Why does my cat meow so much?
There are several causes for the excessive meowing of cats. For example, a cat meows to get attention from its owner, but also out of boredom or fear. In addition, there can also be a medical cause for excessive meowing, such as dementia or an illness. A cat will meow a lot when he or she is not feeling well. In this article, we'll discuss the possible causes of excessive meowing.
Certain cat breeds like to chat
Some breeds, such as Siamese or other Eastern breeds, use their voices more than the average cat. They are chatterboxes that can meow a lot and loudly. They also like to be around people and ask for your attention by meowing. If you always react to this, it can stimulate meowing.
A lot of meowing to get attention
If your cat has learned that he or she gets attention by meowing, they quickly realize that the meowing is beneficial and will do it more often to get attention. For example, your cat may meow out of boredom or because he/she wants to eat. If you don’t like your cat meowing a lot, in this case, it’s especially important that you ignore the meowing for attention. You only give your cat attention when your cat is quiet and no longer asks for attention. If your cat meows out of boredom, it is wise to find more distractions for your cat, for example by giving a new cat toy, puzzle or scratching post. Try to make more time for yourself to play with your cat. The meowing for food can be solved by feeding your cat smaller amounts of food during the day rather than 1 or 2 big meals.
A lot of meowing due to fear or tension
Most cats do not tolerate changes well. This can cause stress, which can cause excessive meowing. If you feel that your cat is experiencing stress and is meowing because of this, you can use a reassuring supplement, such as the Feliway Optimum to reduce the anxiety.
In heat
Cats in heat also meow a lot and loudly. Hormones are the cause of this and they try to attract the attention of male cats in the neighbourhood. If you find the heat behaviour annoying, the best option is to have your cat sterilised.
A lot of meowing due to a medical cause
Finally, a cat can also meow more due to a medical cause. For example, your cat is in pain and expresses this by meowing. If you are in doubt about the health of your cat, it is sensible to bring your cat to your veterinarian. If you have an older cat, excessive meowing can also be caused by the start of dementia. In this case you can support your cat with a supplement such as Cholodin.
If you tried everything and your cat continues to meow a lot and a medical cause has been ruled out, a behavioural therapist is another option. A behavioural therapist looks at the situation at your home and can give personal advice.
Do you have any questions about a cat’s meowing? Please contact veterinarian@vetsend.co.uk.
