Have you ever been asleep then suddenly, the grating sound of your howling cat startles you from your slumber?
The howl is shrill, sharp, loud, and strangely, sounds like a baby crying. It might even scare you the first time you hear it. So the question now is, why do cats cry like babies?
Cats are curious creatures that enjoy exploring the world around them and even investigate why we humans behave in specific ways.
They love imitating our behaviors as well. Cats often mimic a baby’s cry when something wrong happens in their environment or when they are trying out new sounds.
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If you are a cat owner and have been wondering and asking the question: why do cats cry like babies? This guide on “Why do cats cry like babies” is for you; continue reading to find out!
In this article, we will find out why do cats cry like babies and possible solutions you can implement to tend to your cat’s needs. But first, can cats cry?
Table of Contents
Can cats cry?
Yes, cats can cry just like humans. Cats communicate with humans throughout the day using sounds, like meows and purrs.
But in addition to these well-known and pleasant sounds, your cat can produce other sounds that have a purpose, such as yowling and crying.
Some experts call this sound “caterwauling,” in which cats begin to make unnerving baby-like cries. Cats cry publicly with no shame, unlike humans who cry in privacy. Cats also cry at odd hours and places.
Cats crying like babies, especially at night, can be very frustrating and annoying, but not to worry, once you know the answer to the question: why do cats cry like babies, you can find ways to fix the problem and spare your eardrums the unnecessary vocal havoc.
Now that we are sure cats can cry let’s answer the question: why do cats cry like babies?
Why Do Cats Cry Like Babies?
One of the questions I have seen often is: why do cats cry like babies? There are numerous reasons why cats cry like babies. Below are some reasons.
1. Cats Do Cry Like Babies When They Are Hungry.
Like the popular saying, “a hungry man is an angry man,” the same thing applies to cats. When your cat is hungry, it can only express itself or communicate with you by going outside and crying at your window or the top of your roof.
So, if you fail to give your cat some food before going to bed and hear it crying like a baby at night, then the reason for the problem may be hunger.
2. Cats Do Cry Like Babies If They Have Health Issues.
Another compelling reason why your cats cry like a baby could be a health-related issue. When your cat is ill or injured (feeling pain somewhere), you should expect a reaction like crying, being less active, limping, or something else.
However, one thing you should always keep in mind is that cats make good pets and companions. Therefore, they won’t be crying to disturb or upset you. When your cat cries like a baby, it is either there is a problem, and it is trying to notify you so you can help.
3. Some Age-Related Issues Can Make Cats Cry Like A Baby.
Your cat is more likely to experience cognitive dysfunction as it ages. It is a condition similar to dementia in humans.
Cats with cognitive dysfunction can experience uneasiness and confusion. So if your cat meows during the day without any good reason or provocation, you can expect it to worsen at night.
4. Cats Do Cry Like Babies If They’re Trying To Mate (In Heat)
Once cats reach puberty, they usually try to mate with other cats. Both male and female cats can experience this, but when a female is in Heat, she tends to cry more than the male. The cry will often be accompanied by other signs which you can use to identify the issue.
5. Cats Do Cry Like Babies If They’re Stressed
Finally, anxiety and stress can make your cat cry like babies. Cats are extremely sensitive creatures that can easily get frightened by all kinds of things.
Common stressors may include having new visitors over or a neighborhood cat invading their space. Thunderstorms and other loud noises can also frighten your cat. When cats are frightened, they cry to their owners for help and comfort.
What To Do If My Cat Is Crying Like Babies
There are solutions you can use to deal with your cat’s loud crying during the day or at night. Here is a brief overview of what you must do:
1. Make Sure That Your Cat Is Not ill
The first thing you can do if you find your cat crying like a baby is to make sure it is active and not showing any symptoms of illness. Now how do you know if your cat has a health issue?
- Lack of appetite
- If it’s not drinking
- If the cat has difficulty in breathing
- If it’s vomiting, weak, or having diarrhea
- If the cat is limping or reacting when touched, something is wrong. When your cat has an injury on any part of its body, it will react in a way that lets you know it doesn’t want your hands near those areas.
Make sure to take your cats to the vet for proper medical care if they show any of these signs.
2. Purchase an automated cat feeder.
Sometimes it skips our minds to do some tasks because of our tight schedules and busy lives. However, it is bound to happen because we are humans, not machines.
Because of this, you might sometimes forget to feed your cat; if you do that, your cat may start crying like a baby due to hunger.
Therefore, the best way to avoid that is to purchase an “Automatic Cat Feeder” to ensure your cat eats regularly.
3. Make Sure Your Cat Gets A Lot Of Activity And Exercise.
As we already mentioned, cats enjoy playing with their pet parents occasionally. If they don’t get enough activity and exercise during the day, they’ll have a lot of extra energy at night, so they’ll cry and howl to notify you that they want to play.
4. Keep Your Cat Entertained With A Pet Camera
Keeping your cat entertained is one of the best ways to stop them from crying. A pet camera like Petcube or Furbo can help you entertain your cat even while you’re away or asleep.
You can use these cameras to communicate and play with your cat, watch over it, and attend to its needs.
5. Comfort Your Cat
What’s the point of having a pet if you can’t comfort it?
Anxiety can affect anyone. Your cat can also have it! Therefore, try to show your cat you care by comforting them if you ever notice them struggling with anxiety.
Remember that your pet will also give you comfort in return. So, be loving and attentive. Consider arranging a warm space next to you where your pet can rest peacefully.
FAQs
Do Cats Shed Tears While Crying?
Cats don’t shed tears. According to studies, humans are the only mammals that shed tears when experiencing a strong emotion.
Why Is My Cat Shedding Tears
Again, cats do not shed physical tears based on emotion. If your cat has tears or moisture in its eyes, it’s probably a clue that something is wrong.
It could be something simple like a light scratch, a speck of dust, or even clogged tear ducts. But if the tearing continues, it could be very serious, like Infections (An upper respiratory infection), Pink eye or conjunctivitis, Allergies, etc.
Does It Signify A Bad Thing When Cats Cry?
When cats cry at night, it is usually considered unlucky in many cultures. It’s also said that bad luck will come your way if you hear a cat cry. The most extreme interpretation is that a midnight cry from a cat portends impending death.
What does it indicate when cats meow at night?
Cats that cry at night may be doing so simply out of loneliness or because they didn’t get exhausted during the day. Healthy play before bed can keep their thoughts engaged and full throughout the day and help them fall asleep easily at night.
Conclusion
I hope this article answers your question on “Why do cats cry like babies?”
So, before throwing your feline friend out of the house for crying like a baby and preventing you from getting a peaceful rest, remember that the behavior is purely natural, and they have a reason for crying that way.
Never punish your cat for having needs because doing so may break the trust between you and your cat.
