Cats are vocal creatures, and they meow for many reasons. While it's normal for cats to meow, excessive meowing could indicate an underlying issue. Cats may meow to greet their owners, solicit attention, ask for food, or express fear or stress. Additionally, excessive meowing can be a sign of illness, old age, or a desire to breed. To address excessive meowing, it's important to identify the underlying cause and respond appropriately. This may involve seeking veterinary advice, providing more attention or playtime, or managing their environment to reduce stress.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Reason | Attention-seeking, greeting, asking for food, asking to be let in or out, finding a mate, fear, anxiety, stress, pain or discomfort, a health condition, being in heat, pregnancy, old age, boredom, or loneliness |
Solution | Ignore the cat when it meows for attention, feed at prescribed times, install a cat door, spay or neuter the cat, provide an enriching environment, establish a routine, or consult a veterinarian |
What You'll Learn
Your cat wants your attention
Cats are known to be vocal creatures, and it can be difficult to decode everything they are trying to say. However, if your cat is meowing more than usual, there could be a specific reason behind it. Here are some reasons why your cat might be meowing to get your attention:
They want to interact with you
Your cat may be bored, lonely, or simply want your attention. Cats enjoy social contact with people, and some will be quite vocal in their requests for attention. They may want to be stroked, played with, or simply talked to. Cats who are left alone for long periods of time each day are more likely to meow for attention. Try talking with your cat, giving them a good scratch behind the ears, or having a play session with their favourite toy.
They are hungry
Hunger is one of the most common reasons cats meow. Cats that are hungry (or think they are hungry) will try to get your attention with meows, sometimes trying to lead you to their bowl or food storage area. Check to see if their food and water bowls are empty, and make sure your cat is getting enough food and not going hungry. If your cat is always hungry and meowing for food, they may have a medical condition such as hyperthyroidism.
They want to go outside
Meowing is a cat's primary way of letting you know what they want. If your cat wants to go outside, they will likely learn to meow at the door. If you are trying to transition your cat from being an indoor-outdoor cat to living exclusively indoors, you may be in for a period of incessant meowing at doors and windows. This is a difficult change for a cat to make, and it will likely take weeks or even months for the meowing to stop. Consider installing a cat door to give them outdoor access without you having to play butler.
They are stressed or scared
It is common for cats to meow when they are stressed or frightened, especially if they are in the car on the way to the vet. Help calm your cat down by alleviating stressors. If needed, give them extra attention and stability to help soothe their nerves.
They are in pain or discomfort
Cats that are uncomfortable will often be restless and meow. If something is significantly painful, it might be a sharp, ear-piercing cry. Anything from arthritis to an ingrown nail could be causing your cat discomfort. Usually a sign of contentment, your cat might also purr when in pain, so look out for other clues such as your cat excessively grooming one spot or changes in mobility.
They are greeting you
Your cat can be expected to meow in greeting when you come home, when they meet up with you in the house, or when you speak to them. This is one of the most common reasons cats meow.
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Your cat wants something from you
Cats are known to be vocal creatures, and they use their voice to tell you when they want something. If your cat is meowing at you, it may be trying to communicate one of the following:
Hunger
One of the most common reasons for a cat's meows is hunger. Cats will try to get your attention with meows, sometimes trying to lead you to their bowl or food storage area. They may also meow at the water source if their bowl needs cleaning or they want the faucet turned on.
Letting Them In or Out
Meowing is a cat's primary way of letting you know what they want. If they want to go outside, they will likely learn to meow at the door. If they're outdoors and want to come in, they will meow to get you to let them inside.
Seeking Attention
Cats enjoy social contact with people, and some will be quite vocal in their requests for attention. They may want to be stroked, played with, or simply talked to. Cats who are left alone for long periods of time each day are more likely to meow for attention.
Stress or Fear
Cats that are stressed, scared, or anxious may become more vocal. This could be due to a recent change in their environment, such as a new baby, an illness, a loss in the family, or a move.
Pain or Discomfort
Cats that are uncomfortable or in pain will often be restless and meow. If something is causing severe pain, they might let out a sharp, ear-piercing cry.
Health Condition
If your cat is meowing non-stop, and this is a new behavior, it could be a sign of an underlying health problem. For example, geriatric cats may vocalize due to confusion or disorientation caused by cognitive dysfunction, similar to Alzheimer's disease in humans. An increase in meowing could also point to other conditions, such as hyperthyroidism or kidney disease.
If your cat is meowing at you, try to identify what they might be asking for. Meeting their needs will help bring peace to both you and your feline friend.
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Your cat is stressed, scared or in pain
If your cat is meowing at you all the time, it could be a sign that they are stressed, scared, or in pain. Cats can become more vocal when they are stressed, and this can be caused by a recent change in your home, such as a new baby, an illness, the loss of a loved one, or a move. To help calm your cat down, try to alleviate any stressors and give them extra attention and stability to soothe their nerves.
Cats also meow more when they are scared or frightened, especially if they are in a stressful situation like a trip to the vet. This is sometimes accompanied by hissing. If your cat is scared, try to identify the source of their fear and remove it from their environment if possible. You can also try to provide a safe space for them to hide and observe their surroundings until they feel more comfortable.
Additionally, if your cat is in pain, they may become restless and meow frequently. This could be due to anything from arthritis to an ingrown nail. If you suspect your cat is in pain, look out for clues such as excessive grooming of one spot or changes in mobility. Take your cat to the veterinarian to get checked out and rule out any medical issues.
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Your cat is bored or lonely
Cats are intelligent creatures that require mental stimulation and engagement. Bored or lonely cats might meow to get attention from you. If your cat gets left alone for a portion of the day, they could be lonely or bored. Constant meowing might be attention-seeking behavior. Some cats even get separation anxiety.
If you think your cat is bored or lonely, try to combat boredom and loneliness by playing with them and giving them lots of attention and affection when you are home. You can also try interactive toys that add enrichment to your cat’s environment. Another good idea is to rotate toys left out for your cat so that they don’t get used to playing with the same toy day in and day out.
You can try to positively reinforce good behavior by stroking them and fussing over them when they are calm, and ignoring them when they start meowing. This is not something that can be fixed overnight, but with a bit of time and patience, you can reassure your cat that they aren’t being abandoned and that they are in a safe place.
If you have more than one cat, make sure your cat isn’t being bullied away from their food bowl or not getting their fair share. If your cat is more of a grazer, feed them small meals at least four times a day but ideally six.
If your cat is bored, they will amuse themselves in their own way, which may not always end well. They might mess up the house and pick fights, eat too much or too little, or not use their litter box.
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Your cat wants to breed
If your cat is meowing a lot, it may be because they want to breed. This is a natural desire, and it is important to spay or neuter your cat to prevent this type of yowling.
Female cats in heat will become extremely vocal, yowling for about a week every month to advertise their receptivity to males. Male cats will also yowl when they smell a female cat in heat, in an attempt to find her.
If you are experiencing this issue, it is recommended to get your cat spayed or neutered. This will help to prevent the yowling and provide relief for both you and your cat.
In addition to this, there are several other reasons why your cat may be meowing excessively:
- They want your attention. Cats crave attention and don't like being alone. They may be bored, lonely, or simply want some company.
- They want something from you. Cats use their voice to communicate their needs, such as hunger or thirst. They may also want to be let inside or outside, or even want you to change the TV channel!
- They are stressed. A recent change in your home, such as a new baby or a move, may be causing your cat to feel stressed and more vocal.
- They are aging. Older cats can experience cognitive or mental dysfunction, similar to Alzheimer's in humans. They may become disoriented and meow plaintively, especially at night.
- There is a medical issue. Excessive meowing could be a sign of pain, illness, or a disease such as kidney disease or hyperthyroidism.
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Frequently asked questions
Your cat may be hungry, especially if it is meowing near its food bowl or trying to lead you to its bowl. However, there are many other reasons why your cat may be meowing, including attention-seeking, stress, fear, or illness.
If your cat is meowing due to hunger, make sure it is being fed at prescribed times and not when it cries. If your cat is meowing to seek attention, teach it that you will only pay attention when it is quiet. If your cat is meowing due to stress or fear, try to alleviate stressors or give it extra attention and stability to soothe its nerves.
If your cat is meowing more than usual, it could be a sign of illness or pain. If you suspect this is the case, take your cat to a veterinarian for a check-up.