Hey GC. I've got a small question if you wouldn't mind answering About a month ago, I noticed my cat's meows were getting very hoarse, almost to the point that you could hardly hear them even when it was completely silent. I suspect it has something to do with the dog my sister got (much to my disappointment). Every since the dog took up residence in the house, my cat would loudly make her stand for her territory, or whenever he got to close to her liking. This scenario happened almost daily for nearly a year and a half now, and her 'voice' has gotten progressively worse. Of course, it could be a completely different cause such as an undiagnosed sickness of some sort, but she looks as healthy as ever and behaves in exactly the same way as she has for the past few years. What could the cause possibly be?
It sounds like your cat is trying to establish its territory and it starts hissing or something at the dog, and I take it your dog doesnt care and just sits there with the cat hissing at it all day?
Could be stress due to the dog, but personally I would bring the cat into a vet for a quick exam just to be safe.A checkup really isnt to expensive, just makesure you call a bunch of different vets as some will be higher priced than others.Hopfully its nothing, but definatly bring it in.
Actually, surprisingly she never hisses. It's simply a series of loud meows for a few seconds until everything calms down. My dog is scared shitless and retreats to a safe distance away. this sort of thing happens about one or twice a day. But before the dog this would never happen. I always make sure she has a stress free life. Edit: another thing, she doesnt really make contact with him (the dog) usually she is chillin in my room for most of the day with exceptions of going outside every now and then
I wish that were a possibility. Not owning a car means there's no possible way of transporting her without causing some sort of trauma from going on public transport as well as nearly a mile walk to the bus stop . I'll probably end up asking a friend to lend theirs for a few hours. Thanks for the advice!
Cats have throats and vocal chords like us I'm guessing, maybe from the continuous strain from meowing/hissing they've become stressed and inflamed causing her to lose her "voice" I suggest keeping her in a calmer, stress free environment and taking her to the vet to see if there is any type of medicine you can give her or put in her water
Cats can lose their voice for several reasons. Any inflammation or irritation to the vocal folds or oral cavity may result in loss of meow. Toxin exposure can be a cause. A compressive swelling or mass could alter the ability to meow. Upper respiratory infections could result in lack of vocalization. I have also had patients lose the ability to meow for no reason-exam and tests run were all normal. It would be best to have your cat examined by a veterinarian to make sure nothing serious is present right meow.
Thanks to everyone for the advice and kind words! Seems the unanimous consensus is to take her to a vet, I'll get on that asap.
Now that you've come to the decision to bring her to a vet, it really most likely is stress and yelling all day. The reason she's become reclusive in your room is because of stress. If you could...every day for a few hours, put the dog away and let her roam the house. Your vet may also give her a low dose antistress meds...yup! Kitty valium! this is my professional opinion
Although this is a somewhat subjective opinion, the anti stress spray we see, and have used, in the kennels is somewhat hit and miss. It works like a dream for some cats and with others, next to no effect. They can be very expensive if it doesn't work. The cat needs the time to calm itself, and its environment, in order to get used to the new addition to the household. A vet is in a better position to say than any of us...
Sprays are generally hit and miss, the vet most likely will realize that since this is an ongoing issue that a general spray will have little to no effect in this situation. He'll most likely say to make sure the house is calm for her at least a few hours durring the day, give her a calming agent for the tough days and will say to bring her back after a time to see if there's improvement.
Perhaps I over exaggerated the part about her being locked in my room all day. She does run around the house and whatnot, and is generally quiet for the most part. Like I said, this 'defensive' scenario only happens once or twice a day max. I'll definitely ask for possible medications and what they can do to benefit this situation, thanks for that suggestion.Regarding putting the dog away, he's not a toy you can stash in your closet I've got no options for that. She's been getting 'used' to it ever since October '10, so a year and a few months is more than enough time in my opinion. Although I think it's less of a dog issue now than it is with my sister being loud and obnoxious . But that's how it has always been for the last 7 or so years of owning her, and only after the dog was introduced to the environment I've noticed these changes I wouldn't say so. Yes, there is probably a mild dislike for the dog but i've had them both lie on my lap at the same time RIGHT beside each-other (which was so fucking cool especially because i was ripped out of my mind ). They both slept on the same bed from time to time and it's not really as big of a problem as I might've made it seem. The concern for the hoarse 'voice' however, still is.
I didn't mean stash him in the closet, im sorry that I assumed he was crate trained and that at some point the house was empty except the critters...I was suggesting that while the house has no people, that maybe the dog should be "put away" so that the cat could have some stress free time in the house....this was also, like you already mentioned, brought up before you clarified on the seclusion issue
No worries, no need to apologize . It's fair game that you would assume that, as most people i know with dogs can allow for brief containment periods. My dog just goes apeshit lol Included pic just because
hehe, I like to call that her 'lost in thought' expression, which she always bears. It's either that or 'gtfo im sleeping'. Don't worry though she always looks that way when not being pet, and gets enough cuddles and treats