If you’re a cat parent, you’re probably familiar with your buddy’s various meows and what they mean. But you may not have heard a loud, plaintive wail — or yowl — which can also mean different things.
This mournful cry is common among cats in heat or those looking to mate. But with neutered cats, yowling is most common among seniors. The main causes are pain and disorientation, from hearing loss, for example. Cats might yowl if they have arthritis, hyperthyroidism or chronic kidney disease — all of which are common in elders. Feline cognitive dysfunction — akin to dementia in people — affects over 50% of cats in their early- to mid-teens and can also resulting in yowling.
If your cat has started yowling, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to look for the cause and ways to ease your buddy’s stress.