The cat is crying: cat emotions, reasons for tears, what to do

Can cats experience emotions?

“Do animals have consciousness?” - a question on which scientists cannot come to a compromise. Emotions make mammals similar to humans. It can be said that basic emotions such as fear or anger are biologically primitive and the same across all species. Some experts believe that there is no division of emotions into basic and secondary. Therefore, it is possible for animals to feel all human emotions.

A sad cat means grief in the family!

Causes of cat tears

Cats and dogs, like humans, have tear glands and ducts that carry secretions to the surface of the eye. Biologically, they are needed to lubricate the eyes, protect and cleanse them from dust, dirt and foreign bodies such as insects. There are animals whose individual characteristics allow them to cry at any time, just like people. The causes of tears depend on biological and emotional factors. The most common of them are those described below.

Puberty

If the kitten has already reached adolescence and has passed it, then puberty is a common cause of tearing. It manifests itself in completely different ways. It is clear that the cats begin to meow loudly and mark the house or apartment, and the cats purr and strike a pose. However, in some animals this period may be marked differently. For example, some cats begin to “cry”. This manifests itself in periodically wet eyes and increased discharge from them.

Important! It is impossible to say whether this is an emotional disorder or whether there is a biological reason for this, since scientists have not fully figured out whether cats feel emotions.

To attract attention

Well, tailed pets have always been able to attract attention. Not all cats live on their own and often require the same attention and care as dogs. If the animal does not receive enough affection, is not played with and is not taken care of, this becomes the reason that the cat begins to “cry”, attracting the attention of the owners.

Calling mom

It's not just females who start acting sad after breaking up with their kittens. Babies also feel separation and spend a long time looking for and calling their mother to drink milk from her breast. In this situation, you should not be surprised that the little cat is crying - this is a normal reaction. The recommendation for handling babies is as follows: kittens should be taken home at approximately three months of age, when they become a little more independent and accustomed to regular food.

Cat tongue

To recognize your cat's mood, you need to observe her behavior and changes in posture. When the cat:

lies relaxed next to you - the mood is good, playful;
she lays down with her stomach up - you can pet her;

There is never enough love!

sits with his back to you, does not respond to your name - it is better not to touch him, wait for a more favorable moment;
arches his back, fluffing his fur - severe fear;
in a curved position it becomes sideways - warns of an attack, is able to release its claws;
pressed to the ground, ears stuck out, growling - very bad mood;
looks into your eyes for a few seconds - greeting;
peers for a long time - an invitation to communication;
purrs - joy, harmony;

Love must not only be received, but also given!

shifts from paw to paw - a manifestation of tenderness.

When to go to the vet

If tears were noticed in the cat’s eyes and this is not the first time this has happened, then there is no need to immediately panic. A trip to the veterinarian is not necessary if the animal looks friendly and plays and eats normally.

A cat that cries constantly should seriously alert its owner, since increased tear production can be a sign of various acute and chronic diseases. If you do not consult a doctor in time, you can complicate further recovery or experience many complications that will directly affect the health and life expectancy of your pet.

A crying cat could be seriously ill

Thus, it was told whether cats can cry and why the kitten constantly cries. There can be many reasons for this behavior. Perhaps the cat harbored a grudge against its owner when he yelled or scolded him. It also cannot be ruled out that the cat may have pain in its paws or internal organs. You shouldn’t put off going to the vet if this phenomenon occurs regularly, but you also don’t need to go to him for any reason.

Do cats cry?

Experts believe that furry couch potatoes can become severely depressed. Therefore, laws were introduced in Europe on the need to keep two animals of the same species. So that they entertain each other while their owners are away. But cats, due to strong emotions, cannot cry. An animal becomes apathetic and lethargic when it feels offended.

Important! If a member of the cat family experiences stress for a long time, is in an unusual environment, or suffers a strong shock, he may get sick! In this case, owners need to think about their behavior and devote more time to the “crying” pet.

Sadness can lead to serious illnesses!

Examinations and first aid

It turns out that cats can cry. And the fact that the cat is crying may indicate the fluffy’s inability to properly care for himself or a disease. The latter will be clearly evidenced by a loudly crying cat. Something is clearly bothering her and she's talking about it.

If an animal cries, how can you tell that the cat does not have a serious illness? That her ability to cry is due to harmless reasons? You can observe her behavior from time to time.

What to pay attention to:

Has the cat's behavior changed?
How is her appetite?
Have her habits changed?

If you are convinced that something is wrong, this is a reason to consult a doctor.

To diagnose the disease, the veterinarian will conduct a survey and, based on the answers, tests and personal observations, will conclude why the cat is crying and what may be bothering him. The doctor will prescribe treatment and help get rid of the problem.

Why the cat cries: reasons

Scientists have proven whether domestic cats can cry for physiological reasons. Here are some of them:

Tears appear to naturally moisturize the eye (protecting the cornea from drying out and contamination).
In breeds with bulging eyes (round slits), the mucous membrane is constantly involuntarily moistened.

Some breeds are prone to eye diseases.

Possible obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct (when all the fluid comes out).
Conjunctivitis (inflammatory process in the outer layer of the eye).
Protrusion (prolapse of the third eyelid).
Eenropion (turning of the eyelids).
Corneal sequestration (a disease found only in cats, caused by tissue necrosis).
Uevitis (internal inflammation of the eye).
Glaucoma (increased intraocular pressure).

Reasons for crying in cats

I would like to say right away that there is no need to be afraid. A cat’s tears are not always the cause of some terrible illness, which is why it’s time to take the fluffy one to the doctor. Without knowing for sure the reasons why a cat is crying, it is impossible to begin to “treat” it.

Remember little kittens. You can almost always see discharge on their eyes. And their color, and their structure, and quantity are also not always the same. Transparent liquid streams from someone's eyes. And the other has reddish, stretchy “snot.” And the third kittens cry today, but not tomorrow. And what is it? Disease? Or is it just physiology? Or maybe the characteristics of some age-related hormonal changes in the body. But most often the reason why baby cats cry is that they simply haven’t learned to wash themselves yet. And they can’t take the tears away from their eyes.

What other reasons are there why you shouldn’t sound the alarm?:

After sleep, almost all cats collect some fluid, which makes the cat appear to be crying;
Just like in humans, cat tears perform the function of cleansing the eye;
Cats are incredibly emotional creatures. And sometimes this affects their facial expressions and physiological functions. A cat may cry when it is happy or upset for some reason;
Any active activity of a cat, from pulling up to playful jumping, can lead to the animal “crying.” In fact, this is the result of more active work of the mucous membranes during the cat’s movements;
And even onions in food, or if you cut them in front of a cat, can cause a similar reaction.

These reasons why cats cry are not serious. Nothing bothers the fluffy one. He is actually healthy. But there is also cause for concern when the owner sees that his cat is crying. What are these reasons :

Conjunctivitis;
Other infectious or viral diseases of the orbit, canals and tissue around the eye;
Injuries (this also includes the fact that a foreign body has entered the cat’s eye, causing a reaction - the eye cries, and the cat itself can behave restlessly and meow);
Turn of the century;
Allergy;
Worms.

Many reasons are serious enough to promptly consult a doctor. For example, conjunctivitis is a disease that occurs most often. The infection, infecting one eye, quickly spreads to the second. And very soon both of the cat’s eyes begin to water. What comes before this? Most often, a cat will often restlessly scratch its eye with its paw. By the way, it is these actions that contribute to the spread of infection. After all, then, as the cat rubs the infected eye with its paw, it licks this paw and immediately licks the second one, which it will use to wipe the other, still healthy eye. What are the consequences of conjunctivitis? The discharge will very soon become purulent. Unfortunately, everything can end in loss of vision if you do not notice in time that the cat is crying.

What else could be causing a cat to cry? Features of the breed. For example, the British or cute Persians can “cry.” Knowing this, what can the owners of these pets do? Include in your daily cat care and wiping its face.

How to deal with lacrimation in a cat

When faced with increased lacrimation in a cat, the main thing is not to waste time and prevent infection of the irritated mucous membranes. If you are unable to see a doctor as soon as possible, before receiving professional help, try to alleviate your pet’s condition yourself.

Preventive agents for disinfecting mucous membranes can be purchased at a pet store. Usually the products are drops or solutions for wiping. If, for some reason, this option is not suitable for you, you can use the following as an antiseptic solution:

Decoctions of herbs (calendula, chamomile, oak bark) for wiping the eyelids.
A strong brew of tea for cleaning eyelids and soaking crusts.
A weak solution of furatsilin.

Note! Cats with allergies are not recommended to use herbal decoctions as antiseptics, as this can only aggravate the situation.

Examinations and first aid

If an animal cries, how can you tell that the cat does not have a serious illness? That her ability to cry is due to harmless reasons? You can observe her behavior from time to time.

What to pay attention to:

Has the cat's behavior changed?
How is her appetite?
Have her habits changed?

If you are convinced that something is wrong, this is a reason to consult a doctor.