In this article on our site we will explain why cats cry, giving as an example some of the most common situations with which, As caregivers, we are going to find ourselves in coexistence with our felines. We will see that cats cry without tears, emitting a sharp and pitiful meow that generally corresponds to a request or need that the cat wants to satisfy. But sometimes cats cry because they are suffering from an illness and need to be seen by a veterinarian. Therefore, if your furry companion whines and you want to know why and what to do when a cat is crying, he keeps reading.
Interpretation of the crying of cats
To explain why cats cry we must know that for them vocalizations such as crying or meowing are part of their communication strategy and it does not have to imply that they are sad. It is also important to know that cats don't cry with tears and if we see them in our feline's eyes it can indicate a he alth problem such as a blocked tear duct. Also, if the tears are yellowish, it is likely that we are dealing with an infection that will need veterinary treatment.
That it is a form of communication explains why cats cry so much, although some are also very silent. Finally, it is common for caregivers to wonder why their cat is crying for no reason, but this is not true. Cats always cry with reason, the problem is that we don't understand them. They are demanding our attention to cover some need. Therefore, neither should we ignore them, much less punish them. In the following sections we will explain the reason for crying in everyday situations.
Why do cats cry like babies?
The high-pitched sound that some cats manage to produce is reminiscent of the crying of newborns and, just like them, this can have different meanings, since it is part of their communication. In the first weeks of life kittens can basically cry when they feel the absence of their mother, because they are hungry, cold or afraid. It is because of all this that the kitten we have just adopted may cry while it gets used to us and our home. For more information, see the article "Is it normal for my kitten to cry a lot?".
When the cat grows uphe can cry too to ask us for food, because he is scared and other reasons that we will explain in the following sections. To understand why cats cry, we must take the context into account, that is, if the cat is crying and his plate is empty, the easiest thing is to think that he is demanding food from us. When the cat gets older it is also possible that he cries more than usual due to the changes produced by age.
Why do cats cry at night?
One of the reasons why cats cry, especially at night, is the heat period If we live with It is easy for us to hear an unsterilized cat crying and meowing insistently and desperately. If we live in an area with cat colonies, it is also likely that we will hear these cats when they are in heat. This period is influenced by sunlight, so it can last for most of the year. In addition, cats are nervous, they mark with urine, they may try to escape and, if they succeed, fights are common, which can lead to serious injuries. Diseases for which there is no cure, such as immunodeficiency or feline leukemia, can be transmitted in these confrontations. Therefore, it is recommended to sterilization of males and females
On the other hand, in small cats or those recently arrived in their new home it is also common to notice that they cry at night. The reason is explained in the previous section, which is summarized as follows: adaptation period Cats are animals that are very susceptible to change and require space and time to fit them. Offering affection, attention and respecting his rhythm is essential to avoid overwhelming him and, therefore, worsen the situation. Check the article "How to gain a cat's trust" to know how to act correctly.
Why is my cat crying at the door?
We have seen that heat can explain why cats cry and this same reason is responsible for some cats crying at the exit door or at windows. However, it is not necessary for a cat to be in heat for us to observe this behavior, since felines can show it in situations such as the following:
- A cat accustomed to having access to the outsideit is normal for him to cry to ask us to let him out and also to warn us that he wants to enter. The cat flaps can solve this requirement by allowing the cat to come and go as it pleases.
- If we get home and the cat cries at the door it could be his way of saying hello or complaining about being alone for a while.
- Cats like places to hide, so a cat may cry at a closet door because he wants to get in. He may also cry if he is locked in and wants to get out
- If the door is to a room in the house, the cat may be protesting because we have forbidden him to enter it or because there is something he wantslike food, a toy or a bed.
When the cat cries because he is sick?
On other occasions, the explanation for why cats cry is found in a he alth problem. The cat may be showing pain, as we will exemplify in the following situations:
Why do cats cry when they eat?
In these cases we could be facing a oral problem but, it could also be an infection calledrhinotracheitis which will cause a lot of pain when swallowing. The cat may stop eating because of it. Requires veterinary treatment.
Why do cats cry when they go to the bathroom?
If the cat cries when he relieves himself, it could be a urinary infection The cat will often go to the litter box and eliminate droplets. It is a painful process that will need veterinary treatment. You may also cry if you have difficulty passing stool, for example, due to constipation, anal prolapse, etc. We must consult with our veterinarian.
Why do cats cry tears?
As we said at the beginning of the article, the presence of tears is indicative of a he alth problem related to the ocular system or another disease which produces infection as a symptom. Again, it will be necessary to see a specialist to determine the cause.
Do cats cry for pity?
Although there is no scientific evidence to confirm or deny that cats cry out of grief, we do know that animals are capable of feeling emotions similar to ours. Thus, they go through grieving processes, for example, they feel joy and sadness. In this way, a cat can make sounds similar to crying because he has lost a loved one, feels lonely, etc. Of course, remember that these cries are not accompanied by tears. When these occur, they indicate the intrusion of foreign bodies, the development of an infection or another problem that our veterinarian can diagnose.
