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If any animal embodies the phrase “moving in silence like the G in lasagna,” it must be a cat. Unlike canines, felines are not perceived as overly vocal since being silent allows them to stalk their prey and pounce like ghosts.
That is why it is concerning when your cat won’t stop meowing—it is simply not in their nature. Therefore, when considering how to curb your cat’s excessive meowing, the first step should be establishing the reason for the meowing. Cats do not vocalize just for the sake of it. Once you have established the reasons for your kitty’s behavior, finding a practical solution (if possible) will be much easier.
In this article, we’ll discuss why your cat could be meowing excessively, as well as some solutions to consider.
Why Do Cats Meow?
Cats are excellent at using body language to communicate with one another. In fact, body language is the primary form of communication between felines. However, as kittens, cats use meowing to call to their mothers. This vocalization changes to chirping, yowling, growling, and hissing as they grow older to communicate with each other.
One thing is sure: adult cats, except queens and kittens, rarely use meowing to talk to one another. Research has found that adult cats usually do not meow at each other since meowing is a vocalization reserved for kittens and their mothers 1.
So, why do adult cats meow at humans? The reason is absurdly simple—they behave like kittens toward their owners. It makes sense since you are essentially the cat’s “mother,” providing food, shelter, and protection.
Cats have learned that humans react positively to meows as early as 10,000 years ago and have since been using this vocalization to get you to do things for them.
Nevertheless, meows can mean different things. You will notice that they have different tones. Therefore, by familiarizing yourself with the various meanings of a cat’s meows, you will be in a better position to curb the behavior as soon as it starts.
Anecdotally, there are some of the different types of meows cats make:
Angry or Scared Meows
These are the loudest of all meows, sometimes sounding like shrieks. Angry meows can be intense and frightening and usually occur when cats are about to fight.
Painful Meows
A cat in pain typically makes a mournful, low-pitched sound. Moreover, it tends to be persistent. Cats are remarkably good at hiding pain. As such, if you hear your cat making this kind of meow, they are probably experiencing an illness or injury. Take action immediately and take them to the vet. Please note that cats that are in excessive amounts of pain will in fact not meow or respond much to their environment.
Hungry Meows
You have been at the receiving end of hungry meows since your kitty came into your life, so you should know what they sound like. Hungry meows are typically high-pitched and feature an inflection, meaning they sound like a question.
It is a question since the kitty is asking you why their bowl is empty. Moreover, they get louder by the minute to remind you that they need to eat. Of course, hungry meows occur during the cat’s designated mealtimes or when they hear you in the kitchen.
Attention Seeking Meows
Sometimes, your cat meows because they want bonding time with you. Attention-seeking meows typically occur after you have spent significant periods away from each other.
Mating Calls
When in heat, a female cat will persistently meow in search of a mate, and intact males who can smell or hear her will often meow back in a similar fashion. This sort of meow is also known as a yowl, and is hormone-driven.
Top 4 Methods to Stop Meowing
Generally speaking, if your cat’s meowing behavior doesn’t bother you and is not in response to a health issue, there may not be a need to intervene; keep in mind that some cats are just more vocal than others.
We have established the most common reasons why cats meow. Therefore, finding a solution should not be difficult if you know why your cat is meowing at you.
1. Ignore Hungry Meows
As mentioned, you can always tell when your cat pesters you for food or treats. However, with feline obesity quietly becoming a pandemic, you must avoid overfeeding your cat. If your cat is well-fed, do not give in to their demands. Only feed your cat at the designated mealtimes.
2. Play With Your Cat Before Bedtime
For an animal that is thought to sleep all day, you would expect cats to empathize with your need for sleep. Nonetheless, empathy might as well be a foreign concept to cats, and they will ensure to get your attention when they need it.
To avoid having a yowling cat outside your bedroom door at night, make sure that you bond and play with them before you call it a day.
3. Ensure Your Cat Has a Clean Litter Box
Being the neat freaks they are, cats hate nothing more than a dirty litter box. Therefore, always make sure that their box is clean.
4. Take Your Cat to the Vet
As mentioned, you can tell when your cat is in pain when the meows are low-pitched, prolonged, and mournful-sounding. If your cat is making painful meows, take them to the vet immediately for an evaluation. The vet will also determine whether your cat is in heat, as unspayed females are tremendously vocal when they are in heat.
If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
Conclusion
It’s heartwarming when your cat meows at you affectionately. However, excessive meowing is annoying, especially when you are trying to work, sleep, or relax on the couch. The most critical step in curbing excessive meowing is establishing why your cat is doing it in the first place. Once you do, you will be in a better position to find an effective solution.
Featured Image Credit: Oscar Wiedemeijer, Shutterstock
My cat won’t stop yowling, sometimes it’s just a little meow, but it becomes strident and like screaming. I’ve had her one day so I don’t know if this is normal for her, if she’s sick or scared. She’s been hiding since I got her. She does eat and drink and use the litter box.
Hi Janet, cats need some time to adapt, and it sounds like she might be in distress. You are not sharing many details about her, but we think you might find this post useful: https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/how-long-does-cat-take-to-adjust-to-new-home/
https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/cat-yowling-sound-and-meaning/
Thanks for giving her a chance to have a home. If you need support or feel unsure about her health or behavior, you can book a one-on-one call with www.pangovet.com for help with any specific question you may have. They will be happy to support you through this journey.
my cat was born in Texas and sent to Dedham ARL. she will be 3 Oct 21. she got adopted and was brought back to Dedham ARL for excessive meowing. I adopted her Feb 8 of this year. I am 71 with lot health problems. I love cats. I love alone, no other animals. she jeeps me up all night, I'm exhausted. I refuse to bring her back to shelter..I play with her one on one 3xday. I watch cat TV with her 2x day. she lays beside and I pet her 3x day at least. ARL said she's a vocal cat. what do I do? should I get another cat?
Hi Donna, Thanks for your comment, some cats are more vocal than others, that said, medical reasons could be behind excessive night vocalizations, but it could also be stress-related. Bringing another cat in is not a solution as the outcome is unpredictable. We recommend you book a one-on-one remote consultation with a certified veterinarian at www.pangovet.com. They can go through the specifics of your cat's triggers and environment to narrow down possible causes and solutions. Best wishes to you.