Can Cats Cry?

​Cats have long been companies of us humans, sharing our homes, our lives, and our emotions together.

A lot of the time, cat owners feel like their cat has a distinct personality and are in tune with their companions’ emotions.

But what about cats? Do they feel emotions like we do, and more importantly, can cats cry? And do they cry as we humans do?

​It’s a commonly asked question among cat owners, and within this article, we’ll explain whether cats can cry or not, and why this is the case.

Why Does My Cat Reach His Paw Out To Me

Unsurprisingly, cats don’t actually shed tears as we humans do, at least not for emotional reasons, but sometimes cats may actually display some symptoms of being sad, with a vocal crying-like sound being one of those symptoms!

Other symptoms include loss of appetite, increase in sleep, shaking, changes to litter box habits, and increased aggression. 

All of these changes in behavior can be signs of either physical or emotional distress and as an owner, it’s incredibly important to regularly check in with your cat to ensure that they are well both emotionally and physically.
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​You can do this simply by checking your cat for any unusual spots, or any sores, if your cat hisses, then it’s usually a good indicator that something is up, whether that’s from stress, anxiety, or physical pain.

What Does It Mean When A Cat Cries?

If your cat is vocally crying, there are a number of things that could be causing this:
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Anxiety
Cats are extremely sensitive and aware animals, if you find that your cat is crying in your absence through a pet cam or the like, it could mean that your cat is suffering from separation anxiety. 

​Or, cats can also suffer from anxiety due to other reasons, with changes to life being an incredibly common reason for a cat crying.

​Things such as moving house, changes in your schedule, movement of furniture, change in diet, moved litter box or food, brand of litter filler, or even the introduction of a new pet into the home can all be reasons for your cat’s distress, so it’s a good idea to try and remember any notable changes that your cat may have experienced to try and figure out why they’re crying.
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Ageing And Arthritis
​Cats can tend to become more vocal with age, and cats sometimes can suffer from cognitive dysfunction and mental confusion as they age, just like us humans.

Elderly cats may struggle in the night time especially, and will often cry due to disorientation, but you can help your companion by providing some small night lights to help them get around during the night.

But, if your elderly cats’ voices are beginning to sound more painful it could be down to arthritis, some of the signs to look out for include difficulty jumping, avoiding climbing things such as the stairs, and other disruptions to their regular mobility.

​If you notice these changes it’s vital that you take your cat to the vet to be examined as soon as possible.
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​Mourning
As previously mentioned, cats are sensitive creatures, both to other animals and to us humans, so when someone passes away, they’re likely to notice.

So just in the same way that we may cry when someone we care about passes away, cats also do the same!
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​In this case, you can only offer the same level of comfort and concern you’d offer a fellow human, so just try and make your cat feel as loved as possible.
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Attention
Sometimes, cats will just cry in a plea for attention! It is common for owners to assume the worst when your cat begins to cry, but sometimes cats just want our attention, but it is important not to punish them for it!
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What To Do If Your Cat Is Crying

​Hearing your cat cry constantly can be an incredibly emotional and sad sound, and if the thought of your cat crying is upsetting you, then you will surely want to help!

The first thing to note is that you should never try to punish your cat for crying or meowing, it is their primary communication device with humans and a cat meowing usually means they are trying to tell you something.

​So if your cat is crying, here’s a list of things you can do to hopefully help cheer them up!
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Rule Out Health Conditions
​The first thing to do when trying to help your crying companion is to make sure they’re not crying because they’re injured or hurting, so give your cat the once over by gently pressing around.

​If you do find anything abnormal then it is best that you take them to the vet to get it properly assessed!
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Music
​If your cat is suffering from anxiety, especially separation anxiety, it might be worth trying to put some music on for them.
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​Sound is a key sensory cue for cats and will often respond to it. Although something like the radio may help, there is specific music for cats out there that may be worth trying!
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Affection
​One of the simplest ways to help comfort your cat is just by giving them plenty of love and affection!

​Cats can be incredibly intimate animals and if your cat is feeling particularly sad or is crying consistently then sometimes a bit of extra affection can help comfort your companion. 
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Do Cats Shed Tears?

​Cat’s eyes can and do sometimes tear up, but this is not an emotional response.
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​Instead, a cat’s tears are usually as a result of injury or illness and are typically when there is an issue with their eyes.

Allergies or irritants are usually the culprits of something like this, but if the issue is persistent then it’s important you take your cat to vets in order to get it checked properly.