Cats have been inspiring us for eons. Why is the purr so enchanting? How do they know that silly move works to clean their ears? And, for some of us, why does my cat meow so much? Read on to find out more about that last one.
Contents
- Why Do Cats Meow?
- Reasons Your Cat May Be Meowing So Much
- How Much is Too Much Meowing?
- Why Is My Cat Meowing at Night?
- What Can I Do?
- Excessive Meowing in Cats
Why Do Cats Meow?
As babies, kittens meow at their mothers to get her attention. When kittens grow, you’ll find they don’t meow at other cats anymore. Instead, cats communicate with other types of chirps and vocalizations, body language, and chemical messages.
Cats typically reserve meowing for communicating with us humans!
Reasons Your Cat May Be Meowing So Much
General reasons why cats may meow include:
- As a greeting
- To ask for food or water
- To ask for attention
- To ask you to open a door
- Illness
If your cat is meowing a lot, it could be that she’s just very friendly. It could be that she needs you to do something. Or, she could be communicating that something is wrong and she needs help.
Specific examples of why your cat might be meowing so much include:
- She likes you want wants to tell you about her day
- There are new people or animals present in the house
- It’s hot, and she’s thirsty
- There is a new cat in the neighborhood that he can see or smell
- The birds outside are teasing him
- He’s bored
- Your cat has a tummy ache
- Your cat doesn’t like your girlfriend’s new perfume
- You have recently moved and the new house is annoying your cat
- The litter box is too dirty
- The litter box is too loud
- Your cat knows where you keep the cat treats and would like one
Many of these reasons relate to feline stress or anxiety. Some of them relate to boredom or loneliness, in which case some new toys and lots of attention or a nice walk might help your kitty feel more loved. Some of these reasons relate to immediate physical needs or wants. Some reasons require contacting your vet.
How Much is Too Much Meowing?
Cats are very social creatures with varied personalities. One cat’s typical level of meowing may be excessive for another cat.
Vocalization habits can also vary by breed. Some breeds are naturally very vocal. Others are naturally quiet. For example, Siamese cats are known to be extremely chatty. Persian cats, on the other hand, tend to be on the quiet side. If you have an adopted cat from a shelter, you could use a genetic testing service to find out your cat’s background. Or, you could assess if your cat’s meowing has increased recently compared to their normal behavior.
You’ll want to note sudden changes in your cat’s behavior. If your cat has always been talkative, that might just be who she is. If her meowing increases suddenly, or slowly increases to the point where it is causing either of you distress, this may indicate a problem.
When Should I Worry About My Cat Meowing Too Much?
Some cats do grow more vocal over time. However, this usually happens slowly, as they settle in to their environment. Other cats are vocal from birth. Sudden changes are your best indicator of a cause for concern.
If your quiet cat starts meowing excessively, you’ll want to investigate why. It’s best to look into any behavior with a sudden onset, like excessive sleeping or aggression.
Why Is My Cat Meowing at Night?
There are a lot of reasons cats meow at night. Excessive night meowing can be a symptom of kidney disease, an overactive thyroid, or even cognitive decline in older cats. If you don’t find another cause for excessive sudden onset night meowing, be sure to consult with your veterinarian to rule out underlying medical conditions.
Your cat might meow at night for the same reasons they meow during the day. When a cat wants attention or has an unmet need, like an empty water bowl, she will not hesitate to let you know.
Your cat may meow at night if he is stressed or lonely. is stressed or lonely. Sudden changes in environment can lead to stress in cats because they are creatures of habit. Consider if there have been any changes in the household such as the addition or subtraction of household members, furniture added or moved, or a significant change in schedule.
Cats get lonely, too. If you only have one cat, your cat may not get enough enrichment during the day. They may still have a lot of energy by the time night comes. Consider adding another cat to your household, if you think your cat will adjust well to a feline companion. Or, be sure to give your cat plenty of attention and active play each day to help him feel worn out and fulfilled.
What Can I Do?
Don’t ignore your cat’s excessive meowing. Try to identify the issue. Look at the reasons listed above and observe your cat’s daily routine, litter box, food and water bowl positioning, eating and drinking habits, playtime, and general environment.
If you don’t find anything you can fix, it may be time to consult your vet for a check-up. It’s better to get ahead of health issues with your can so you can solve them before they escalate.
Excessive Meowing in Cats
So why is my cat meowing so much? Cats meow to communicate with us, so when they meow a lot, they typically just want something from us or have an unmet need. Usually, it is a simple fix but always look out for meowing without reason and take them for regular checkups to ensure your cat is in good health.
