Our 17-year-old cat did this. It was an odd yowl. It was almost like she was lost in the house and wanted someone to come get her. We just went to her and picked her up for a little hug and scratch, and that seemed to make things ok. Of course, your cat could have some other problem, but that was our experience and it didn't seem to be linked to any medical problem, although she did have kidney failure. If you think she has a new game to get attention, go ahead and give it to her because a kitty of that age needs all the TLC she can get! LOL!

Very often they lose their hearing as they get old and they do that. (Like how people who start to grow old and lose their hearing tend to talk louder?)

My older kitty started doing this last spring -- turned out she had hyperthyroidism. We got her the radioactive iodine treatment and she regained her lost weight and muscle. She still meows louder than the other cats (I'm guessing its hearing loss) but she doesn't yowl like she used to. (she's now 17.5 years) If your vet did blood work and checked her thyroid level and it was fine, she's probably just going deaf.

Our current old (almost 18 years) cat does this, and a previous old cat too. My theory is that they become disoriented and feel lost. When you give them some attention they soon calm down and feel better.

I may be flamed,,and maybe some agree - but my cat Trico did this, and before, DH's cat April did this,, and in the end it turned out they asked to be let go, and we didn't get it. We made them go through a lot of treatnment and suffering,because we thought this was the right thing to do.
Sometimes it may be, but also, at least if they are at an advanced age, try to listen to them, they may want to be released.
And then they may surprise you and come back in another persona. Cats are a lot more spititual than we think - not humanized, but spiritual in their own way.

Lilod, how do you know that's why they cried, did they leave a note explaining it all? :-) Sheltie's kitty is in good health. And while 17 is definitely elderly, it's not the end. I had one cat who was perfectly healthy and happy until almost 22. I still miss the night wandering, up and down the stairs yowling loudly. When it was time to go, he was no longer bouncing his voice off the walls. I still miss him and his 'talk.'

My 17 year old Oscar does that. He'll jump on the bed at night where his buddy Barney has already settled in, try to fight with him and we'll tell him to stop. He'll then stalk off howling all the way. He eventually settles down. And in the evenings if I'm too slow in giving his majesty his dinner, he'll sit on the counter in the bathroom howling until I pay him attention and feed him. For Oscar I think he just wants attention as he stops as soon as you give him attention. He has CRF but otherwise is in fine health.

tess

If the cat is eating, drinking, using the litter box, responding to you, and as you indicated, she was recently in for her yearly check up and was given a clean bill of health,, she is not in pain. She may be deaf, or calling for love attention from you. This is something old cats do. Please do not be alarmed, unless other symptoms arise.

Thank you for all your advice and suggestions. Guess I will continue to run when she "calls" and give her the hugs and attention she so richly deserves. I will, however, continue to monitor her health for any other signs of trouble. Thanks again, everyone!

Sheltiemom, that sounds like a good plan. Just keep a close eye on her as far as her other behavior, eating, elimination, etc.

Our vet has pictures of cats that have lived into their 20's. So, without any display of health problems, I too would say just keep an eye on kitty as you say. I hope our babies live to be that old, and older.....

sheltiemom,
If it's any assurance for you my old kitty does it too!!!! I posted on here a while back and found that so many older cats do this! I am torn between thinking it is the attention yowl or maybe the disorientation yowl....I just end up giving her some "pets" and hugs and she does seem to calm down.