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12 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday July 12, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Tips on dealing with a chatty catty L ike many animals, cats use their `voice' to deliver messages. When your cat is vocalizing excessively or intensively at night it's time to determine why you have a chatty cat. Night time vocalization is not uncommon amongst cats. Although it is disruptive to families and neighbours trying to get sleep, there can be many reasons why a cat is actively making sounds at night. The most common reasons for feline vocalization are related to attention getting, sexual or play behaviours, medical problems, discomfort and aggressive displays. Some breeds are also more likely to be more vocal than others. The Siamese, for example, is known for this trait. To prevent undesirable vocalization try providing sufficient play and exercise during the daytime and evening. Curb mild outbursts of sound by interrupting them with remote punishment techniques, such as a water gun, compressed air, a loud verbal "No", or an alarm device. Never use physical punishment as a solution to the problem. To respond positively to an ongoing problem, you need to understand its source. What is causing your pet to become vocal? What is reinforcing this behaviour? For older cats, a visit to the veterinarian is a good starting point for finding a solution. Some middle-aged to older cats may begin to vocalize as their senses or cognitive function begins to decline (senility), while others may be in pain, or have endocrine dysfunction or hypertension. In the case of younger cats, your veterinarian may recommend neutering/spaying to reduce the vocal "calling" that occurs as part of mating routines. In all ages of cat, observing and understanding the behaviour will require paying special attention to when vocalizing occurs. If something visually is stimulating this need to respond vocally (i.e. the sight or sound of other cats) or if the cat is kept from performing the behaviour (i.e. keeping the cat out of the owner's bedroom at night) the problem can often be resolved. Many owners make the mistake of rewarding the cat for vocalizing. Attention, affection, play, a treat, dinner, or allowing a cat access to a desirable area can all be forms of reinforcement. It only takes a few times for a cat to link making sound with receiving a reward. When the reward system disappears the cat may at first become more excessive vocally, but eventually will reduce or eliminate the need to make sound because it will no longer link it with a reward. If you know your cat to be healthy and you have taken away the reward system every time it makes a sound, but you still have a cat that is vocalizing through the night, it is necessary to try to reschedule the cat's day. Food, play, affection and attention should be provided during the morning and evening hours. Keep the cat alert throughout the day with activities (cat scratch feeders, activity centres, or the company of another pet). If the problem persists, lock the cat out of the bedroom or confine it to a room or crate with bedding and a litter box. If the cat is ignored it may learn to sleep through the night or occupy itself with sufficient toys, activities or if there is one in the household, another cat to play with. Establishing new routines can be difficult, but persevere. Do not respond to your cat's vocalization, unless you want your pet to keep on chatting. Your response to your pet's sounds offers a welcome reward making it impossible to break the recurrence of the problem. For more information about how to help your chatty cat, contact the Oakville & District Humane Society at 905-8451551 or visit the shelter at 445 Cornwall Road in Oakville. -- Submitted by the Oakville & District Humane Society.