The cat’s meow is her way of communicating with people. Cats
meow for many reasons—to say hello, to ask for things, and to tell us when
something’s wrong. Meowing is an interesting vocalization in that adult cats
don’t actually meow at each other, just at people. Kittens meow to let their
mother know they’re cold or hungry, but once they get a bit older, cats no
longer meow to other cats. But they continue to meow to people throughout their
lives, probably because meowing gets people to do what they want. Cats also
yowl—a sound similar to the meow but more drawn out and melodic. Unlike
meowing, adult cats do yowl at one another, specifically during breeding
season.
When does meowing become excessive? That’s a tough call to make,
as it’s really a personal issue. All cats are going to meow to some extent—this
is normal communication behavior. But some cats meow incessantly and drive
their pet parents crazy! Bear in mind that some breeds of cats, notably the
Siamese, are prone to excessive meowing and yowling.
Why Cats Meow
These are the most common reasons why cats meow:
·
To greet people. Your
cat can be expected to meow in greeting when you come home, when she meets up
with you in the house or yard, and when you speak to her.
·
To solicit attention.
Cats enjoy social contact with people, and some will be quite vocal in their
requests for attention. The cat may want to be stroked, played with or simply
talked to. Cats who are left alone for long periods of time each day may be
more likely to meow for attention.
·
To ask for food. Most
cats like to eat, and they can be quite demanding around mealtimes. Some cats
learn to meow whenever anyone enters the kitchen, just in case food might be
forthcoming. Others meow to wake you up to serve them breakfast. Cats also
learn to beg for human food by meowing.
·
To ask to be let in or
out. Meowing is the cat’s primary way to let you know what she wants. If she
wants to go outside, she’ll likely learn to meow at the door. Likewise, if
she’s outdoors and wants in, she’ll meow to get you to let her back inside. If
you’re trying to transition a cat from being indoor-outdoor to living
exclusively indoors, you may be in for a period of incessant meowing at doors
and windows. This is a difficult change for a cat to make, and it will very
likely take weeks or even months for the meowing to stop.
·
Elderly cats suffering
from mental confusion, or cognitive dysfunction, may meow if they become
disoriented—a frequent symptom of this feline version of Alzheimer’s Disease.
·
To find a mate.
Reproductively intact cats are more likely to yowl. Females yowl to advertise
their receptivity to males, and males yowl to gain access to females.
Take Your Cat to the Veterinarian
A cat who meows a lot should be checked thoroughly by a
veterinarian to ensure a medical condition is not the cause of the cat’s
distress. Numerous diseases can cause cats to feel unusually hungry, thirsty,
restless or irritable—any of which is likely to prompt meowing. Even if your
cat has a history of meowing for food, you should still have her checked by
your veterinarian. As cats age, they’re prone to developing an overactive
thyroid and kidney disease, and either one may result in excessive meowing.
Helping Your Cat Be Less Vocal
Before you try to curb your cat’s excessive vocalizing, you need
to determine its cause. Look at the circumstances around her meowing and make
note of what seems to get her to stop. It may help to keep a log book so you
can look for any patterns in when she becomes especially vocal . Once you
identify when she’s likely to meow excessively, try these suggestions to help
her control her vocalizations:
·
If your cat meows to
say hello, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to do much to change things—you
have an especially vocal cat who is telling you how glad she is to see you!
·
If your cat is meowing
for attention, teach her that you’ll only pay attention to her when she’s
quiet. Resist the urge to shout at her or give her any form of attention, even
angry attention. Instead, be patient and wait for a brief moment of silence.
Immediately give her the attention she craves. If she starts to meow again, walk
away, and only return to her when she’s quiet. If you’re consistent, she will
catch on.
·
If you believe your
cat cries out of loneliness because you spend too much time out of the house,
consider having a pet sitter come partway through the day to visit and play
with her.
·
If your cat meows at
you for food, stop feeding her when she cries! Feed her at prescribed times so
she learns that it’s futile to ask for food at other times. If that doesn’t
work, buy an automatic feeder that you can schedule to open at specific times.
At least then she’s more likely to meow at the feeder than at you! This is
especially useful if your cat wakes you up in the morning to be fed—she’ll
switch from bothering you to sitting and watching the feeder, waiting for it to
open.
·
If you’ve recently
placed your cat on a diet, consult with your veterinarian about high-fiber diet
foods or supplements that can help your cat feel satisfied with her reduced
intake.
·
If your cat isn’t
prone to gaining weight, consider leaving dry food out for her all the time so
she never has to feel hungry. If you feed a high-fiber diet food, your cat can
feel full without taking in too many calories. Check with your veterinarian
before trying this.
·
If your cat is meowing
to get you to let her inside/outside, consider installing a cat door so you
don’t have to serve as her butler. The ASPCA recommends that cats be kept
exclusively indoors to protect them from danger and disease. If you have a cat
who’s accustomed to going outside and you want to keep her in, she’s likely to
go through a period of meowing at doors and windows. There’s no easy way to get
through this, but as long as she never gets outside again, she will eventually
adjust to her life indoors and stop meowing so much.
·
If your female cat
isn’t spayed and she periodically meows excessively, she may be in heat at
those times. Female cats in heat typically become increasingly affectionate,
rub against you more, purr, roll around on the floor--and meow a lot.
This lasts 4 to10 days. An unspayed female cat who isn’t bred by (doesn’t have
sex with) a male cat will continue to come into heat every 18 to 24 days
throughout the breeding season (roughly February through September in the
Northern Hemisphere). Indoor cats may continue to come into heat all year
round. The best way to reduce excessive meowing caused by the heat cycle is to
have your cat spayed.
·
If your male cat isn’t
neutered and he periodically meows excessively, he may be hearing or smelling a
female cat in heat. He is likely to pace and meow relentlessly throughout the
time the female stays in heat. Unless you can completely prevent him from being
able to detect females in heat, the best way to reduce excessive meowing in an
intact male cat is to have him neutered.
·
If your cat is elderly
and has just started meowing excessively, make sure to have her evaluated by
your veterinarian for medical conditions, sensory deficits and cognitive
dysfunction. Medication may alleviate her discomfort.
What NOT to Do
·
Do not ignore your cat
when she meows. The one exception is if you know for certain that she’s meowing
to get you to do something she wants. In every other instance, it’s safest to
assume that something’s wrong—she may not have access to her litter box, or her
water bowl may be empty, or she may be locked in a closet. Always make sure
that her needs are met before assuming that she’s just being demanding by
meowing at you.
·
Do not scold or hit
your cat for meowing too much. While these punishments may send her scurrying
at first, they are unlikely to have a lasting effect on her meowing behavior.
They may, however, cause her to become fearful of you.
All information from the ASPCA.
A. What you’re finding are the discarded outer coverings your cat sheds as he keeps his claws sharp — and you’re to be congratulated, because it means your cat likes the scratching post you’ve offered enough to use it vigorously and happily. (I’m hoping it also means that he’s not using the corners of your sofa!)
When 
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