Noise Making

I have a cat that makes constant, constant noises. If you call his name, he answers, if he jumps, he makes a sound, when he walks, he makes another sound, if you pet him, yet another one. Consant chatter all day long. I have had cats my whole life and this is a first for me. Any inclination as to this?
Thanks very much.

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Permalink Reply by Adele on April 25, 2008 at 3:56pm: I have a cat that makes constant, constant noises. If you call his name, he answers, if he jumps, he makes a sound, when he walks, he makes another sound - if you pet him, yet another different one. Constant chatter all day long. I have had cats my whole life and this is a first for me. Any inclination as to this?
Thanks very much.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cynthia on April 25, 2008 at 4:30pm: I have a cat, Schmoo, who talks all day. He's a plain old "mutt" cat. He has about 40 different vocalizations and will even sit and talk to himself when he grooms himself. He will talk to us to wake us up at 2am. He's done this all his life and the vet could find nothing medically that might cause it, and he says some cats just vocalize a lot. Sometimes he yowls, sometimes he beeps, sometimes he chirps, sometimes he chants...when the doorbell rings, he makes a "barking" sound (this is a cat who's never even SEEN a dog)...I've learned to like it and accept it as his "special talent".

If the talking is a sudden development, it could indicate several medical conditions, so you should take him to the vet to get him checked out. There are several congenital neurological conditions that can cause chattering. If he's done it since he was a kitten, he's likely got some Siamese in him somewhere - they're big talkers - and he may do it for the rest of his life.

Some people would LOVE to have a cat who talks. I only have 1 talker - the rest are relatively quiet (Cosmo says "HIIIIIII" when he meows, Bean chirps, Jack cries if he thinks he's alone, Panda will chirp when he greets us, and our foster kitty yowls to get out of her bedroom). So count yourself lucky and enjoy the conversation!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Adele on April 25, 2008 at 4:36pm: Thanks for the reply. He's been like that since he was a kitten and it is so amusing - and yet sometimes we want to say "shut up". He makes a different sound for absolutely everything. It's soooo cute and yes it is a "special talent" that we should both enjoy.
Thanks again.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cynthia on April 25, 2008 at 5:26pm: I have a sign up in the building laundry room for people to drop off old towels and bedding for the shelter (I volunteer at the ASPCA in NYC) at my front door, and many who have done so report they've heard Schmoo bark/meow behind the door when they ring the doorbell. One person said it was Schmoo saying "Thanks for the towels."; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Adele on April 25, 2008 at 5:44pm: How adorabe, when my doorbell rings my cat dashes to the door making his usual noises - almost like saying who is it? I just love animals and in particular cats.
I would love to volunteer also but I'm afraid I would be too emotional. How do you handle all the animals that need homes?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cynthia on April 29, 2008 at 1:31pm: I am lucky to volunteer at the ASPCA, which I like to call the "Ritz-Carlton" of shelters. All our cats and dogs are treated very well and have great food, nice bedding, individual ventilation systems to prevent the spread of airborne disease through the shelter, and lots of attention from staff and caring volunteers. Their euthanasia rate is under 7% - they basically only consider euthanasia if an animal is beyond all medical or behavioral help.

I train new volunteers coming into the shelter, and I make sure that everything I teach them is geared toward making our animals more adoptable. I get to know the cats as much as possible on a personal level by spending time with them. A lot of times, adopters will come into the shelter and it is because I have taken the time to get to know the animals that I can recommend them and make the perfect match. That is what gets me through the emotional part. I actually have more problem with missing the cats who get adopted rather than feeling bad for the ones that are there, believe it or not. You get to know them really well and then they are off to their new homes. I find myself wondering about them and how they are doing, but I hope to never see them again, because sometimes they get returned to the shelter if things don't work out, and that truly is sad to see someone return because it didn't work.

You just have to tell yourself every time you go that the reason you get emotional and your heart breaks for the shelter animals is the very reason you became a volunteer. And that's what makes the best volunteers - the ones who aren't afraid to get their hearts broken. Because if you get your heart broken, that means you're brave enough to be vulnerable. And people who are vulnerable are the bravest people of all.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Adele on April 29, 2008 at 2:53pm: You sound like a wonderful person and I believe the ASPCA is lucky to have you. I will consider volunteering - I live on Long Island and have the application from the SPCA - they sound wonderful too.
There are also some town shelters in my area. I adopted my cat about a month ago from BideAWee in Wantagh and they treated the animals with care and affection. I love to see that.
I'll let you know what happens -; ▶ Reply to This