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My semi-feral cat howls at night. Is she adjusting to indoor life?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Longhair | Female | 4 years and 1 month old | 15 lbs

Asking alot of questions lately on my new roomate Misty a semi feral prob too much but heres another. Her constantly howling at night n scratchn on windows are drivn me crazy n she doesnt do it till i go to bed, doubt heat related. She used to lie n my lap when i fed her at work but here at home hasnt n 24 days. Did i make a mistake by taking her from livn n a hay barn? Would she be best going back or to a no kill shelter here? Tryn to sleep a minute ago, hollering, light back on n awake, quiet.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on April 30th, 2017

An adult feral cat may have a difficult transition to being an indoor cat. If she is intact, the vocalizations and nighttime behaviors could indeed be heat related. Having her spayed may decrease those behaviors but may not completely eliminate them.
Try a pheromone collar, spray or plug in diffuser to decrease any anxiety she may be experiencing. If that doesn't help, an exam with your veterinarian to diagnose any underlying cause would be recommended. If you think she would be happier back at the barn, have her spayed (if she isn't already) to prevent accidental or unwanted litters. Some cats prefer living outdoors and that's may be the case here.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on April 12th, 2017
Hi there. It sounds like she just maybe hasn't adjusted fully to being inside yet.

If you are trying to make her an inside cat and you want to see if it is behavioral and not medical (like heat related) then I would suggest minimizing stress by getting some Feliway diffusers for your house. If you are not familiar with it Feliway is "happy cat" pheromones and works very well to calm cats. They are diffusers you plug into the wall like air fresheners. You won't smell anything but the cats will and it works great! You can buy them online or at most large pet stores. Here is a link to the Feliway website and the to a website to where you can order it:

http://www.feliway.com/us/FELIWAY/FELIWAY-Diffuser

https://www.chewy.com/feliway-30-day-starter-kit-plug-in/dp/121785

It may work and if not, it won't hurt anything. If no improvement, then I would say to take her in to the vet for a check up with some blood work to investigate for a medical issue.

I think if you have been feeding her for 2 years and she was outside semi-feral cat and she was not spayed she would have been pregnant and had kittens already so I doubt she is displaying 'in heat" behavior but I guess stranger things have happened and it could be :) I doubt it though.

I hope this helps. Best wishes to you and Misty!

Dr. Amber
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Priyanka Thakkar, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on April 10th, 2017
Sounds like she may be in heat if she not spayed. The other potential cause could be behavioral because she is used to being outside. I would talk to your veterinarian and see if getting her fixed could help her behavior before you let her back out in the barn.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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