Cat howls at night time.

Hi - Rusty is almost 15 yrs. and meows and howls at night. Basically, he throws a kitty tantrum every night! He wakes up around 3 a.m. and howls until I get up to be with him. He eats, drinks, pees, poops and plays regularly. He can be a very playful, active, normal kitty as long as I initiate. He is drinking a little more than used to and in turn pees/poops more (I figure due to additional hard food to try and quiet him during the night). The only thing different in the past several months is that he recently licked the hair off his belly - I think its starting to come back now.

I believe his howling at night is behaviour related.

Because .... two years ago I separated from my husband and Rusty came with me to a small apartment from a big house where he had full roam. Then a year and a half ago I started seeing someone and he moved in with me and Rusty. (he loves Rusty but Rusty only tolerates his efforts to be friendly). (Rusty started excessive grooming and howling at night) Last September I alone moved into my Mom's house for two month's while looking for another, larger, apartment (Rusty still over grooming but howling stopped). I lost my full time job in November so I am home most of the time right now. Got the new apartment and we all moved in Dec 1st. While I was living by myself Rusty would sleep with me at the bottom of my bed (quietly). Now he won't stay on the bed (quietly) unless I am the only one in it.

I have tried natural calming spray, lights, radio, feeding, ignoring him, and now I have him closed into the kitchen for the night with his litter box and a bed which he does sleep in ... with a child safety gate. I try to "put him to bed" a half hour before we turn off the tv and go to bed ... so he doesn't think we are dumping him in the kitchen and desserting him. Rusty is afraid of people (actually noises too - always has been) and gets very scared. A trip to the vet is devastating. He hides when the door bell rings or if someone is visiting. He will rub up against my boyfriend (allows petting), who does feed him and play with him and Rusty finally would come to my mom and rub on her and get petted by her cause she would feed him and check on him while I was either at work or out while we were staying at her house.

The bottom line is this: Rusty makes so much noise, crying and howling, from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. that I am going to get evicted for disturbing the peace, my boyfriend is going to break up with me because he thinks I care more about the cat than him, along with the fact that he is going to work exhausted cause he can't sleep through the noise, and when I start working again, I need eight hours sleep each night to keep my own health problems in check. I am at my wit's end. Is there a medication (from the vet) or something else I can try. I swear he is not in pain ! During the day he will do rolly polly on the floor at my feet, we play catch with a bread tie (his favorite game). He does sleep a little better if I keep him VERY active for a while during the day, otherwise he will SLEEP (quietely) most of the day.

I am going to lose my mind (along with everything else) if I can't put a stop to this. Since I am out of work, I can't afford to go to the vet and have him run tests, etc. etc. while on a fishing expedition for a medical reason. The only thing I even gave thought to was Hyperthyroid, but too much doesn't fit. I really think it's behavioral.

Do they make a muzzle for cats?

Very anxious for your thoughts ....

Doris

In addition to $160 the cat would have to have a current rabies and distemper vaccine too? or is that something that varies from one vet to another? I am just afraid of spending $250 and ending up with nothing more than a big bill and the cat that doesn't sleep at night.

I have tried all those things you suggested to no avail, but I will try again now that he is in a confined space at night.

Thank you soo much for your thoughts. (Boy, you are quick once you finally receive the question ... lol)

Doris