Bad Cat Night

[plumtreeblossom]

A fun evening out at the davis_square meet-up should have been followed by a sound night's sleep, but that's not how it went for beowabbit and me (and probably innocent bystander vanguardcdk, too).

Benjamin (aka Skunky) used to be a virtually silent cat. He never meowed unless his tail got accidentally stepped on or some such. That has changed in the last few months, and he has taken to caterwalling at night and in the early morning hours. Last night it was the worst I can ever recall. He basically kept us up all damn night. I'm here at work on 2 hours sleep.

I don't know why this is happening. He won't sleep on the bed anymore, and I'm wondering if there's been some territorial shift between him and Rowley. Ben sits in the bathroom meowing, as if he wants someone to go sleep with him in there. Once he gets attention he shuts up, but leave him alone and it starts right back up. He won't stay in the room with us and Rowley (or me and Rowley when Wabbit isn't there).

The meowing doesn't really sound like anything having to do with physical pain. It's a forlorn inquiry repeted 10,000 times. Mwow? Mwow? Mwow? He's eating, drinking and litter boxing normally. vanguardcdk noticed he'd thrown up a few times last week. Unlike Rowley's vomitorium purging so he can eat more, Ben-ben doesn't usually throw up. I don't know what's going on in his mind and body.

But I know what's going on in mine. I'm an underslept zombie with a headache. Time for a vet trip, ASAP. Darling beowabbit said he will take us. My big fear is that Benjamin is going senile. I don't know his actual age, but I do know he's at least 11 or 12, possibly years older though he's looking great. That's something we need to look into at the vet. My poor baby. And poor humans -- I can barely keep my eyes open.

Comments

[vanguardcdk.livejournal.com]

Last night, at least, he didn't wake me up at all. Of course I was also up late due to a George Carlin special I chanced upon, so I was pretty much dead to the world anyways.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Good, I'm glad he didn't keep you up. (Jay suggested we apologize to you if the meowing had woken you, but you were already gone by then). I have to figure out what the deal is with him. I was kept awake almost all night.

[koshmom.livejournal.com]

if it's not something physical (which the vet would find) perhaps you might want to consider playing with him a lot before bedtime. This way his urge to be with you may be expended, and his "I need attention" need would be sated, and he'll be too tired to yowl. Just a suggestion, i never had a cat that did that.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

It's something I could try. I played with him a little this morning, and he was responsive to the toy.

[spacechicken.livejournal.com]

How about moving your blanket and pillow into the bathroom? :)

That really sucks. Our cats pretty much sleep through the night, although they come to life aorund 5:30 AM and start pestering me for food. The head butting and biting of my fingers (mostly Roxanne doing that but the others meow their approval as they look on) doesn't stop unitl I get up.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I could try that. He's obsessed with the bathroom. The other cat is dominant, and I think the rest of the house is "his." They love each other, but there's definitely a power dynamic between the two of them. Even when they're cuddling and loving each other, it's clear who's boss, and it's not Ben. Maybe he wants some alone time with me, which he doesn't get much of.

[spacechicken.livejournal.com]

I wasn't seriously suggesting that, but it would probably work.

[koshmom.livejournal.com]

wow, they wake up at 5:30 and get you to feed them? They've got you trained well! :)

[spacechicken.livejournal.com]

Yes they do. You wouldn't believe the beating Roxanne can deliver with her headbutts. I have to get up just to make it stop.

[heatherp8.livejournal.com]

Our Ebony has become more vocal of late as well. Sometimes he’s demanding food before the appointed dining hour or because the kitty box isn’t to his liking, but sometimes I swear he just meows to hear himself.
Of course, it could also be that he wants out. He lived totally unfettered for years before we took him in and changed his wandering ways. Sometimes I think he just remembers what it’s like to be free and wants to assert his wilder self.
Has your kitty boy ever been an outdoor fellow? Perhaps he’s just recalling those days.
At any rate, I feel for ya, kiddo. They can’t tell us what’s up, poor things, and no one likes their kitty to be troubled. Hope you get to the bottom of it!

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I thought of you and Ebony when Ben-ben was caterwalling. I felt sorry for him, but I also felt sorry for me sweetie, who actually got out of bed at 5:30 AM (he NEVER does that) because the cat was keeping him up.

How is Ebony doing with the nighttime howling?

[heatherp8.livejournal.com]

*knock wood*
he's been much, much better about the nighttime stuff.
Just does it when he wants to eat or the kitty box needs sifting, mostly.
Not nearly as bad as it as, thank goodness!
Hugs to BenBen