Meowing and Yowling
Cats meow as a way of communicating with people. They meow for a number of reasons, like to say hello, to ask for something, or to let you know when something is wrong. While kittens meow to let their mother know they need something, adult cats actually don’t meow at one another. However, they do continue to meow at people, most likely because they know it’s an effective way of getting what they want. Many cats also yowl, which is similar to meowing but more drawn out. Adult cats do continue to yowl at each other, in particular during mating season. All cats are going to meow to some degree, but when does it become excessive? Certain breeds of cats, such as Siamese, are known to meow and yowl more frequently than others.
So why do cats meow or yowl? There are actually a number of reasons. Cats meow as a way of greeting you, to demand attention, to ask for food, to be let inside or outside, to find a mate (for cats who are not fixed), or if they are elderly and suffering from mental confusion, such as a result of the cat version of Alzheimer’s Disease.
A cat who meows excessively should be examined by a vet to be sure that an underlying medical condition is not the cause. A number of diseases can cause cats to feel inordinately hungry, thirsty, restless, or irritable, any of which can result in increased meowing. As cats grow older, they are at risk of developing an overactive thyroid or kidney disease, both of which can cause an increase in meowing.
In order to address your cat’s excessive meowing, you first need to figure out the cause. After you identify what causes her to meow, you can try to address the problem with some of these solutions.
While meowing may be annoying at times, it is important to not ignore your cat when she meows, unless you know for sure that she is doing it to get you to do something she wants. In all other cases, it’s a good idea to assume something may be wrong. Maybe her water bowl is empty or she is trapped somewhere in the house. Be sure that all her needs are being met before assuming she is just seeking attention. Additionally, never scold or hit your cat for meowing. Not only will they not have a lasting effect on her meowing behavior, they may also cause her to become scared of you.
References
Whiteley, H. E. (2008, February 12). How to Solve Cat Behavior Problems. Retrieved from https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/how-to-solve-cat-behavior-problems1.htm
So why do cats meow or yowl? There are actually a number of reasons. Cats meow as a way of greeting you, to demand attention, to ask for food, to be let inside or outside, to find a mate (for cats who are not fixed), or if they are elderly and suffering from mental confusion, such as a result of the cat version of Alzheimer’s Disease.
A cat who meows excessively should be examined by a vet to be sure that an underlying medical condition is not the cause. A number of diseases can cause cats to feel inordinately hungry, thirsty, restless, or irritable, any of which can result in increased meowing. As cats grow older, they are at risk of developing an overactive thyroid or kidney disease, both of which can cause an increase in meowing.
In order to address your cat’s excessive meowing, you first need to figure out the cause. After you identify what causes her to meow, you can try to address the problem with some of these solutions.
- If your cat is meowing in an attempt to get attention, she needs to learn that you will only pay attention to her when she is quiet. Do not shout at her or give her any sort of attention, negative or otherwise. Instead, wait for a period of silence then immediately give her the attention she is seeking. If she begins to meow again, walk away and return only when she has stopped meowing. With time and patience, your cat will eventually catch on.
- If it seems that your cat is meowing out of loneliness, consider having a pet sitter drop by halfway through the day to spend time with her.
- If your cat meows for food, don’t feed her when she’s crying. Only feed her at specific times, so that way she will learn that it is pointless to ask for food at other times. Another alternative is to use an automatic feeder that can be scheduled to dispense food at certain times. This is also useful if your cat wakes you up in the morning wanting to be fed.
- If your cat is on a new diet, she may be meowing because she does not feel full after eating. Speak with your vet about high-fiber diet foods or supplements that can be added to her diet to help her feel satisfied.
- For cats that are not likely to gain weight, you can leave dry food out for her so she can eat throughout the day and not be hungry.
- If your cat is meowing because she wants to be let inside or outside, installing a cat door is a good solution. Cats that were traditionally indoor/outdoor cats but are transitioning to indoor only cats will likely meow more often during the adjustment period. One option to alleviate this is to build an outdoor cat enclosure so she can still go outside while staying safe.
- For female cats that are not spayed, she will likely meow excessive from time to time when she is in heat. This should last approximately four to ten days. An unspayed cat who does not mate with a male will continue to come into heat roughly every 18 to 24 days for the duration of the breeding season, which is approximately February through September. However, indoor cats may continue to come into heat year-round. The best way to combat excessive meowing related to the heat cycle is to have your cat spayed.
- If your male cat is not neutered, he may occasionally meow excessively when he hears or smells a female cat in heat. When this occurs, he will likely pace and meow incessantly throughout the time the female is in heat. The best way to address this is to have your cat neutered.
- If you have an elderly cat who suddenly begins meowing excessively, be sure to make a visit to the vet to have her examined. For certain conditions, medication can be an effective solution
While meowing may be annoying at times, it is important to not ignore your cat when she meows, unless you know for sure that she is doing it to get you to do something she wants. In all other cases, it’s a good idea to assume something may be wrong. Maybe her water bowl is empty or she is trapped somewhere in the house. Be sure that all her needs are being met before assuming she is just seeking attention. Additionally, never scold or hit your cat for meowing. Not only will they not have a lasting effect on her meowing behavior, they may also cause her to become scared of you.
References
Whiteley, H. E. (2008, February 12). How to Solve Cat Behavior Problems. Retrieved from https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/how-to-solve-cat-behavior-problems1.htm