6 Reasons Your Cat Won't Stop Meowing At You November 16 2020, 20 Comments
Do you find yourself asking, “Why does my cat meow so much?” Does your cat carry on entire conversations with you? Cats communicate through a variety of sounds and vocalizations, from meows to growls to hisses. As kittens, they’ll meow to their moms when they’re cold, hungry, or scared. But as they age, cats mostly rely on body language and other more subtle vocalizations. But did you know that adult cats reserve their meows for communicating with their humans?
Most cat owners can agree that after a while, deciphering our cat’s meows becomes almost second nature. There’s the ever infamous “I’m hungry” meow and the “C’mon, let’s play!” trills. But besides the obvious meows we’re able to easily recognize as cat parents, there are more than a few reasons your cat keeps meowing at you.
1. Illness
Some cats are naturally more chatty than others - Siamese cats are known for being especially fond of expressing their opinions vocally. But if your cat is suddenly meowing more than usual, to the point of excessiveness, this may be a sign of an underlying illness. For instance, cats of all ages can develop an overactive thyroid or kidney disease, both of which can result in excessive vocalizations. It’s important to pay attention to your cat’s behavior - and of course, their meows. They may be trying to tell you something is wrong and a vet checkup may be in order.
2. Stressors
While some cats handle stress differently (like humans), a stressed cat may often become more vocal. Whether you’ve introduced a new pet or there has been a big move or changes made in the home, if your cat is stressed they might turn into a talker. Observe your cat for other signs of stress, and try to root out the source of it. If you can’t locate the source of stress or are unable to change it, be sure to give your cat some extra TLC and quiet time to help calm them down. Vertical space such as a cat tree can furnish some needed space or a hiding place that can reduce your cat’s stress as well as provide a great place to sleep or exercise.
3. Signs of Aging
As cats age, they can sometimes suffer from a form of mental confusion (or cognitive dysfunction), just like humans. This can cause them to become disoriented and cry for no apparent reason, especially at night. A nightlight sometimes can help if your cat becomes disoriented at night, and veterinarians often can prescribe medications that help ease these symptoms.
4. They’re in heat
If your cat is not spayed or neutered, be prepared for a lot more racket. Unaltered females in heat will yowl to attract a mate - and unaltered males will yowl in reply when they smell a female in heat. Spaying and neutering your cat will prevent this caterwauling. On top of that, spaying and neutering can actually improve your pet’s health, curb behavioral issues, and help save on the long-term cost of veterinary care.
5. Attention Seeking
While cats aren’t pack animals like dogs, that doesn’t mean they want to be alone all the time! Cats prefer to be social with the humans they love and trust. So despite the stereotypes of the “aloof” cat, your cat may be meowing to grab your attention because they’re feeling lonely - or even just bored.
If your cat isn’t getting the attention or stimulation they crave, it can result in incessant meows and 4 am kitty wake up calls. Provide your favorite feline with plenty of playtime with you - a tired cat is a quiet cat! But also provide them with toys they can bat around themselves during the day when you’re not home to encourage them to play. Catnip-filled toys are a great choice as the catnip also stimulates and encourages your cat to play - instead of nap all day.
6. Begging
Most pet parents know this meow like the back of their hand: The “FEED ME” meow. Many cats learn that anytime someone walks into the kitchen, if they meow for food there’s a chance they’ll get a bite to eat. And anytime you feed them after they come in meows blaring, you’re reinforcing this behavior. If your cat is a chronic beggar who meows at the top of their lungs, avoid feeding your cat when he cries. Wait until he quiets down to put down food, and don’t give her treats when she meows.
Comments
no one on January 06 2022 at 05:48PM
I adopted two cats and one the little one all she does is meow i am gong crazy its all day and all night. I cant take it anymore. I dont want to give her up but I cant handle it she has food she has toys she has everything now when she gets scared she crawls into the gross toliet and hides in there and still howls i am going to have to return her.
Carol on December 28 2021 at 08:07PM
My one cat is getting up in age. Does a lot of night crying. Or when she wakes up too. I have a night light. Sometimes her cries are deep. She’s OK when you pick her by her tummy she doesn’t like something hurts and she sleeps once in a while with me.
Olivia on September 20 2021 at 12:41PM
Me and my boyfriend bought at cat in February the cat stayed at his house . He had to live so now the cat stays with me and she meows more than she did at the old house what does this mean and how can I help . She’s also use to staying in the house with ge em an Shepard and now she sleeps in my laundry/ screened in patio area
Amy on July 19 2021 at 12:32PM
My 10 yr old cat and 2 days ago she started really meowing and i dont understand why she eats gd and uses the litter box normal plz can u give me any advice
Joe on July 07 2021 at 08:16PM
My cats about 8 months old it’s going on 3 days of me yelling for her to shut up she’s got food,toys hiding spots to play or nap but for 3 days non stop meowing every where around the house how do I get her to stop I need sleep please help thank you for reading this
drea on April 16 2021 at 12:32PM
my cat is a 8 month old male tuxedo kitty and hes been yowling all morning for the past two weeks or so. everyone’s just telling me to neuter him should i?
Katie on February 13 2021 at 04:45PM
My feline has lost his sister and now he mewwos slot but he has always done but not so bad what should I do
Rachel on January 14 2021 at 11:37PM
My kitten Mischief is like 6 months old and and when he was little I played ruff with him now it’s backfired all he wants to do is play ruff how can I break him of that I have to literally put long sleeves on just to prevent him of scratching me and bitting and he attacks my face all the time thinking I’m playing with him or if I pick him up he’ll get mean and start crying then attack me .And I’ve spanked him many times but I’ve been doing research and it says not to spank how do I teach him not to attack mommy.
Also he constantly meow’s all the time ,when I pick him up and he just runs away.
What am I doing wrong I spoil him with toys and treats and tons of love I got him scratching post.
Rachael on January 01 2021 at 01:11PM
My cat is a he and he is 7 months old and a few weeks ago he started meowing and meowing, no specific time or reason either. I have tried many things and it seems to not be what he wanted. I just don’t know what he is trying to tell me .
Isabel on August 31 2020 at 02:59PM
My cat is around 3-4 months and when we first got her we put a collar on her, but then we took it off. She recently found her collar ,and won’t stop meowing at it. I know there’s some reason behind it behind it, but I just can’t seem to find the right one.
Sierra on July 15 2020 at 06:27PM
My cat came hone a couple of hours from being gone a week five or take, and sometimes she starts meowing at me repeatedly and I think that she just wants attention bc she was locked in a shed or something, so after reading this article I wasn’t as worried because figuring that she was locked in a shed all alone, she’s lonely and wants love, or she’s apologizing for getting stuck.. lol either way I feel crappy because I was calling out for her for days thinking the was in a tree and I heard no response.. and I didn’t even think to ask the neighbors to open their sheds,,, well…. I did think about it….. but I’m super duper shy so…🤷🏻♀️😢
Thea on May 20 2020 at 11:21AM
My youngest cat keeps on getting outside and is loving people more than she should. I know that cats can detect when something is going to go wrong. I just don’t understand her sometimes. My cat also NEVER sleeps, or it seems like that and non stop she has been sleeping. Could this be a sign for anything? She is a Gray Tabby.
My oldest cat is a Siamese and as she is getting older (she is 18) she is starting to get crazier and crazier. Does this mean anything or am I just freaking out. Also, she is eating more food in one sitting than she used to. Whenever the bowl is empty I always fill it up because I am not going to wake up to meows.
Genevieve on May 16 2020 at 10:15AM
My cat has suddenly started hissing and growling at my husband. They were very close but all of a sudden my cat is terrorizing my husband to the point I have to come and help him go from room to room. Emma my cat will corner him and not let him go. It’s kind of scary. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Jeff on March 05 2020 at 03:15PM
And bad teeth too. My boy had to have 7 teeth removed.
Kallie on February 28 2020 at 10:09PM
My male cat has been a 4 am ( always between 4:13 am-4:46 am ) talker since I found him when he was around 6 weeks. He has varied between playful cat barking to aspiring opera meowing, but it always is the WORST for the 3 days around a full moon. Has anyone else noticed anything like that with their cat?
Anonymity on May 06 2019 at 07:46AM
I saw the comment on the orange cats article about the cat with a nasty neck wound, I don’t know what actually happened so please tell me everything
Wendy on April 30 2019 at 07:02AM
When my old cat went deaf, she walked around the house yowling for a couple of weeks. We didn’t know it at the time, but she was trying to hear herself. The deafness became apparent when she no longer ran away from the previously dreaded vacuum cleaner.
Sandra on April 27 2019 at 10:50AM
A shot? For overactive thyroid??? Did not know there was such a thing….. Maybe meds, but not in a shot form!
Lori Meyenburg on April 23 2019 at 06:19PM
This is great info my cat Tisha is a real talker over the last few weeks she has started talking in the middle of the night she has had a problem with her overactive thyroid I checked and sure enough her gland is swollen thanks guys I made an appointment to get her a shot you guys are wonderful!
Christine on April 23 2019 at 04:18PM
That was very helpful thanks so much