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Why Does My Cat Meow So Much?

Updated by Amy Granger on Jun 9, 2021

Are you wondering why on earth your cat meows so much? We know that meowing is one of a cat's natural ways of communicating, and it's often accompanied by a cute purring or chirping sound.

But when your cat's meowing becomes excessive, it can be a worrying sign that things might not be right with your feline companion. In this post, we help you understand why your cat meows so much and give you some advice on how to change their worrying behavior.

Why do cats meow?

There are so many reasons why cat's meow. Primarily, it's their main way of communicating with people or other animals. They might meow to say hello, ask for things by getting your attention, or to vocalize their displeasure about something that has happened.

Meowing is part and parcel of a cat's character, and many cat owners find it endearing when their cat vocalizes something. If it's associated with purring and other displays of affection, meowing is a sign that your cat is happy and content and is showing you love.

However, if your cat consistently meows and you have no idea why, it could be a sign that they're frustrated, in pain, or are trying to communicate something to you that you haven't yet picked up on.

Is it normal for cats to meow a lot?

While meowing is perfectly natural, if your cat is meowing a lot, it could be a sign that something isn't right. Remember, every cat is different, but their constant meowing could be a sign of one or more of the following seven issues:

Illness or injury: If your cat has recently started meowing excessively, they might be in pain. It might not be anything serious, but meowing is the way your cat communicates its distress. If you're worried that they might be ill or injured, schedule an appointment with your vet right away.
Attention seeking: Although cats are often independent, they still love to be fussed by their humans. If you shower your cat with lots of love and attention, they will become accustomed to it. While there's nothing wrong with this, be mindful that if the attention stops, your cat will want to know why!
Hunger: Around mealtimes, your cat will tell you that they're hungry. If you normally feed your cat at a certain time, the meowing can start even a few hours before you're ready to give them food. This is their way of telling you that they're ready to eat, even if you aren't ready to feed them. Some cat owners buy automatic feeders to manage their cat's constant meowing around mealtimes.
Greeting: Remember, every cat has a unique personality. Like humans, some cats just like to talk! If your cat constantly meows when you enter the house, and then again when they want to play, it could just be a sign that they want to interact with you, and there's not a great deal you can do to change this!
Stress: Cats vocalize their stress by meowing. Stress is caused by various factors, and it might not be obvious to you at first. If you've recently moved house, have adopted a new pet, or have just welcomed a baby into your family, it can be a stressful time for your cat. If they're stressed, it will take your cat a while to adjust to the new situation.
Lonely: If you leave your cat alone for too long, they can get lonely. It's not true that all cats love to be independent, and many actually love interacting with humans. Think about hiring a pet sitter or asking a family member to check in on your cat if you're away from home for long periods.
Aging: If your cat is old, they might be suffering from confusion or frustration. Again, this is a natural development and something you can't control. It's best just to make your cat as comfortable as you can and treat them with as much love and affection as possible.

How do you stop loud & continuous meowing in cats?

To stop loud and continuous meowing in cats, you first need to establish why they're meowing. As introduced above, your cat might be meowing for a whole host of reasons. Spend time with your cat and analyze the situation. If you can't work it out and you think there might be an issue, schedule an appointment with your vet and ask for their advice.

Make small changes in your cat's life to try and stop the meowing. By process of elimination, you will ultimately be able to understand why your cat is meowing and take action to change the behavior. Try the following four techniques, to begin with:

Sit next to them and give them attention. Play with various toys and stimulate them. Tiring them out might reduce their tendency to meow.
Take them to the vet. If you're worried that your cat might have an underlying health issue, schedule an appointment with your vet as soon as you can.
Feed them at different times of the day. If your cat is hungry, changing their feeding pattern might help to stop their constant meowing.
Hire a pet sitter or ask a family member to drop by while you're at work. Cats often get lonely, so make sure there's someone around to keep them company.

FAQs

Q1. Why does my cat meow at me for no reason?

The truth is, your cat won't be meowing at you for no reason. As we've introduced, you will need to work out why your cat is meowing and take action to change their environment.

Q2. Why does my cat meow so much in the morning?

Your cat may be meowing in the morning for various reasons. They might be meowing to wake you up because they're so happy to see you! Alternatively, they may be hungry, or they might need you to change their litter tray. Spend a bit of time getting to know your cat's personality so you can work out why they're meowing at that particular time.

Q3. Why does my cat meow so much at night?

Like in the morning, you will need to work out what factors contribute to your cat's meowing. As well as being hungry, consider the fact that your cat might not be happy with where they're sleeping at night. Also, something [like squirrels] might be entering the garden at night, distracting your cat and causing them to meow. By making small changes, you will be able to work out why your cat is meowing at a particular time of the day.

Conclusion

The key takeaway from this article is that cats meow for many reasons. You need to spend time getting to know your cat's personality and make small changes over time that will help to calm your cat.

If you're worried that your cat's meowing is a sign of distress, illness, or injury, make sure you take them to the vet right away and book them in for a check-up. If they're not injured or ill, your vet will also be able to guide you on how to try and stop your cat from meowing for seemingly no reason at all.

Amy Granger

Amy is an editor from iPetor, owns a 4-year experience in writing tips and tutorial for users. As a pet owner, she will share more pets care methods and recommend more useful products for all pet owners.