Some cats are quieter than others, but most cats will meow. How much they meow can vary from cat to cat, but it’s rare to find a cat that doesn’t.
The volume at which a cat meows can also vary, to the point that some cats can sound like they are screaming at you rather than meowing.
Why Do Cats Meow?
Every cat is different, but there are lots of reasons why your cat might meow. We discuss in this article some of the reason why cats meow.
Talking To You
Just like we say hello to each other, your cat could just be saying “hello, how are you doing, what you up to today?” Dogs bark to get your attention and communicate with you, so it’s likely that cats are doing the same.
Have you ever noticed that your cat is meowing at normal volume and then when they don’t get your immediate attention the volume on their meow is turned up, much like we would raise our voices to make ourselves heard.
Talking to your cat in a calm voice can help them feel relaxed and noticed, which can help stop the constant meowing.
They Want Feeding
When you wake up in the morning, and when you come home from work, your cat is probably waiting for their food. When cats don’t get fed straight away they tend to meow to remind you!
What can start off as a fairly quiet meow to say hello, quickly turns into a super loud meow when they are not fed straight away.
Creating a feeding routine which lets them know when to expect food can reduce the amount of meowing at feeding time.
Mating
Cats meow when they are in season. The female will cry out when they are on heat to a potential partner, similarly, a male cat will meow if they get a sniff of a cat on heat.
This can last from 3-10 days or more, but ideally, you should speak with your vet about getting your cat spayed or neutered your cat.
You may hear this noise from other cats in your area if they are not neutered or spayed.
Under The Weather
If your cat is:
- Behaving differently than normal and meowing when they don’t normally then they may be feeling under the weather.
- Meow when you touch them or when they walk or move, then it may be that they are hurting.
If you have any concerns about the health of your cat then book an appointment at your local vets to get them a checkup.
Attention
It’s a total myth that cats are independent creatures and don’t want human attention. Yes, they are more independent than dogs, to some extent, but they still want love and cuddles.
If your cat is meowing it may be that they want a belly rub, a cuddle on your knee or just a quick chat with you. Their only way to communicate with you is to meow and let you know they want something.
Boredom
It’s likely that your cat spends quite a bit of time on their own while you are at sleeping or at work. So when they see you coming down the stairs in the morning, or in the front door at night, they want to spend time with you.
They might have been bored and now want to spend time playing with you. This may be the time that you normally let them out so they can explore the area and relieve some boredom.
What To Do If Your Cat Is Meowing Excessively?
Look for patterns in their behaviour
Is your cat meowing more than normal? Are they meowing for no reason?
If this is the case then you might want to monitor their behaviour to see if there is something that is bothering them. If normally they only meow for food and now they are meowing during the night then it’s important to see if you can identify what is bothering them,
For example, if they are meowing a lot at night then maybe there is something that is upsetting your cat. Perhaps another cat is coming into your garden at night which you cat is hearing and it’s disturbing them.
Keep to A Routine
I know my cat is a creature of habit. He likes his dinner at the same time every day and so if he doesn’t get it then that’s when the super loud meowing begins.
By keeping a routine you help your cat stay relaxed and happy. They know when you are coming home when they are let in/out of the house and when they are getting fed. They also know when you will be spending time playing with them.
Spend More Time With Them
If your cat is meowing a lot for attention then giving them more attention will stop excessive meowing. Get them toys they can play with to keep them entertained.
Maybe they just want to sit on your lap and spend time with you. Sometimes it can just be as simple as that.
Get them checked by a vet
If you are at any stage concerned about your cat’s behaviour then visit your vet. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to these things.
How Can Pet Sitters Ireland Help?
If you know your cat doesn’t like change or gets lonely when you are out then considering hiring a Cat Sitter to come in and spend time with your cat.
We’d love to chat to you about how our service works, just get in touch with any questions via the contact form.
