/she will probably continue to cry when being locked away. It’s not the being confined so much as hearing other activities going on.
Try putting your little one in another room, or even a closet, just for a few hours in the night… so he/she is insulated from hearing outside noise. You may try getting a hot water bottle, wrap it in a towel, and putting it in so initially he/she has something warm to curl up with.
Don’t put the kitty away for more than you absolutely have to.
As he/she gets older and more mature, more at home.. you can leave him/her out more and more, eventually not having to confine them at all. This should be the goal. Sounds like everyone is getting along pretty good…
Also, get a small stuffed toy, something fluffy and not bigger than the kitty is now. Many times they will play with a small toy like this as a companion.. incorporate the toy when outside. Make sure you get a toy that has no bows or easily removable parts, eyes, nose, etc. nothing to choke on or swallow. Then being confined can also not be so lonely. Best to all!
LOL you have a "cat astrophy" Your little friend has you wrapped tight around it’s tiny paws! You are doing everything possible to take care of your little furry vagabond and it has adopted you as it’s parent. Don’t think the dog will hurt kitty anyway, maybe just leave it out and let them sleep and play.
Calm him down by petting and playing with him It might calm him down and decrease his grumpyness
You should just try letting him stay out of the cage. Or leave the cage door open and lock him in your room. My cats who are like 8 still meow when I put them in the room next to mine during the night in the winter.