Congratulations on becoming the parent of a kitten! Now that your new pet is settling into your home, you may notice your cat vocalizing in a way that sounds like they're crying. Hearing baby kittens crying is a sad sound, indeed. Read on to learn why kitties cry and how to help a crying kitten. Show Why Kittens CryMuch like a human baby, your kitten communicates with you through vocal sounds. Your cat will continue this behavior throughout their life because it's an effective way to get your attention. A crying kitten is telling you they need something, pronto. Generally, an otherwise healthy kitten cries because they want one or more of the following:
A bored kitty is a (potentially) mischievous kitty, so keep them occupied! Playing with your kitty every day and providing them with enrichment will keep your furry friend mentally and physically satisfied. How to Soothe a Crying KittenKnowing your kitten's developmental and nutritional needs during their first months will help you identify why they're crying. Here are common reasons why kittens cry at different ages, and how you can help soothe your kitty. Newborn to 8 WeeksNewborn kittens are born deaf and blind. In their first weeks of life, it's normal to hear baby kittens crying or meowing because they need food and warmth, says the ASPCA. Kittens usually stay with their mothers until the age of 8 weeks so that they can nurse and stay cozy. The weaning process will typically start at around 4 weeks and usually lasts 4-6 weeks. When you first start weaning, the kitten might cry because their mother is not around to help with feeding. If you have a kitten younger than 8 weeks and mama cat isn't there to help, you'll need to step in. How to help: Don't feed cow's milk to a kitten, emphasizes Best Friends Animal Society. Instead, bottle-feed them a formula made specifically for kittens. Best Friends also advises that when you're not feeding them, kittens up to the age of 4 weeks should stay in a cat carrier or other safe container with plenty of blankets or towels to keep them warm. Providing them with a heating pad specifically for kittens is another option. 8 Weeks to 6 MonthsA kitten's baby teeth will erupt around 4-6 weeks, but will start to be replaced by their adult teeth around the 4-6 month mark. Teething isn't necessarily painful, says Greencross Vets, but it can cause irritability and sensitivity, which could lead your kitten to cry. If the crying is accompanied by red, swollen gums with discharge, contact your veterinarian right away — your kitty may need treatment. How to help: Give your kitty something to chew on. Great options include plastic cat-safe chew toys and wet washcloths. You can also use the washcloth to gently wipe your kitty's teeth. This has the added benefit of getting your cat used to you poking around their mouth, which will make it easier to brush their teeth later on. 6 Months to AdulthoodAs your kitten approaches adolescence and adulthood, they'll start to settle down and chill out. As your cat is reaching their adult size, it is important to reassess their litter box. If you notice your kitty crying before, during or after using the litter box, it is important to have them examined by your veterinarian. Vocalizing in the litter box could be the result of painful urination or defecation. How to help: The first step when it comes to a cat or kitten crying or showing signs of distress at the litter box is to have your pet evaluated by a veterinarian. However, creating a safe, clean and comfortable place for your cat to use the bathroom is recommended for all cats, even those not having any problems. Consider whether the litter box is big enough for your cat and whether they like the litter. It is generally recommended to have a litter box 1.5x the length of your cat and it needs to be easy to get into. Be sure to scoop daily and keep the area clean and tidy. When to Call the VetIf your kitten's crying doesn't abate or if you notice additional signs of distress, such as diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, decreased appetite or excessive grooming, speak with your vet or an on-call emergency vet. Your kitty's meows and cries will change as they grow into a rambunctious young adult and beyond. Keep those lines of communication open by listening, responding and showing them lots of love.
Christine O'Brien Christine Brovelli-O'Brien, Ph.D., is a writer, researcher, STEAM educator, professional member of the Cat Writers' Association (CWA), and a devoted pet parent. Find and follow her and her cats on Instagram and Twitter @brovelliobrien This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2021)
Meow Problems playing this file? See media help. A meow or miaow is a cat vocalization. Meows may have diverse tones and are sometimes chattered, murmured or whispered. Adult cats rarely meow to each other, so an adult cat meowing to human beings is probably a post-domestication extension of meowing by kittens: a call for attention.[1]  The meow can be assertive, plaintive, friendly, bold, welcoming, attention-soliciting, demanding, or complaining. It can even be silent, where the cat opens its mouth but does not vocalize.[2] Just as humans may verbalize exhaustively when they are happy, so can cats. According to The Purrington Post, a chatty cat is likely happy too.[3] A mew is a high-pitched meow often produced by kittens.[4] It is apparently used to solicit attention from the kitten's mother,[5] and adult cats may use it as well.[4] The mew is similar to what is described in Brown et al. 1978 as an isolation call. By around three to four weeks of age kittens do not mew when at least one littermate is present, and at four to five months of age kittens stop mewing altogether.[6] In American English, the spelling "meow" was first used in 1842. Before that, the word could be spelled "miaow", "miau", or "meaw". Of any variant, the earliest attestation of a cat's cry in Early Modern English is from the 1630s.[7] Language differencesThe following table lists the onomatopoeic word for the "miau" or "meow" sound in various languages. In some languages (such as Chinese 喵, miāo, and Thai แมว, mæw), the vocalization became the name of the animal itself.[citation needed]
Look up meow in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
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