Thread: My cat won't stop whining!?

We keep our cat Patches in our basement during the night because we don't want her to roam the house. But recently she has taken to meowing at the top of the stairs behind the door. My mom, who can't sleep because of it, suggested that if she stayed at the bottom of the stairs we wouldn't be able to hear her. So we bought a 6-foot-tall foam board and wedged it between the walls at the bottom of the stairs. Today Patches found a way to slip under the board. I am beginning to think this cat is unbeatable. Any suggestions?

Two things to say... How would you like it if you were locked in the basement?! And your cat might want a mate or its just saying "GET ME OUT OF HERE MASTER! WHERE ARE YOU?".... -.-

Sounds like she probably just feels lonely and wants to be with you. Is there anyway she could sleep in a room upstairs instead?

If not its probably best to ignore her. If you go calm her down for even just a little bit, you'll only teach her that her meowing and whining will get you to come and give her attention. It may take a while, but if you ignore her, she'll eventually learn that whining does no good and stop. Also, some cats are afraid of the dark so maybe you could try leaving a night light on? Leaving a towel with yours or familiar scents might not hurt either. Good luck!

My guess is that Patches is in heat. Get her fixed.

Patches whines and meows because she wants to be with her family. So much so, she has found a way to whip the foam board problem. I know I wouldn't like being locked in the basement at night while my family is upstairs without me. Perhaps there is something about the basement she doesn't like in addition to that. :-(
If she can't roam the house at night, can she sleep in your room?

In the words of the late, great Jimi Hendrix, "Loneliness is such a drag."

I would say that there are probably two solutions...well, three. 1). get used to the whining. 2). let her roam the house at night. 3). get a companion cat to keep her company.

If it were me, I'd do both 2 and 3.