If your cat is meowing constantly, it can quickly become annoying. But is ignoring them the right approach? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide insight into why cats meow, when it’s normal vs excessive, and most importantly – what to do about it.
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: ignoring excessive or distressed meowing can be detrimental to your cat’s health and wellbeing. It’s important to determine the underlying cause and address it appropriately.
Understanding Why Cats Meow
Means of Communication
Cats meow for a variety of reasons as a means of communicating with humans and other cats. Meowing is one of the main ways cats communicate their needs, wants, and emotions. Here are some of the key reasons cats meow as a form of communication:
- Getting attention – Cats often meow to get their owner’s attention, such as when they want food, treats or to play.
- Greeting – Cats meow as a friendly greeting to their owners or other cats. This is usually a pleasant meow to say “hello”.
- Announcing presence – Cats will meow to make their presence known, such as when they enter a room or jump up on a counter.
- Bonding – Cats meow more frequently to their owners as a way of bonding and socializing. It’s a sign of affection.
- Distress – An urgent or prolonged meow can indicate a cat is in distress, pain, frightened or alone.
Meowing is a versatile vocalization that enables cats to effectively communicate their needs and feelings. As cat owners learn to understand the subtleties of meows, they can better address their cat’s needs and strengthen their bond.
Indicating Needs
In addition to communication, meowing is a primary way for cats to indicate their needs and wants to their human caretakers. Here are some of the key reasons cats meow to express needs:
- Food – Hungry cats will meow persistently to let you know it’s mealtime.
- Treats – Cats quickly learn that meowing gets treats so they’ll meow to ask for their favorite snacks.
- Playtime – An energetic meow can signal a cat wants to play or needs more stimulation and activity.
- Petting – Cats meow for attention and physical affection. Petting and cuddling is calming.
- Exploring – Meows at windows or doors can indicate a cat wants to go outside and explore.
- Vet – Cats meow more on vet visits since they’re stressed. It’s a plea for comfort.
Understanding these needs-based meows enables owners to provide better care for their cats. With patience, owners can identify the unique meanings behind their own cat’s vocalizations.
Breed Tendencies
While all cats are capable of meowing, some cat breeds are more vocal than others. Here are a few cat breeds that have a reputation for being more frequent and insistent meowers:
- Siamese – Siamese cats are extremely vocal and have loud, raspy meows.
- Bengal – Energetic Bengals meow frequently and demand a lot of interaction.
- Burmese – Burmese cats have a distinctive mellow, soft meow that they use often.
- Tonkinese – Playful Tonkinese love to meow and “chat” with their owners.
- Ragdoll – These affectionate cats meow persistently for attention and cuddling.
- Sphynx – Sphynx cats are highly social and meow a lot to communicate.
However, mixed breed domestic cats can be quite chatty as well. The tendency to meow frequently also depends on the individual personality and habits of the cat.
Distinguishing Between Normal and Excessive Meowing
Kitten Meowing
It’s perfectly normal for kittens to meow frequently. They meow to get their mother’s attention and communicate their needs. As kittens grow older and become more independent, the frequent meowing usually subsides.
Excessive meowing in kittens could indicate sickness, pain, or separation anxiety if removed from their mother too early.
Boredom and Attention Seeking
Many cats meow for attention or when bored. An indoor cat that spends most of its time alone may meow excessively for interaction. Try scheduling regular play sessions, changing up toys to keep their interest, or getting a second feline companion to address attention-seeking meows.
Cats also may vocally act out when their environment stays the same. Mix up your cat’s routine and make sure it has places to perch up high, hide, and watch the world outside to help satisfy its curious nature.
Anxiety or Distress
Stressful events like moving, changes in household routines, construction noises, or introducing new pets often trigger extensive meowing. Cats feel more secure with consistency. Make any changes slowly and give your cat extra affection during hectic times.
Pain or illness can also cause cats to meow persistently. Schedule a vet visit for your cat if the excessive vocalization starts suddenly, to rule out underlying medical causes.
Additionally, older cats may meow more due to cognitive decline or dementia. Be patient with senior cats and stick to regular schedules to ease their anxiety. Some cats also develop obsessive behaviors like excessive vocalization due to stress or boredom.
In many cases, ignoring excessive meowing won’t solve the problem. Determine the underlying motivation behind the behavior, then address the cat’s needs appropriately.
Normal Meowing | Excessive Meowing |
---|---|
– Occasional attention-seeking | – Non-stop vocalizing for hours |
– React to stimuli | – At random times unprompted |
– Kitten communication | – Indicates distress or anxiety |
Consult resources like ASPCA or speak to your veterinarian to help decipher your cat’s vocal communication signals.
Health Reasons for Excessive Meowing
Illness or Injury
Cats often meow excessively when they are sick or injured. Common illnesses that can cause vocalization include urinary tract infections, hyperthyroidism, cognitive dysfunction syndrome, arthritis, dental disease, and gastrointestinal issues. Cats may meow persistently due to pain or discomfort.
Some studies estimate that up to 20% of senior cats suffer from chronic pain due to arthritis or previous injuries. If your cat suddenly starts meowing more, it’s important to take them to the vet for a checkup to rule out illness as the cause.
Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome
Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is a common age-related condition in cats that is similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans. CDS affects over 55% percent of cats aged 11-15 years and more than 80% of cats aged 16-20 years.
Common symptoms include increased vocalization like excessive meowing, disorientation, house soiling, and changes in social interactions. The exact causes of CDS are unknown but likely involve physical changes in the brain and reduced neurotransmitter levels.
Treatment options include nutritional supplements, anti-depressants or sedatives, cognitive therapy using toys and play, and setting up a predictable daily routine. Managing CDS can improve your senior cat’s quality of life and reduce annoying meowing.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is another disorder common in older cats that can cause increased meowing and other behavioral changes. In this condition, the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, increasing your cat’s metabolism. Hyperthyroidism affects over 10% of cats over the age of 10.
Common symptoms include weight loss despite increased appetite, increased vocalization, hyperactivity, increased thirst and urination accidents outside the litter box. There are several treatment options for feline hyperthyroidism, including radioactive iodine therapy, anti-thyroid medications, prescription diet, and surgery.
With treatment, most cats show an improvement in vocalizing and other symptoms. So if your older cat suddenly starts meowing excessively, have your vet test for hyperthyroidism.
What To Do About Excessive Meowing
Veterinary Exam
If your cat is meowing excessively, the first step should be taking them to the vet for a thorough checkup. There could be an underlying medical issue causing the vocalizations like dental disease, arthritis, hyperthyroidism, cognitive dysfunction syndrome, or something else. Better safe than sorry!
The vet will do a physical exam, ask about your cat’s behavior, and potentially run bloodwork or other diagnostic tests if an illness is suspected. Don’t fret about the bill – solving the mystery of the meows will be worth it.
Environmental Enrichment
Cats meow to communicate their needs and desires to their humans. Excessive meowing can arise from boredom, stress, or frustration. Enriching your cat’s environment is key! Make sure kitty has plenty of toys to bat around, like feather wands, balls, treat puzzles, and cardboard scratchers.
Set up cat trees and perches near windows so they can observe the stimulating outdoors. Consider adopting a feline buddy from a shelter so your cat has a playmate. Rotate toys to keep things novel and exciting. The mental and physical stimulation will curb those meow marathons!
Behavior Modification
You can shape your talkative tabby’s behavior through positive reinforcement training. Completely ignore excessive meows, then reward your cat with treats and praise when they are quiet. This connects being silent with rewards in their mind.
Also identify triggers for the vocalizations, like feeding time or your arrival home. Give your cat affection and playtime before these events so they don’t associate meowing with receiving your attention. With consistency, you can modify kitty’s constant meowing. It may take time and patience though!
Medication If Necessary
In 10-15% of cats with excessive vocalization, the underlying cause cannot be found or behavior modification does not work. As a last resort, your vet may prescribe anti-anxiety medication in these cases.
Drugs like Prozac, buspirone, or benzodiazepines can reduce anxiety and curb excessive meowing when other options fail. Medicating cats can be challenging though – finding the right drug and dosage for your cat’s needs may take some trial and error. Also, medication comes with side effects.
Still, for some cats anti-anxiety meds are the only way to quiet the meows. But always try other methods first before going the pharmaceutical route.
Conclusion
In conclusion, meowing is your cat’s way of communicating needs and issues. While some meowing is normal, excessive or distressed vocalizations should not be ignored.
Determining the underlying motivation and addressing it appropriately is key to both your cat’s wellbeing and your sanity. With patience, care, and potentially medical treatment, an excessively meowing cat can become peaceful and content once more.