Why is my new kitten crying?

Bringing a new kitten home is an exciting time in our lives, but for the kitten, sometimes the experience of moving to a new home can be overwhelming. Leaving his family, who he’d had around 24 hours a day, new people and possibly pets, different home, smells. It can be all too much, particularly in younger kittens.

They may either react with fear and hide in a quiet corner, or they may cry. Both of which are distressing to both the kitten and his new owners.

Settling into a new home

It is normal for a new kitten to cry and meow excessively in the early days; he is scared and lonely. A new home is a big change and crying is perfectly normal, particularly at night.

I have only experienced this with one kitten, and she cried for around 3-4 days. For the rest of her life, she was a quiet cat. It can happen with any kitten but is more common in younger kittens, which is another good reason not to adopt a kitten before the age of 10-12 weeks so that they are more independent.

Sudden meowing in a usually quiet kitten

There is a difference between a kitten meowing from the time he moves into his new home to a usually quiet kitten who suddenly becomes vocal, the latter could be due to either sickness (some cats can meow more when they’re not feeling well), or if you have a female cat, she could have come into heat. Some females can have their first heat as early as 4-6 months.

Talkative cats

Some kittens and cats are naturally more talkative than others. Siamese and Oriental breeds are famous for this. When choosing a cat, speak to the breeder or shelter about your needs.

Excessive vocalisation is a common cause of cats being surrendered to animal shelters. So if you don’t think you can handle a talkative cat, try (if possible) to choose a quieter one. The breeder or shelter will be able to tell you which ones are talkers and which ones are quiet.

Other causes

Kittens and mother cats meow to each other; however, adult cats reserve meowing only for humans and not other cats. There are many reasons cats meow at their human companions and many types of meow. From the nagging ‘feed me immediately before I die of starvation’ meow, to the friendly chirp as they greet you, the ‘let me in/let me out‘ meow, and the very noisy meow of a cat in heat and some cats just like to give a running commentary on life (see the previous paragraph).

Helping the meowing kitten

Time, love and patience. Your kitten needs time while he adjusts to his new home and plenty of love to make him feel secure. I have found my kittens tend to settle in within a few days and the crying abates.

• Firstly remember that this should pass. Excessive meowing and crying usually resolve once the kitten has settled in. In the meantime, you need to help him to settle in. Keep your kitten close to you during the day, as much as is possible. He will appreciate the company and can get to know you.
• If you are out for long periods, consider adopting two kittens, so they can settle in together and keep each other company.
• On a night you have two choices, have him in your bedroom with you, or confine him to a small room in the house (laundry is ideal in case of accidents). If you choose the laundry option, make a comfortable bed, and if it is cold, put a ‘warm’ hot water bottle or heating pad under half of his blanket. Wrap up a ticking clock that can mimic his mother’s heartbeat. I also like to add a small, soft teddy bear to his bed to snuggle up with. Make sure he has a litter tray, fresh food and clean water in the room with him.
• During the day, try to schedule several play sessions with your kitten. In the wild, a cat hunts his prey, kills and then eats it, followed by sleep. Wand toys are particularly good for this, let him chase and hunt the toy, at the end of the game, let him catch and kill his prey. Feed him immediately after his play session to mimic the hunt, eat, sleep cycle. Not only will playing help him sleep, but it will also assist in helping him get to know you.
• Feliway is a synthetic pheromone that mimics the cat’s natural feel-good pheromones which are secreted from glands on the lips, cheek, and forehead. This is a great product to help induce a sense of well-being in your cat. It comes in a spray or plug-in form and can be of assistance to a nervous or anxious kitten.
• I always recommend taking a new kitten to the vet within a day of bringing him home, to make sure everything is okay.
• He should see a veterinarian if the meowing hasn’t decreased after a few days.