The Mystery Of Feral Cats Crying At Night

Feral cats are commonly misunderstood as being disease-ridden, troublesome pests. However, most feral cats are simply stray cats with feral tendencies. Feral cats may cry at night for a variety of reasons. Firstly, they may be hungry and crying for food. Secondly, they may be seeking warmth and shelter, especially during colder months. Additionally, they could be in pain or distress due to injuries, illnesses, or fights with other animals. Another reason could be that they are looking for their kittens or have lost them. Finally, they may be trying to attract a mate, as unneutered male and female cats are more likely to yowl.

Hunger

Feral cats are often hungry. They survive by scavenging for food in bins, or hunting rodents and insects. However, food can be scarce, and they often go hungry. Feral cats are not usually neutered or spayed, so female cats in particular can suffer the additional stress of pregnancy and litters of kittens.

If you hear a feral cat crying at night, it may be telling you that it is hungry. It may be crying for help, and asking to be fed. Feral cats are unlikely to meow at each other, but they do meow at people. This is probably because meowing gets a response from humans.

If you decide to feed a feral cat, be aware that you are training it to return to your door. If you do feed a feral cat, do so consistently at prescribed times, so the cat learns that it is pointless to ask for food at other times.

If you are concerned about a feral cat, you can get a humane trap and some food, and bring the cat to a vet to be spayed or neutered.

Cold

Feral cats are often exposed to harsh weather conditions, and the cold can be particularly challenging for them to endure. They may have to contend with freezing temperatures, snow, and icy conditions, making survival difficult. Feral cats typically have thicker coats to provide some insulation against the cold, but this may not always be sufficient.

During the cold season, feral cats face a constant struggle to find adequate shelter and warmth. They seek out enclosed spaces, such as bushes, abandoned buildings, or even crawl spaces under houses, to shield themselves from the elements. These locations offer some respite from the cold and help them conserve body heat.

In addition to finding shelter, feral cats also have to expend more energy to forage for food in the cold. Their natural food sources, such as rodents and insects, may be scarce during winter, forcing them to roam further and expend more energy to find sustenance. This can lead to weight loss and a weakened condition if they are unable to meet their nutritional needs.

The harsh weather conditions can also take a toll on their health. Feral cats are susceptible to frostbite, especially on their ears, tails, and paws. Hypothermia is another concern, as prolonged exposure to cold can lead to a dangerous drop in body temperature. Additionally, cold and damp conditions can exacerbate respiratory issues, making them more vulnerable to illnesses.

Feral cats may also face competition for resources during the cold season. Other feral cats, as well as wildlife such as raccoons and foxes, will be seeking similar shelter and food sources, leading to potential conflicts and territorial disputes.

To survive the cold, feral cats employ various strategies. They may huddle together in groups for warmth or seek out human sources of warmth, such as engine compartments of parked cars or even warm pipes under houses. They may also be attracted to the warmth and potential food sources associated with human habitation, leading them to cry at night near human dwellings.

Overall, the cold presents a significant challenge to the survival of feral cats, and their resilience and adaptability are crucial for making it through the harsh winter months.

Pregnancy and litters

While there is no direct evidence that links pregnancy and litters to the reason why feral cats cry at night, there are a few reasons why feral cats in general cry at night, and these could apply to pregnant feral cats as well.

Firstly, female cats can produce a scream-like sound when they are in heat or mating. This shrill, wailing noise is referred to as caterwauling and is persistent and dramatic. This sound is how cats that are not neutered attract males and let them know it's time to mate. Male cats can also produce this sound when they sense a female in heat. During copulation, female cats experience pain due to the male cat's barbed penis, which can lead to crying and screaming. Additionally, female cats may fight and try to escape during mating, which can result in more cries and screams.

Secondly, feral cats may cry at night due to hunger or thirst. Finding food and clean water can be challenging for cats living on the streets, and they may go for days without eating or drinking.

Thirdly, feral cats may cry because they are in pain. Living on the streets exposes them to various dangers, such as getting hit by vehicles or fighting with other animals, which can result in injuries and pain.

Lastly, fear or anxiety can cause feral cats to cry. They might be afraid of other animals or humans in their territory, and they may use repeated vocalizations to express their stress.

While pregnancy and litters were not specifically mentioned as reasons for feral cats crying at night, it is possible that pregnant feral cats may be more vocal due to increased hunger, thirst, or pain. Additionally, they may be more anxious or fearful, seeking a safe place to give birth and care for their litters.

Danger

Feral cats are often considered a nuisance, but they are simply trying to survive. They are always on the lookout for food and shelter, and their cries at night can be attributed to several reasons. Firstly, they may be crying out of hunger, signalling to humans that they are in need of food. Secondly, during colder months, they may be seeking warmth and comfort, which is difficult to find outdoors.

Another reason for their nighttime cries is the stress of pregnancy and litters. Most feral cats are not spayed or neutered, and female cats endure the hardships of frequent pregnancies and litters. If you hear a stray cat crying, it may be calling for a kitten that it cannot find or has lost.

Living outdoors also exposes feral cats to various dangers and unpredictable situations, such as getting run over by vehicles or getting into fights with other animals. By crying loudly, they are communicating their need for immediate help and attention.

While it may be challenging to ignore their cries, it is important to remember that feeding them will only encourage their return. If you choose to feed a feral cat, be aware that you are training it to come back to your door. Additionally, unowned cats may carry diseases, so it is crucial to keep them away from your pets until you are certain they are healthy.

Mating

Feral cats are known to be extremely territorial and will fight for their right to mate. During the breeding season, female cats will yowl to advertise their receptivity to males, and males will yowl to gain access to females. This is a way for cats to communicate with each other during mating season.

Feral cats are skilled in survival and will fight for their right to mate and eat. They are fierce predators and will roam looking for intact females and submissive males. The cats will then start to colonize, especially around an easy food source. Unaltered cats, which are typically stray or feral cats, will stay near the food source and begin to fight and mate.

Tomcats will scream in the middle of the night as they confront each other and fight for food, the right to mate, and challenge the alpha of the group. It is not always the males who are the alpha; females can also effectively achieve the level of alpha in a group.

Feral cats are not socialized and are afraid of people. They try to hide and avoid being touched, which makes them poor candidates for adoption. However, they will communicate with each other during mating season through yowling.

Frequently asked questions