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Is Your Cat Constantly Meowing? Find the Cause with This Checklist
08.04.2024 06:10
Some cats meow constantly - this is a problem that many cat owners face.
Like people, cats can have a low or high need for companionship.
Some four-legged friends are real chatterboxes. It seems that there is nothing better for them than to talk to their owner.
Other domestic cats, on the other hand, rarely make sounds. These differences may initially depend on the character, temperament, and breed of the cat.
A chatty cat is often not a problem. However, constant meowing can call into question the relationship between owner and cat. It can also be a warning sign of a medical condition or behavioral disorder.
Why do cats meow at all?
While kittens are still quite talkative, adult cats quickly lose this behavior. Cats mostly use body language when communicating with each other and rarely make sounds.
Cats learn early on that humans respond positively to their meowing. This is how they get attention, favorite food, or affection.
There are a number of reasons why a cat may meow frequently.
Unsterilized cats meow frequently and a lot
Frequent and intense meowing in cats can be related to hormones. In unneutered cats, this is often observed during the heat period or when male cats want to attract a female.
In addition to increased meowing, you can often tell that your cat is in heat by other behavioral changes.
Typical behavior at this stage is restlessness, the tail is straightened and slightly curved to one side. The cat may roll on the floor.
A cat can smell the smell of heat from a great distance, then he becomes restless and tries to get to it.
If this is not possible, then continuous and loud meowing and scratching at the door often occurs. In these cases, castration or sterilization can help. In this case, sexual desire ceases.
Diseases
A cat's meowing may be due to a serious illness. Meowing caused by illness often begins suddenly or occurs in certain situations, such as when touched. However, this process can also be gradual.
For example, pain or another painful process may increase over time, which also increases the need for communication over time.
Some cats communicate pain, itching, injury, or sensitivity to touch to their owners through sounds.
If your cat meows for no reason, you should take a closer look at it. If necessary, you should contact a veterinarian. The doctor will be able to identify internal diseases, tumors or hormonal disorders.
Another reason may be a decrease in the ability to perceive. This can happen when blindness or deafness occurs. Pure white cats and older cats often suffer from this.
They compensate for the lack of perception by making more sounds to better navigate. At the same time, in such a situation, they seek contact with a person.
However, increased talkativeness in older cats may also indicate dementia. In this situation, a veterinarian can help.
The cat is bored
Especially when it comes to indoor cats. They may get bored and want to attract attention by meowing even louder. A cat that demands your attention often wants to be occupied with something, to be petted.
What are the remedies for boredom?
Exciting environment. You can arrange your apartment so that the cat is not bored. For example, add shelves on the walls or scratching posts. Many cats also like to hide in cardboard boxes.
Toys: Crinkle tunnels, ball-play rails, or toys that require your cat to forage for food are just a few examples of what you can find in stores to keep your cat busy.
Scheduled playtime. People don't always have a lot of time to spend with their pet. In these cases, it can be helpful to set aside a specific time each day when you can spend intensive time with your pet.
With a classic fishing rod or a laser pointer (just don't shine it in the eyes!) you can keep your cat busy for a long time and give it the attention it needs. By the way, it's best to play with your cat at dusk - this is the best time for hunting in the wild, so domestic cats are instinctively very active at this time of day.
Second cat. Bring a companion into the house to play and socialize with. Socializing cats can be difficult. If your cat is bored, access to the outdoors can also help add variety to your cat's life. As an alternative to going outside, consider giving your cat an outdoor space, such as a balcony or garden. Make sure it's not too difficult to escape!
The cat demands food
Excessive meowing may also be due to the cat's demand for food. In the past, many cats responded positively to being given food when they vocalized.
If this food call is limited to a few times a day, it usually does not cause problems. However, if the cat constantly asks for food and is not shy about resting at night, it can become a problem.
Especially if the animal disturbs not only your night's rest, but also the rest of your neighbors. Of course, a cat should be fed when it is hungry. However, if the cat constantly demands food, something needs to be done about it. For example, a fixed feeding time can help.
If a cat always gets food at the same time of day, it will not demand it at other times. The main thing is consistency: food is given only at the set time.
Outside of feeding time, any meowing or begging should be strictly ignored. Only then will the cat forget the connection between meowing and receiving food.
This will be tough and may take several weeks to break this unwanted behavior. It is better to have 4-5 small meals than 2-3 large ones.
Cats love to show their stubbornness
If a cat is trained to meow when it wants something, it is sometimes not so easy to make it stop. Some cats can stand in front of a closed bedroom door for hours and almost go crazy until the door is finally opened for them. Once the cat gets what it wants, it becomes sweet and calm again.
If you are familiar with such behavior of your pet, then you should remain consistent and persistent. After all, only when the cat understands that its behavior is useless, it will eventually let it go. To do this, you need to remain persistent and incorruptible.
Perhaps the cat is asking to go outside
Cats that don't have access to the outdoors tend to meow more. On the one hand, this may be because indoor cats are usually less active and prone to boredom.
On the other hand, family ties are often much more intense, which makes them perceive people more as playmates. With their voice, they skillfully put themselves in the spotlight.
We previously explained why cats sleep at people's feet.
