h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Our elderly Tomcat has gotten into the habit of making a sound like a soft baby's cry usually when he's returning home from his travels. It sounds like he's scared but as soon as he see's you he quickly reverts back to the standard miaow.

Now I have heard somewhere that cats will mimic the sound of a human child to appeal to their human companions - usually in the household of a couple with no children and no other pets. Erm - that would be us then and yes, he is our precious little bundle of joy.

>>>I have heard somewhere that cats will mimic the sound of a human child to appeal to their human companions

Interesting post! And welcome to h2g2

Aw thank you! I suddenly feel very special

This is my first time doing one of these, so please make allowances for me - but this is a subject close to my heart, as we have only recently lost the catly love of my life after 16 action packed years.

Jassy (the snow white and copper cat in question) started this 'wouwling' cry some years ago, and I asked the vets who returned a non-commital answer. I thought no more of it. Then it began over the months to increase. Special (and expensive) visits by vet - nothing.

To cut a long story short I (eventually) got the uneasy feeling that in Jassy's case something was not right and that the particular vet was missing something, so tried to find out for myself. I got part right, his kidneys weren't right, but the vet also missed a little lump in his neck which apparently (when taken with other symptoms and a blood check) turned out to be (in his case) hypothyroid.

Now, I don't know anything about your cat, and I do most sincerely hope that this behaviour is behavioural, but you say he is elderly, and a friend's elderly cat went through much the same as Jassy - and it makes me wonder... You see I blame myself for not being able to get the vet to listen to me earlier, and I don't want anyone else to suffer like that... I just wanted to try to help another cat lover...

ArtemesiaEloise

Arrgghhh - not hypOthyroid, hypERthyroid

Sor

Thanks for that, Artemesia. "the ditherer" should be able to tell whether his cat is in pain or not. If the cat sounds happy, then I wouldn't worry about any strange sounds.

Oh don't worry - he's been grumbling like that for years!