When your cat meows, this is their way of communicating with you. Your cat may just be saying, “hello, it’s good to see you,” or there may be other reasons behind their cries. Cats do not typically meow at each other once they become adults. They reserve their unique vocal language for their humans only.
Your cat could be meowing excessively because they are hungry, afraid, sick, or when they need your attention and love. There are different meow sounds that cats make at certain times.
If your cat is meowing non-stop, it can be very challenging for you to figure out the issue. If they sound as if they are in pain, you should take them to see your veterinarian right away. Look at this article and find out why your cat is meowing excessively.
Why Is My Cat Meowing Non-Stop?
There are a plethora of explanations as to why your cat could constantly be crying. They may be sick or ill, or maybe they want your attention. The following are the primary reasons why your cat is meowing non-stop:
They Are Asking for Your Attention
When your cat is seeking your attention, they can be very loud and persistent. You may be occupied with work or your personal life, but you should still take the time to spend some playtime with your cat and give them some love. Your cat depends on you for your love and attention.
You should aim to give them what they need every day. If you do not give your cat enough attention, they will most likely feel neglected and meow more. This attention-seeking could lead to behavioral issues in your cat. Above all, your cat has feelings, too, and you could make them feel bad by ignoring them.
They Feel Fear or Threatened
When your cat feels afraid or threatened, they will often meow more. This behavior could occur if there is a thunderstorm or fireworks outside and they do not like loud noises. This noise could make them cry or cower and hide in the corner.
If the perceived threat is another animal either in the house or outside, they may meow because they genuinely feel threatened by the other animal. If they meow for this reason, it may become uncontrollable.
If you have just brought a new animal, such as another cat or a dog, into the house, your cat may feel territorial about their space and intimidated by this other creature they are sharing space with. This introduction could make them meow constantly.
Mating Season
Cats communicate with other cats during this time. This communication can become inconvenient, especially when they are meowing loudly at night. Cats are primarily active at night. The most common way cat parents prevent their feline from participating during mating season is to neuter their cat.
When cats are in heat, and they “couple,” they like to brag about it. They become loud, and it is continuous. It has been observed that cats will scream and become rather aggressive during the mating ritual. Neutering your cat will help them to calm down and make them a more obedient pet.
They Want Food
Your cat may be crying every time someone enters the kitchen. They probably want to eat, even if it is not mealtime. Cats can become very persistent when it comes to begging for food. They can do this with treats as well.
Do not feed your cat when they meow if you want to train your cat not to do this. Try giving them their food when they are quiet. Give them treats when they are quiet. This way, your cat will learn that if they are quiet, they get their food.
They Are Sick
Many different ailments could cause your cat to be stressed, thirsty, hungry, or in pain. The outcome is constant meowing. An overactive thyroid is an example of an illness that will make your cat hungry all the time. This hunger will make them cry for food more than usual.
Stress can make your cat meow a lot, and they may not be comfortable. The cat could be in pain or not feel good. If you think your cat may be suffering from physical or emotional pain, contact your veterinarian immediately.
They Are Getting Older
As cats get older, they may experience mental dysfunction or confusion. Confusion will make them feel uneasy and possibly unsafe. This uncertainty can cause your cat to cry more often, especially at night. Cats can develop feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
Your cat may start to have poor eyesight and hearing and become disoriented and forget where they are in the house. When this occurs, they will often cry out for help. You can install a nightlight to help them see better.
You can also provide a heated bed if they have any pain from arthritis, as older cats tend to have. Take them to see the vet and rule out any other medical problems.
They Are Greeting You
If you have not been in the house all day, or even if you are just in different rooms for a while, your cat can become excited to see you and greet you warmly with a welcoming meow. Sometimes they will even meow a few times to let you know they missed you.
Cats are very vocal creatures, and they like to make their feelings and expressions known. They will often feel comfortable enough to talk to you about what they are thinking and feeling. The trick is how to decipher all the different meows.
Just What Does My Cat Mean When They Speak?
The sound of a cat’s meow is unmistakable. Cats cry for various reasons, and there are many different types of meows. See the chart below for the different kinds of meows and what they mean:
As you can see, cats are very chatty, and they love to talk to us! It is helpful to know what their sounds mean.
What Do You Do When Your Cat Doesn’t Stop Meowing?
There are a few solutions to what you can do if your cat is overly vocal. Sometimes tough love is best, but not always. The following are the right ways to handle the situation:
No Food When It’s Not Time to Eat
If your cat is crying for food or treats – If it is not time to eat, you should try to ignore them and wait until they are quiet and it is feeding time. The primary reason you should do this is that you need to put your cat’s health first. It is easy for cats to become obese if they are being overfed. Try only to feed them when it is designated meal or treat times.
Play Time Before Bedtime
If your cat is crying at night when you are trying to sleep, play with your cat before bedtime; this will prevent your cat from crying loudly outside your bedroom at night. Cats sleep all day, so if they have not been worn out from playtime, they can be up to no good come nighttime.
Is Their Litter Box Clean?
If your cat is crying by the litter box, make sure your cat has a clean litter box when they go to the bathroom. Cats detest having a dirty litter box and take offense when it is not pristine. Clean the litter box daily.
The Meows Don’t Lie
If your cats’ cries are low pitched and painful sounding – If your cat sounds like they may be in pain, that means that you should get them to the vet as soon as possible. It can be concerning if your cat will not stop crying. Sometimes your cat is trying to communicate something important.
We Can Help with Your Cat’s Excessive Meowing
If your cat is talking a little more than usual, they may be trying to tell you something. They could be seeking your attention, or they may not be feeling well.
Whatever the case may be, you need to listen to your cat when they speak. Part of being a good cat parent means identifying a normal meow from an unusual or constant cry. If you have questions or concerns about your cat’s behavior, please call All Kinds Veterinary Hospital at (301) 994-9919 and we’d be happy to help!