Lately, our 7-year-old black male cat Amos, has not wanted to come in at night. We fear the coyote threat and anguish over him being out there in the dark all alone. His twin brother, Andy, went recently missing last month and we fear the worse.
Now when Amos does decide to come in, usually very late at night, he starts pitifully yowling over and over, hides under our bed, and will not come out. We really feel he has become mentally unbalanced. Does anyone know if there are pet psychiatrists out there? Are there pet anti-psychotic medications that might help him? Thanks in advance for your help.
YIN YANG
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2011-10-13 12:16 PM |
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Talk to your vet. There are psychoactive drugs for cats & dogs -- the same ones people use. Plus, of course, he needs a physical exam.
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COMMENT 222290
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2011-10-13 12:16 PM |
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definitely take him to a vet, it could be a medical problem, rule that out first, and then your vet can recommend other things to try.
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COMMENT 222291P
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2011-10-13 12:17 PM |
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Better you don't keep psychiatrists as pets. they are messy and hard to train.
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COMMENT 222293
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2011-10-13 12:21 PM |
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Put him in the fridge for a while to slow/calm his nerves.
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COMMENT 222294
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2011-10-13 12:24 PM |
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Seriously, I would keep him indoors for a few weeks; he is suffering a loss and probably crying out for Andy. Time may be what he needs.
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COMMENT 222299P
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2011-10-13 12:34 PM |
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I agree with having your vet check first for medical issues. There's also something -- which I haven't used but others swear by -- called Rescue Remedy. It's a mixture of flower extracts that you can put in water or actually spray on the pet. Lotsa info on the Internet about it.
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COMMENT 222302
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2011-10-13 12:42 PM |
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Wow.....what a coincidence! I have two black cats that are brothers also and are showing some of the same signs. The older one named Whodat, totally feaks out as the sun goes down. Bizzare noises from him as he stands outside not knowing what to do. His brother named Fagowi is dumber than abox of rocks and will stand out in the rain rather than come inside. My wife says she sits at home and watches the Oprah Winfrey Network all day with the cats riveted to the TV. I wonder if there is a connection here. Let me know what you decide to do with yours. Thanks.
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COMMENT 222303
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2011-10-13 12:44 PM |
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because it is on the internet, does not mean it is true. I agree he is probably missing his brother. Take him to the vet to rule out an illness.
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COMMENT 222304
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2011-10-13 12:45 PM |
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He is mourning and out at night looking for his brother. I lost a cat to the coyotes that way. Give him lots of attention. Keep him in at night and early morning. He may have even seen what happened. Sorry.
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COMMENT 222306P
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2011-10-13 12:47 PM |
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I agree that your vet is the best place to get suggestions. There is also Feliway, which reportedly helps cats that are stressed. http://www.feliway.com/us/Frequently-Asked-Questions
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COMMENT 222307
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2011-10-13 12:48 PM |
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Can pets get Sundowner's syndrome? I wonder about my dog having it. When the sun goes down he gets most unhappy.
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COMMENT 222308
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2011-10-13 12:49 PM |
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He may have murdered his brother Andy and is suffering from acute guilt. Cats who commit heinous crimes are really crying out for attention.
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COMMENT 222314
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2011-10-13 01:01 PM |
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I agree with everyone else - assuming he's ok health-wise, he's likely mourning. If you have ruled out health problems (i.e. the yowling isn't because he's hurting), you can always try a pet psychic (google it - the Indy apparently has one writing for them & SB seems to have a few). Take it or leave it as a suggestion, but I'd probably try that before anti-psychotic meds from a cat psychiatrist. PS: Edda, any chance this was meant to go to you? It has a Edda-letter feeling to it.
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COMMENT 222316
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2011-10-13 01:03 PM |
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I think getting your cat to the vet is the best option. My cat had a similar problem 16 years ago when she witnessed her best cat friend getting killed by a car. Very traumatic. Cats are like people in this regard and need assistance.
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COMMENT 222339
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2011-10-13 01:32 PM |
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Get Amos help now...don't wait until he goes CATatonic.
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COMMENT 222342
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2011-10-13 01:35 PM |
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It sounds like a clear case for medical marijuana. spark one up for kitty!
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COMMENT 222363
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2011-10-13 01:52 PM |
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My niece had to put her cat on Prozac due to separation anxiety, aggression, peeing on her stuff, etc. He is now a regular good guy, I hear. Our vet suggested Prozac for our anxiety riddled 24 Lb cat, but he seems to be better adjusted as of late. The "air freshener" type calming stuff didn't work. Try lots of attention, distraction with toys, etc. If that doesn't work, bring on the pharmeceuticals, I say.
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COMMENT 222374P
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2011-10-13 02:17 PM |
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356: Yep, my first thought was that this was more work of the "funny story" guy, but this being SB and Edhat _and _relating to animals, one never knows. The Independent runs an occasional column by someone who claims to be a "pet psychic" and I always thought that it was a goof although the author seems to be sincere if delusional. Reading this post and the comments that followed did put me in mind of hilarious scene in "Down and Out in Beverly Hills" wherein a doggy shrink tries to induce a reluctant dog to eat: "Now, Matisse, you must eat your dinner."
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COMMENT 222376
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2011-10-13 02:19 PM |
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Animals are capable of grief and a whole range of emotions. Anyone with a pet knows that. This is hardly a "joke" post.
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COMMENT 222383
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2011-10-13 02:35 PM |
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I used Laura Stinchfield when our dog had cancer and we wanted to communicate with him. She is wonderful and caring and I truly believe she can communicate with animals. 895-5968. She is in Ojai but comes to SB at times.
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SBJULES
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2011-10-13 02:50 PM |
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I thought all cats got "itchy" feet at night. They do like to hunt. It is also true that they miss their pals too.
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COMMENT 222393
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2011-10-13 03:00 PM |
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He is probably lonely. Go to ASAP and get him a new cat friend. They currently have 92 potential "New CAT Friends" available for adoption!
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COMMENT 222398
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2011-10-13 03:08 PM |
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Maybe it's the full moon. My cat changes her mood and becomes more nocturnal when that happens.
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COMMENT 222427
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2011-10-13 04:07 PM |
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Here is a web site for a pet "intervention."
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COMMENT 222484P
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2011-10-13 07:04 PM |
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I use Lydia Hiby
She is wonderful and you will learn a lot!
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COMMENT 222500P
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2011-10-13 09:57 PM |
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Pet psychiatrist? Seriously? Is this real?
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COMMENT 222503P
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2011-10-13 10:40 PM |
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How hard and how long did you search for Andy? Some cats are found weeks, months and sometimes years after getting lost. If an indoor/outdoor cat does not come home it usually means something has happened to him. People often wrongly assume the cat has been eaten. Coyotes do not eat EVERY lost cat. To assume this without physical evidence is wrong. Andy may still be out there waiting for you to find him. Sounds as if Amos knows something. Try following him in the early evening to see where he goes. People are starting to use surveillance cameras to find their lost cats. Check out www.catsinthebag.org for the best information on how to search your cat.
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LOLA
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2011-10-14 09:44 AM |
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Gloria Kaye!
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COMMENT 222822P
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2011-10-14 08:30 PM |
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For those who have cats (or dogs) that roam how about getting a chip that works with a GPS?
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S.B.RON
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2011-10-15 07:53 AM |
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You could get yourself some earplugs in the meantime.
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