Why Do Cats Meow?
From purrs to trills to yowling and everything in-between, some cats can be extremely vocal creatures, but why are they doing it? Are they just being noisy? Are they trying to say something? What can I do if my cat is meowing all the dang time?!
Why Cats Meow
Cats meow for all sorts of reasons! They may be trying to tell you that something is bothering them, they could be hungry or bored, or they might just be saying hello!
Fun fact: cats who have not been raised around humans rarely meow! Kittens and mother cats will call to one another, but once they’re out on their own, feral cats are silent most of the time
Underlying Health Issues
Cats are experts at hiding pain and discomfort, but even they have their limits! If your cat has suddenly started meowing or yowling and pacing around or following you more than usual, they may be trying to tell you that something is wrong. Your first step should be to schedule a vet checkup to make sure they are healthy. If your vet gives your cutie a clean bill of health, then it’s time to look at other causes!
If you are a new pet owner and concerned about vet costs, then I highly recommend you consider getting health insurance coverage for your sweetheart. Most insurance companies have plans that cover up to 90% of your costs, though most do not pay for pre-existing conditions, so it’s important to get them covered as early in life as possible.
There are many factors to consider when finding the right health insurance for your cat, so if you’d like some help finding the right insurance company for you and your sweetheart, Money.com has put together a comprehensive article to help you in your search. Check it out at https://money.com/best-pet-insurance/
Changes in the Environment
If you recently moved, adopted a new pet, lost your job, or any other changes have occurred in your life or environment, this is likely to cause some anxiety in your cat which can lead to excessive meowing. Some cats are extremely sensitive to change and merely rearranging your furniture can make them feel off
Boredom or Loneliness
A lot of folks think of cats as solitary creatures, but that’s just not true for most of them! Though they do tend to hunt solo, cats are actually very social creatures and typically live in colonies.
If your cutie seems lonely, consider fostering or adopting another cat that is similar in age and temperament! Two cats are almost always better than one, and since they will keep each other busy much of the time, they won’t bug you as often.
Another way to help your cat stay busy is to play with them regularly, at least once or twice a day! Really wear them out, a tired cat is a quiet cat. This is where having another cat helps tremendously, since they can play together instead of bugging you all the time!
Hunger
Cats often meow when they want a snack or if they are worried about their food running low. For this reason, it’s best to keep your cats on a consistent feeding schedule. Once you have that schedule set, do not cave to their demands! For lots more detail and instructions on how to deal with food-based meowing, head over to my article on how to keep your cats asleep at night.
How to Stop Excessive Meowing
Regardless of why your cat is meowing, if you want them to stop, do not react. Walk away from them and wait until they have ceased meowing before you give them any more attention. Every time you react, your cat remembers it and it will only make them meow more! After your cat has been quiet for a few minutes, you can reward them with a treat and some pets to show your appreciation.
What if my Cat STILL Won’t Stop Meowing?
If you have tried everything to get your cat to be less vocal, consider scheduling a consultation with me so we can get to the root causes and figure out how to help your cutie calm down!
