You always want to be sure that you are doing the right thing to support your pet the best way that you can as a new kitten owner. One of the ways that you can do so is by making sure that you are attentive to your kitten’s needs.
Your kitten uses a variety of ways to communicate with you. One of the most blaring, in-your-face reasons is by crying. If you’re noticing that your kitten is crying, you’re likely worried that something is wrong with them. Before you panic, be sure that you look into what could be causing this first. Oftentimes you will find that nothing is really wrong.
Of course, if you are noticing that your kitten is crying nonstop, it’s recommended that you contact a trusted vet. This will prove to be helpful for a myriad of reasons. First of all, it will give you, their owner, peace of mind that there’s nothing wrong.
In addition, if something actually does require attention, your kitten will be able to get it in an expedient manner. You can also ask your vet what you can do to make your kitten stop crying. Just remember: there’s a reason why your kitty is crying, and it’s because they have a need that isn’t being met.
Today, Pawp is going to share some of the reasons why your precious kitten might be crying. This article will run through these reasons and share why they occur. By the time you’re done reading, you’re going to have a much more robust understanding of why kittens cry and how you can help them.
The top five reasons your kitten is crying
It is always possible that there’s some other reason why your kitten is crying that is not included on this list. That being said, a lot of the reasons why kittens get upset are included.
As a reminder: you don’t have to wait until your vet opens the next day if your kitten starts wailing during the middle of the night. With Pawp, it’s actually possible to see a vet whenever you need. These telehealth visits for your pet are effective and simple. Talk to a vet on-demand and vet advice immediately. Pawp is in the business of being peace of mind.
Your new kitten is lonely
No matter how wonderful your home is, your new kitten is going to miss their littermates and their mother sometimes when they’re transitioning to their new lifestyle with your family.
This is exacerbated by the fact that kittens are extremely curious and active creatures. They have a lot of energy, and in order to keep them happy, you will have to give them a lot of mental and physical stimulation, too.
Therefore, if you’re noticing that a kitten is crying non-stop after you bring them home, it is likely due to the fact that they are looking for either their mother or another kitten around. They could even be seeking your attention.
There are several ways that you can tackle this. For one, if you have the resources to adopt a couple of kittens from the same litter, you can certainly do that. This could help ease loneliness.
Just remember that each kitten needs their own litter box: they do not enjoy sharing one. Getting a pair could prove quite rewarding — for both you and the kittens, too. They’ll have someone else to communicate with and will definitely feel less alone.
In addition, you can take steps to help. Carve out quality time during the day that you can spend with your kitten. During this time, it’s highly recommended that you play with them rather than simply sitting next to them on the couch.
Your new kitten is hungry
It turns out that kitten babies and human babies actually might have more in common than you might think. Kittens cry out if they’re hungry or if they feel it has been too long in between their feeding times.
If your kitten is routinely crying out for food (every single day), you might want to look into your feeding schedule and the cat food you’re feeding them. There’s a chance that you’re not feeding your new cat frequently enough. In this case, you should make adjustments. You can also talk to a vet about their feeding if you’re unsure.
Your kitten is developing quickly during this period of time, and you should be giving them an ample amount of wet food. This will aid in their growth. And of course, while a strict feeding schedule is a necessity for an older cat, kittens require some more flexibility. In other words, if you see that your kitten is hungry, feed them. When your kitten is around 3 to 4 months old, then they’re more likely to be able to follow an actual feeding schedule.
Your kitten needs to defecate
Another common reason why kittens begin crying is that they need to poop. Nevertheless, it takes a while for a kitten to get acclimated to using a new litter box, so don’t be shocked if you find that your cat is fussy about this at first.
To create the ideal litter box, Pawp veterinarian Dr. Laura Robinson recommends keeping a “shallow amount of litter like one to two inches” instead of a deep amount. She also says that while a “majority of cats prefer large boxes that they can easily enter, kittens are so tiny you want to make sure they can get in and out of the box.”
In addition, kittens that are younger than 8 weeks will often meow before or after they go to the bathroom, and that’s normal. Just be sure that your kitten does not appear to be uncomfortable or straining. If your cat is constipated, there are solutions.
But what about if your new cat is crying out every single time they poop, and they’re pushing and having difficulty using their litter box? Bring your pet to the vet so that they can quickly check them out. They will ensure that there is not an underlying health problem.
It is always important to take diarrhea, constipation, and gastrointestinal distress seriously when you have a little kitten. It’s better to err on the side of caution and bring your cat to the vet sooner rather than later.
Your new kitten is in pain
If your kitten is in pain or doesn’t feel well, you’ll know it. When they’re in pain, you will typically notice loud and piercing cries. If your kitten is sick, they might be more somber. Nevertheless, you should look into this.
If your kitten seems to be tired, crying, or is “vacant,” you will need to get help from a trained vet right away. In addition, it’s important to also remember that a lot of times, cats do not cry to let you know they’re unwell. Sometimes they do express that they are sick by becoming lethargic or even going silent.
As an owner, it’s your responsibility to notice abnormalities in your kitten’s behavior. If anything changes radically, you should bring them to the vet just to ensure that there’s nothing seriously wrong.
Your new kitten is disoriented or lost
Your kitten is tiny, so your house is quite large comparatively (even if it doesn't feel that way to you). Think about being a tiny kitten running around a house so big. While you might feel tempted to provide your kitten with a full run of the house the moment you get them home, this can be intimidating, scary, or confusing.
If you find your cat crying out, there’s a chance it is due to the fact that your cat feels lost. They might not recognize where in the house they are, nor understand how to get back to their bed or litter box.
Therefore, you should introduce your new cat to your home slowly, in fragmented parts. This will help ensure that they do not get overwhelmed with their new and large territory.
Give your kitten a smaller section of the home to call their home base for the first couple of weeks that they are home with you. This will let them get acclimated to a portion of the space without getting stressed.
When your kitten has successfully mastered that part of the house, you can start to allow them more access to the other parts of the house. Remember: there’s no rush. Start slow, and then you can add more rooms as your kitten becomes comfortable.
Kitten care shouldn’t be confusing
Getting a new kitten is extremely exciting, but it can also be overwhelming for both the kitty and for the human. You want to be sure that you are doing all the right things for your cat, but what happens when they begin to cry?
As a responsible pet parent, it is your role to take care of your cat. Therefore, if you’re noticing that they are frequently crying, you should reach out to a vet and get them evaluated.
When your cat is crying, they are attempting to communicate with you. They are telling you that one of their needs is not currently being met, so be sure to never reprimand or yell at your kitten for their cries.
KITTEN CRYING SOURCES:
6 Reasons Your Kitten Is Crying | Pet MD
What Are Cats Trying to Tell Us? Science Will Explain | National Geographic
How Do I Know if My Cat is in Pain? | VCA
Why Multiple Cats Need Multiple Litter Boxes | PetMD