Do Kittens Cry When They Are Hungry?

When a kitten cries and meows excessively, it often is a demand for something, and that something often is food. If her tummy is feeling empty, she will likely not hesitate to let you know it, hence the crying fest. A kitten may also cry not because she is necessarily hungry, but just because she wants some food anyway. If your little princess revs up her yowling machine any time you're in the room, she may be hoping for your pity -- and a little munch on something delicious, perhaps.

Some kittens indeed do cry as a result of hunger, although that hunger may be linked to an underlying medical condition. If your precious pet was fed at her normal mealtime yet still seems to be crying out for food, consider the possibility that she may be experiencing a health problem. Many feline health disorders trigger unusual appetite boosts, including diabetes and Cushing's syndrome. If you suspect that your kitten's persistent hunger-induced crying may be medically related, take her to the veterinarian for a physical examination as soon as possible.

Before assuming that your kitty is just a spoiled diva when it comes to food, make sure that she's not in pain. Her crying may have absolutely nothing to do with her appetite. Crying often is a sign that your pet is simply not comfortable. Perhaps her stomach is in severe pain due to constipation or inflammatory bowel disease issues. Whatever the medical cause is, get to the root of it by taking your cat in for a vet appointment, immediately.

Just like people, cats are also susceptible to the occasional bout of anxiety. If your kitten is stressed out and feeling blue, she may express it by crying -- a lot. Kittens -- and adult cats -- don't usually react very positively to change. If you just adopted your kitten into your home, the strange new environment, sounds, smells, people and other pets may just be too much for her.

Your kitty may also be feeling anxious due to loneliness. She might just want a little one-on-one attention from yours truly. Be sure to spend some good old-fashioned quality time with your kitten for at least 15 minutes a day, whether you're hugging her close to you or playing "hide and seek" with her after work.

Kittens hit sexual maturity seemingly faster than the speed of light. Some cats are mature enough for breeding as quickly as 4 months -- yikes. Excessive crying and yowling behaviors are common in both unfixed male and female cats that are ready for breeding. Instead of blaming your kitty's vocalization on her gluttonous hunger, consider her age.