Cat meowing can have multiple meanings. Working out what your cat is trying to communicate can be tricky, but you shouldn’t ignore your cat’s noises, no matter how noisy. It may be something as simple as an empty water bowl, but it could also be something more serious like pain caused by a health problem.

While we can't teach you how to speak cat, getting to know the sounds your cat makes will help you to work out why your cat or kitten is meowing, assisting you in spotting when something’s wrong.

Why Does My Cat Meow So Much?

Cats communicate through a wide range of sounds and body language. The most common reasons for domestic cats meowing a lot are:

• Access: excessive meowing while pacing or sitting in front of a door or window often means that your cat wants to gain access to somewhere. This could be to an outdoor space, to another room, or to their litter box. A cat will often make chittering or chattering sounds if they’ve seen a bird through the window.
• Age: older cats can suffer from cognitive dysfunction syndrome which leaves them feeling confused. This is similar to Alzheimer's in humans. They’ll vocalise this confusion through meows, yowls, and howls. While kittens meow to their mothers when they’re cold or hungry, adult cats rarely meow at other cats but will instead meow at their owners to fulfil their needs.
• Attention: if your cat starts to meow and comes over to you, they may just want some attention. If they’re trying to lead your somewhere else, they may be trying to tell you they want something. But, if they rub their body or face against you, or jump on your lap while meowing, it most likely means that they're looking for play, petting or to get you to talk to them.
• Food: if your cat is constantly meowing near mealtimes, or trying to lead you to the food cupboard, it’s their way of asking you! However, their only way to communicate this is to meow for food.
• Greeting: cat meowing sounds are often used to greet people. So, if you’ve returned home, or some friends have come to visit your house, and your cat starts meowing at humans, they’re probably just saying hello. Other cat noises are used to communicate with their feline friends.
• Mating: male cats yowling to females shows an interest in mating, and females will yowl back if they’re receptive.
• Pain: cat meowing can be a sign of pain from an underlying health condition, like kidney disease. Increased meowing at night is a common symptom of cats with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

It may not be immediately obvious what your cat wants, but you’ll know you’ve got it right when your cat stops meowing. Some cat breeds are chattier than others, like the Burmese and Siamese. The more vocal breeds are often the more attention seeking ones, who require a bit more one-to-one time.

Can I Stop My Cat From Being So Vocal?

This depends on why your cat is meowing so much. Always make sure your cat’s needs are met – food, water, toileting, attention, and exercise. This will reduce the chance of excessive meowing.

If your cat won't stop meowing for attention, try waiting until they’re quiet before giving it to them. If you always give them attention when they meow at you, they’ll learn that meowing gets them what they want.

Stick to a consistent routine so your cat knows what to expect, particularly when it comes to mealtimes. You could try an automatic feeder that’s scheduled to open at set times. That way your cat is more likely to meow at its feeder rather than waking you up early in the morning demanding breakfast - no one wants a cat crying into their ears at 5am!

If your cat meows to be let in or out, you could install a cat flap. If you have an indoor cat that meows at the door or windows, you could get an outdoor cat enclosure that allows them time outside in a safe space.

An unneutered female cat in heat may meow excessively and become increasingly affectionate. This can last 4-10 days. Having your cat spayed is the only way to stop this from happening every time she’s in heat.

If your cat is meowing due to loneliness, consider getting a pet sitter, family member or friend to call in and spend time with your cat partway through the day. Provide toys and think of ways to enrich your cat’s environment to help prevent boredom when you’re away.

There’s no treatment for a cat with cognitive dysfunction syndrome, but there are things you can do to help manage the condition and reduce symptoms. You may need to make changes to your cat's environment and diet, and there are some drug therapies available. Your vet will be able to discuss these options with you.

Don’t scold or hit your cat for meowing! It won’t stop your cat from meowing long-term, but it will damage your bond and cause your cat to become fearful of you.

Is My Cat Meowing or Crying?

Distressed cat meowing sounds are more of a yowl or howl. And some noises can sound like screaming. These cat sounds are often signs of distress from being in pain, stuck somewhere, from disorientation (cognitive dysfunction syndrome), or when your cat feels threatened.

To help you determine if your cat's crying for help or meowing from happiness and excitement, look to their body language and facial expressions for signs of distress or discomfort. Do they have flat ears, wide eyes, and is their tail curled under their body? If yes, try to determine the cause of their distress – have they been spooked by a loud noise, or have you recently made any changes to their routine or environment?

Contact your vet if you suspect your cat is in pain or you’re unable to resolve their distress.

Should I Take My Cat to See My Vet?

If your cat keeps meowing after all their needs have been met, or is meowing more than normal, get them checked over by your vet. Cats use vocalisation and body language to tell you how they’re feeling. Keep an eye out for signs of pain such as hiding, reduced appetite, toileting outside the litter box, loss of interest in playing, or reluctance to be touched. Your vet will be able to run some tests to determine the cause of your cat’s meowing.

Cat meow sounds are used to communicate a message. This can be a command for play, petting, food, or access, but it can also be a sign of pain or disorientation from a health condition. Some cat breeds are chattier than others and age also plays a role.

There are some things you can do to reduce your cat’s meowing, but it depends on the cause. Speak to your vet if your cat is meowing continuously and/or you notice changes in their behaviour or body language.

Everypaw Cat Insurance

Everypaw's Cat Insurance comes with 24/7 unlimited access to vets and vet nurses that can help with your pet's health, care, nutrition and behaviour. So you can rest assured your kitty will be well looked after.

Get a quote

 

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis - www.vetlexicon.com/felis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.