Why does my cat meow so much? 7 Causes and solutions

It sometimes seems like they can talk to you when your cat chases you merrily meowing through the house. Yet constantly meowing cats can also cause a great deal of annoyance. Although some cats meow more than others, they do so for a number of reasons. Whatever the reason, one thing is certain: they are trying to make something clear to you. After all, cats only meow to humans. So what is your cat actually trying to tell you? In this blog we will tell you the 7 most common causes ánd we will tell you how to solve them.

Why does a cat meow?

Cats meow only to humans. Among themselves, cats do not meow to each other because they use other means of communication to do so. Cats communicate among themselves by such means as body language, facial expressions, smell and touch. So when a cat meows, it does so to make something clear to you as the owner. The first step in getting a cat to stop meowing is to find out why it is meowing. A cat meowing for attention will need something different than a cat meowing in pain. Below we list the 7 most common reasons why cats meow (constantly) and how best to fix it:

1. Meowing due to a medical cause or illness

A first and certainly not the least important cause is that cats may meow due to an underlying medical problem. Especially when the cat suddenly meows much more than it normally does, chances are that the cat is suffering from something, is in pain or is sick and is trying to make that clear in this way. It is wise to visit the veterinarian then, so that a medical cause can be ruled out or treated.

2. Meowing due to learned behavior

If the vet has ruled out a medical cause, your cat may be meowing as a result of learned behavior. This means that the cat has figured out that it has a positive effect when it meows. Do you open the door when your cat is meowing at the door? Do you give him a treat if he meows when you are busy in the kitchen? Or do you give him an extra pet when he stands in front of you and greets you affectionately but vocally? Then his goal is accomplished: namely, he gets your attention. By even just looking at the cat when he meows you are confirming his behavior and it is enough to encourage the cat to continue his behavior. Note: also getting angry or addressing the cat sees as (negative) attention and thus his mission succeeded. So punishment has no use, it is best to just ignore the cat. When he is quiet you can reward the cat.

3. Meowing due to loneliness and boredom

If a cat is often home alone, it may feel lonely. Although cats are solitary animals, most cats do like company from time to time. Thus, a cat may greet you at length by meowing when you come home.

One solution to this is to give the cat more attention. This can be done, for example, by playing with him or buying special cat toys. A useful tip for when you are away from home a lot is to buy toys that move. This allows the cat to keep itself busy and entertained.

4. Meowing as a result of hunger

Does your cat meow nonstop every time someone comes into the kitchen? Then he is probably begging for food, even if it is not the usual feeding time. Some cats can become very noisy when they think it's time to be fed.

This is best solved by simply not feeding the cat when he meows. Instead, wait until the cat is quiet and then put the food bowl down. Also, do not give the cat snacks when it meows at you. Over time, the cat will learn that being quiet means feeding time.

5. Meowing as a result of stress

Stress can also cause a cat to meow more and louder. If you've recently moved, gained a new family member or some other significant change in the house, a cat may be stressed. Thunderstorms and fireworks can also cause stress. Try to reassure a cat when you notice it is experiencing stress. Also, give cats plenty of time to settle down when you have recently moved or a new family member has joined you. Be careful not to give your cat too much attention, though, because he may also abuse excessive meowing to get his way.

6. Meowing due to old age

As cats age, they may suffer from mental confusion. As with older humans, this means they can easily become disoriented. This can cause a cat to meow more often, especially at night in the dark. You can solve this by simply leaving a nightlight on in the room where the cat prefers to sleep. This can help the cat feel more comfortable when it becomes disoriented at night.

7. Meowing due to being in heat

Cats that have not been spayed often meow a lot and loudly when they are in heat. In addition to being vocally very present, a cat often becomes extra affectionate due to being in heat. Because heat is hormonal and stems from instinct, you cannot solve the cat's excessive meowing during this period by simply ignoring the cat. If you do not plan to breed a litter of kittens, you can have the cat spayed. This will also end the behavior associated with heat.

Listen to your cat

Although cat meowing can sometimes be very annoying, in most cases it is a sign that your four-legged friend wants to make something clear to you. So it is important to always find out the cause of excessive meowing. At first, check whether the cat's meowing has a medical cause. If it does not, you can use the tips above to figure out what your cat is trying to tell you.

Persistence wins

If you want to get rid of a cat's excessive meowing, it is important not to reward the cat when it meows. Giving the cat attention when it meows, looking at it or feeding it anyway are examples of rewarding a cat. It is best to ignore the cat when it meows excessively and reward it the moment it is quiet. This can be a long process where it is very important to be consistent. We all know how difficult that can be sometimes, but remember: the perseverer always wins!

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