My cat is meowing at night, sleeping more, and won't play. Is he sick?

That’s a tough one! I don’t think the vet would think you are wasting their time as it’s always beneficial to have a physical exam and I think in Stinky Pete’s case, it would be beneficial. Hyperthyroidism can cause increased activity and increased vocalizing and is common in older cats. Older cats can also get dementia which presents the same way. Lastly, older pets can be more prone to anxiety, just like older humans. The vet may test the thyroid and go from there based upon the results. Many of these cats will get sedatives at night if anxiety is suspected. You could also try a pheromone diffuser called Feliway. There is also a prescription diet called Calm which some cats respond well to. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Certainly personalities can change as cats get older, but i would recommend making sure there isn't a medical explanation for her behavior. We see conditions like hyperthyroidism (a high thyroid level) which can cause increased activity as one of its first signs. If her exam and bloodwork is all normal, it might just be a behavioral change as Princess gets older and is nothing to worry about. I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Nighttime vocalization in older cats is often due to an underlying medical problem such as hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease, or high blood pressure. I would recommend taking Samson to the vet for an exam and lab work to check for these problems. If a problem is found, starting on appropriate treatment will often resolve the vocalization issues.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! A few main concerns are coming to mind for Bubbles. 1) Hyperthyroid disease- the vocalizing fits with this but usually an increase in appetite is noted. We also usually see weight loss. This can be diagnosed with a blood test that may or may not be a part of the "regular" bloodwork done. 2) Pain - a severe arthritis flare up can cause vocalizing and reluctance to move. If bloodwork comes back normal, x-rays and or a pain medication trial would be my next steps. 3) Cognitive dysfunction (senility) or other neurological problem - Though it is not as well documented in cats as in dogs, we do definitely see cats that have dementia. This usually manifests as: wakefulness/vocalizing at night, loss of litterbox training, seeming to be lost, sudden anxiety, and other signs. I have seen cats act like this with sudden blindness (a few underlying causes) because they are anxious to leave the places they know best (bed, food, litter box). Finally, brain tumors, clots in the brain (underlying heart disease) and other neurological problems may manifest similarly to this. Long story short, get a good eye exam and some bloodwork done. Then consider x-rays and/or a pain medication trial. If none of these help, discuss possible next steps with your vet. Best wishes to you and Bubbles!

I'd keep an eye on Charlie for now. If his meow stays different over the next 48 hours or he develops other signs like lethargy, sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, or a loss of appetite, then I'd have him seen by a vet.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I recommend taking Princess to a vet for an exam and blood work. It is very common for older cats to have an overactive thyroid. One of the signs of hyperthyroidism is increased meowing. Another is matted hair coat. The blood work will test for this and determine if she needs treatment. If so, the vet can discuss your options. If she is hyperthyroid and she gets medications to control this, the increased meowing will stop. Kisses to Princess!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your cat. I would recommend a trip to the veterinarian to ensure she is not suffering a medical problem causing this behavior change. A disease known as hyperthyroidism can cause increased vocalizations in a cat. It is usually accompanied an increase in thirst and urination, hyperactivity, possibly vomiting/ diarrhea and weight loss. She will likely have blood work performed to rule out this as well as other internal diseases. If she is found to be healthy, then you can discuss behavioral modifications at home. I hope this information helps!