Reasons Your Cat May Be Meowing So Much

Did you know that most adult cats use their meows to communicate with people, rather than other cats? It's true! With the exception of mother cats communicating with their kittens, adult cats communicate with one another using body language, facial expressions, scent and touch - not vocalization. Meowing, it seems, is for their two-legged friends who don't understand their other communiques.

So this begs the question... why do some cats meow more than others? Do some cats simply have more to say? Or do they think their humans need some nagging to get what they want?

The truth is, like people, some cats are simply more vocal than others. They meow to let you know they’re there. They meow because they want something to eat. They meow to say “hello.” Sometimes they  just meow. Whatever the reason, a chatty kitty is nothing to worry about unless the chattiness is new.

“Changes in your cat's vocalization patterns can mean medical or health problems, so it's important you know what's normal for your cat and what's out of character. If your cat tends to be an avid conversationalist and suddenly becomes quiet, or if your typically reticent feline suddenly becomes loud and insistent, he may be trying to tell you he's ill, in pain or uncomfortable. Take him to the vet and have him thoroughly checked out.” (Source)

5 Reasons Why Your Cat May Suddenly Be Hyper Vocal

1. Heat -- Is your cat spayed or neutered? If not, s/he could be looking for love. This is most pronounced in females when they go into heat, but un-neutered males who smell in-heat females can also get vocal. These cries will go far beyond, “feed me, I’m hungry” meows, and instead will sound more like howls (yowling). The answer to this behavior is very simple: have your cat spayed or neutered.
2. Boredom -- If your cat is bored, s/he’ll let you know by meowing all the time. Make sure to rotate through interesting toys, and truly devote some time to play and exercise each day. Another way to alleviate boredom is to give Kitty a kitty friend. You can talk to us about preparing to adopt!
   
3. Old Age -- There are so many health issues that can arise as cats age, including losing hearing and eyesight. Watch your cat carefully. Is he bumping into things? Seeming more hesitant about jumping? If so, it’s time to get him checked out with your veterinarian to see what’s wrong. Alternatively, Kitty's chattiness may have changed with age. Either way, it's worth getting checked.
4. Sickness -- A cat that doesn't feel well may try to tell you about it - by meowing either more or less than normal. The key thing to pay attention to is whether Kitty's chatty habits have changed. If s/he has a problem that causes pain, hunger, thirst, confusion, etc... Kitty may try to tell you. 
5. Pain -- Cats who are meowing a lot are trying to tell you something, and it may be that they are in pain. Since they can’t tell you exactly where it hurts, you’ll have to watch for clues. For example, does your kitty seem to have a problem using the litter box all of a sudden? Signs of a urinary tract problem include unusually frequent use of the litter box (which may or may not result in more urine production!).

According to the ASPCA, “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.”

If you have your cat checked out and he seems healthy but still more “meowy” than you would like, you can try some cat training tips from cat behavioral specialist Pam Johnson-Bennett.

Now that you know a few of the common reasons your cat may be meowing so much, ask yourself if this is a recent change. If so, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out any serious health problems. Give us a call or fill out our online form for an appointment!