I don’t know about you, but my cat is a chatterbox! Sometimes I think he just likes to hear the sound of his voice. But he sure is a cutie, so I don’t complain (much).
Sometimes it gets to a point where I have to wonder, though: “Why is my cat meowing a lot?” So, as usual, I opened up my laptop and got to researching! Here are some reasons why your cat may be meowing up a storm.
1. Your baby is hungry!
Get
Your
In my experience, my cat usually meows a lot when he’s hungry. I swear he’s always hungry, though! He’ll also meow when he hears the can opener because he has now associated that sound with the gracious gift of a bowl of tuna juice.
This meow is usually loud and rather annoying – slightly high-pitched, but still quite bellow-y. If you hear your cat making this sound and pacing around the feeding area, it can pretty much belittle kitty cat is in need of some food!
Always make sure you’re feeding your cat appropriately. Both the amount and frequency depend on how old your cat is (and also if he/she suffers from any illnesses that might affect feeding).
For example, a kitten should be fed three times a day to support its growth in order Between the ages of six months and maturity, your cat could be fed twice a day. After your baby hits adulthood, one to two times a day is appropriate!
2. Kitty just wants attention
Cats are typically thought of to be rather solitary creatures, but, contrary to popular belief, they don’t want to be alone all that much! In fact, if you don’t pay enough attention to your kitty, he/she could develop something called “negative attention syndrome” and purposefully act out to get you to notice them.
The best way to fix this is simply to show your baby some love. I like to call your cat your baby because having any pet is quite like having a child. You need to care for him/her and show love. Spend some quality time with your furbaby and if you see signs your cat is happy, then he/she might stop meowing for your attention so much!
3. Maybe your cat is… stressed
Something that surprised me a lot when I learned it is that a reason for your cat’s constant meowing could be because he/she is just feeling stressed! It makes sense, though, just like how humans might cry or vent when we feel stressed.
The stress could come from anything. A recent move, a new addition to the household (human or animal), a change in scenery within the house, et cetera could affect your cat’s stress levels.
If you find your cat has been meowing a lot more than usual, pay attention and think about any changes that may have been made recently. Depending on your cat, the smallest thing could set stress levels off (just like with humans!). Acknowledging the cause will help you in adjusting your cat to the new change.
4. Your cat could be sick!
There are many illnesses that could be affecting your poor kitty, making him/her excessively vocal. Your cat could be feeling extreme pain, hunger, thirst, or even trouble using the automatic litter box – all of which could be causing the extra noise.
If you notice your cat meowing a lot suddenly and can’t find any other reason to explain it, a trip to the vet might be necessary. There are even plenty of mobile veterinary services that would be able to visit you at your home and make the check-up convenient!
5. Your cat could be in the “need to breed”
Cats that aren’t spayed or neutered are going to hit a certain time where they’ll be looking for another little kitty to mate with. When a female cat is in heat, they’ll be meowing up a storm, looking for a male to claim. And on the other end of the spectrum, a male cat will go crazy meowing if they smell a female cat in heat.
A simple way to avoid this headache is just to get your cat neutered or spayed! This procedure can also help assist in controlling the overwhelming cat population that many shelters are having to adjust to. The procedure can also help your cat live a longer and healthier life!
6. Your cat could just be getting old
As cats get old, so do cats get bored much like with humans, their immune systems begin to weaken. A lot of elderly cats suffer from illnesses like chronic renal (kidney) disease, heart disease, feline diabetes, arthritis, hyperthyroidism, dental disease, or cancer.
Another common thing older cats suffer from is something called cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). Think of this as similar to Alzheimer’s or dementia in humans. CDS can cause severe disorientation, leading to constant and confused cries. This is especially true at night when your cat may constantly be awoken and cry out.
It is extremely important that you bring your elderly cat to a vet for a check-up at least two times a year, as these diseases become increasingly common with old age. In some cases, your cat may even be affected by more than one of them. Do your aging baby a favor and get him/her checked out to ease the pain these diseases may cause.
7. Kitty wants to play!
Going along the idea that cats crave a lot more attention than humans think they do, your cat’s constant meowing could just mean that he/she wants to play! This is especially the case if your cat’s meowing is happening at night while you’re trying to get some much-needed sleep.
Cats do sleep around 16 hours a day, and if you’re not careful with how you spend your time with him/her, your whole night of sleep could be spent with your kitty awake and wanting to play!
The easiest way to fix this problem is to wear your cat out during the day! An active cat is a tired cat, and if you use up all his/her energy during the day, they’ll be happy to spend their 16 hours of sleep during the night. You might even get lucky enough to cuddle with your cat while you sleep!
All in all, there are a lot of different things that could be behind why your cat is meowing so much. Some of them are fun and easy to cure, while others are a bit more serious and need a trip to the vet to get to the bottom of.
Did any of the reasons surprise you at all? Did you enjoy this list? I know I sure had a good time making it. I never really thought about all the things that could stress a cat out! My cat’s been meowing a lot lately, and it’s all starting to make a bit more sense now. Maybe I should bring him to some therapy sessions!
Let me know what you think about the things we learned together in the comments! I’m really looking forward to reading the things you have to say. And remember, if you liked this article or can think of somebody who might benefit from it, give it a share! Spread the kitty knowledge.
