7 Reasons Why Your Cat Is Meowing So Much

Why does my cat meow so much? Excessive meowing could be due to seeking attention, letting you know they’re hungry, or even that they may have a health problem.

In this article, we’ll explore 7 reasons cats meow so much to help you discover why your cat might be talking more than usual.

1. Seeking Attention

Attention-seeking is the most common reason for a cat’s excessive meowing. Begging is one of the most prevalent attention-seeking behaviors cat parents call for help on, so you’re in good company.

To prevent attention-seeking meowing, try to incorporate playtime at varying times throughout the day. This way, your cat cannot learn that certain times mean playtime and thus will not meow at you in hopes of tempting you to play. Providing your kitty love via petting, cuddling, and spending lots of one-on-one time together will help meet their socialization requirements.

Unlike dogs, with whom we’ve evolved alongside, cats communicate less with their eyes and more with their whole body. They are very dependent on vocalizations, specifically meowing, to communicate.

Here are some cat toys and activities that can keep your cat entertained, reducing attention-seeking meowing:

• Puzzle toys filled with treats
• Interactive laser pointers
• Scratching posts to satisfy their scratching instincts
• Catnip-filled toys
• Window perches for bird-watching

Positive reinforcement is the most effective approach when it comes to modifying unwanted behaviors. Don’t take a punitive approach, but cheerfully reward your cat for occasionally being quiet.

2. Hunger or Thirst

Another one of the main reasons cats meow is that they’re hungry or in search of food or water.

You may notice your cat becomes much more vocal at the hours they’re typically fed. By sticking to a regular feeding routine, your cat can know when to expect food. This cuts down on their tendency to yell at you when they want to be fed.

To ease the challenges of a feeding routine — particularly if you aren’t always home at specific times to feed your cat — an automatic feeder may help. This is useful if your cat is waking you up at the crack of dawn and demanding breakfast.

Instead of bugging you, she’ll hover next to the feeder, jaws clenched, infectious excitement, and anticipation of the next meal. You can program it to deliver measured meals at the same time every day – even when you’re away. That way, you can rest assured that your cat’s needs are taken care of.

3. Communication with Owners

Cats meow to communicate what they need, what they desire, or when they’re under the weather. It’s really a question of reading the room. Observe the context during which and where your cat is vocalizing.

Is it near the food bowl? They could just be really hungry. When cats want food, they notoriously use meows to communicate their wishes. Or is it on your way out the door? They might just be suffering from separation anxiety.

Of course, an extreme propensity for meowing can also be a breed characteristic. Some breeds are simply more chatty, like Siamese and Oriental Shorthair cats! Learning to read your cat’s signals takes time, patience, and close observation.

Meows are only one of the ways they can communicate with us—you just need to learn how to speak their language.

4. Environmental Changes

Environmental changes may lead to an increase in meowing from your cat. This includes the addition of a new pet or human, a lot of visitors, loud noises, boredom, and more. So, if your cat is suddenly talking more than usual, consider if anything has changed in their living environment.

To create a calm atmosphere, work on creating a more feline-friendly space. Cats flourish in spaces that prioritize their enrichment, hunting, and exploring instincts. Providing vertical space for climbing and observation can help your cat feel secure, like with cat trees, for example.

Loud noises, like nearby construction or a lot of foot traffic from consistent visitors, can cause stress and elevated sound.

Even furniture layout changes can suddenly leave your cat feeling exposed and vulnerable. By identifying these stressors, you’re one step closer to reducing their negative effects.

Here are some ways to make your home more cat-friendly:

• Provide vertical space with cat trees and shelves.
• Provide a variety of shelter areas like cardboard boxes or covered cat beds.
• Make sure you have enough litter boxes, at least one per cat, plus one.
• Place scratching posts in prominent locations.
• Create window perches for bird-watching and sunbathing.

5. Stress or Anxiety

Cats are famous for excessive meowing when they feel stressed or anxious. Determining what is making your cat anxious is key to stopping the caterwauling.

If you’re moving to a new house or adding another pet, it can be stressful for your cat. This anxiety typically leads to excessive meowing. Many cats develop anxiety about your absence, manifesting as excessive meowing and other destructive behaviors.

Keep in mind that cats with Feline Cognitive Dysfunction (FCD) and feline Alzheimer’s can have cognitive decline with deterioration of their eyesight and hearing. This can lead them to become more vocal due to being stressed or anxious.

Some medical problems, like pain or other ailments, can lead to yowling. Even slight changes to their routine — like introducing a new food or changing their environment — can cause anxiety. This stress leads to major behavioral problems, such as excessive vocalization.

The first step in making sure your feline friend isn’t feeling frazzled is figuring out what’s causing the stress.

Have you shifted something in their routine? You can use pheromone diffusers or sprays to help reduce stress in their environment. These products replicate natural cat pheromones, ones that calm a cat’s anxiety and anxiety-induced meowing.

Here are some common signs of stress and anxiety in cats:

• Hiding more than usual
• Excessive grooming
• Changes in appetite (eating more or less)
• Becoming more withdrawn or aggressive
• Pacing or restlessness

6. Illness

Illness may be a cause of your cat’s excessive meowing. Make sure to keep up with your pet’s health checkups with your veterinarian to eliminate any possible underlying medical issues.

Secondary health issues like kidney disease, urinary tract infections, or cognitive dysfunction can make them vocalize more. If your senior kitty is yowling during the night, hyperthyroidism might be the culprit. Cats over the age of seven years may be more prone to issues resulting in nighttime yowling.

Unspayed female cats will cycle into heat every two to three weeks during the breeding season. Your male cat might meow at a female in heat, or an unspayed female may cry non-stop, looking for a mate. While being in heat is not an illness, too many heat cycles can cause a dangerous infection of the uterus called pyometra.

If cats are confused or disoriented, they may wail at night, which can indicate a degenerative health problem.

Here’s a quick guide to help you understand potential medical causes:

It’s never a bad decision to get your kitty checked out if they’re meowing more than usual. Your vet can help you figure out what’s going on and how to make things better for your feline friend.

7. Pain

Pain is another cause of excessive meowing in cats. It can be difficult to know if a cat is in pain since it’s in their nature to hide it. Your veterinarian can tell you if pain is the reason and advise you on what to do.

Look for these other signs of pain in your cat if you believe that might be the cause of the meowing:

• Lethargy
• Hiding
• Aggression
• Not grooming
• Lack of appetite
• Changes in posture

Conclusion

Cats meow for a variety of reasons, from greeting you to requesting a meal. Look at what times of day and situations your cat is meowing in. This keeps you one step ahead and allows you to predict what they’re going to ask for next.

Other times, excessive meowing indicates it’s time to see the vet. If your cat starts to meow a lot more, or in a new way, consult your veterinarian. This means your cat has raised the alarm.

By decoding your cat’s incessant meows, you’re on your way to a more intimate bond. You discover their needs, provide the best care possible, and make them the happiest little creatures on earth.

Frequently Asked Questions