Why Does My Cat Meow So Much?

Do you pay too much attention to your cat?

Do you feed your cat every time it meows?

Does your cat shows any signs of being in heat, like increased affection, increased attention to the genital region, increased insistence to go outside, etc?

Is something causing stress to your cat?

Is your cat old?

Cats often meow to initiate play, petting, or to get you to talk to them. If you want to cut down on attention-seeking meows, stop responding when it happens. Only give them attention when they are quiet. If they start to meow again, look or walk away. But don’t ignore your pet. Spend quality time each day with them, playing, grooming, and talking to them. A tired pet is a quieter pet.

Some cats meow every time someone walks in the kitchen, hoping to get food. And many cats become very vocal when it gets close to their feeding times. If this is your problem, don’t feed your cat when they cry. Wait until they are quiet to put down food, and don’t give them treats when they meow. If this doesn’t work, get an automatic feeder that opens at set times.

If your cat isn’t spayed or neutered, then their meowing will increase in breeding times. Females yowl when in heat and males yowl when they smell a female in heat. Getting your pet spayed or neutered will prevent this.

Cats that are experiencing stress often become more vocal. A new pet or baby, a move, or changes to the home, an illness, or the loss of a loved one can cause stress to a cat. Try to discover what is stressing your pet and help them adjust to the change. If that’s not possible, give your cat extra attention and quiet time to help soothe them.

Cats can suffer from a form of mental confusion, or cognitive dysfunction, as they age. They become disoriented and often cry plaintively for no apparent reason, especially at night. A nightlight sometimes can help if your cat becomes disoriented at night, and veterinarians often can prescribe medications that help these symptoms.

Many cats meow when their people come home, or even when they just meet them in the house. This is a hard habit to break but look at it as a cat saying they are happy to see you.