Depending on their personality, some cats are extremely communicative and expressive, while others are taciturn and only let a select few hear their sweet voice. Even so, if you think your cat meows too much, here we’ll explain the possible reasons and give you some tips to prevent your cat from waking you up in the middle of the night with its meows.
The different sounds that cats make
Meowing isn’t the only sound a cat makes. It’s important to know these differences; otherwise, we might misinterpret what our cat is trying to tell us.
Cat meows
Meows are vocal sounds that, in English and many other languages, we usually represent as “meow” (although in Ukrainian, cats make. Meowing is a characteristic sound that serves the purpose of attracting attention. It’s common for cats to meow when they want to enter or leave the house, when they’re hungry, thirsty, or simply when they need to be the center of attention. Female cats also meow more frequently and intensely when they are in heat. Similarly, when an intact male detects a female cat in heat, he will often meow persistently.
Cat squeaks and snorts
These are usually defensive sounds cats make when they feel uncomfortable or threatened. Chirps are short, high-pitched clicks, and hisses can be represented with the onomatopoeia jhjhjh and are a cat’s way of telling a rival cat, dog, or even a person, “Don’t come any closer or you’ll get scratched!”
Some cats express themselves with a mix of meows, purrs, and chirps, and in these cases, the chirp doesn’t mean the cat is uncomfortable. However, if your cat wasn’t making these sounds and has started chirping and hissing when you try to touch it, it may be a sign of pain, and it’s best to visit the vet to make sure everything is okay.
Cat purrs
It’s a unique sound that we could represent with the onomatopoeia. The purr is soft and gives the impression that the cat is emitting it with its entire body. For cat lovers, there’s no greater pleasure than having a kitty purring on their lap. Cats share this opinion, as purring is a sound they make when they’re calm, happy, and feel safe.
Why do cats meow?
Cats meow to get our attention. But why do they want our attention? These are the main reasons:
- They are hungry or thirsty.
- They want to enter or leave the house.
- They want to play or interact with us.
- They are afraid or anxious.
Why won’t my cat stop meowing?
Now that we know why cats meow normally, we can understand the reasons why a cat might meow excessively:
Pain or illness
Excessive meowing can be a sign of illness, especially if the vocalization is accompanied by other sounds, such as hissing. Likewise, if you’ve noticed significant changes in your cat’s behavior, such as refusing to eat, meowing intensely when using the litter box, or displaying aggression, you should take him to the vet to determine the cause.
Zeal
Female cats in heat meow a lot, prompting male cats to meow as well. The solution to this type of excessive meowing is neutering domestic cats. Neutering both male and female cats has many benefits for them and for their coexistence with people. For example, female cats in heat are prone to escaping, and in the case of community cats, uncontrolled reproduction often leads to abandonment. In addition, intact cats tend to be more aggressive and commonly mark their territory with urine.
Vocalization specific to the breed
Some cat breeds are famous for their high level of vocalization. The Siamese, for example, is a cat that never stops meowing . The legendary Chartreux, on the other hand, is perhaps the most taciturn cat in the world. You should take this personality trait into account when choosing a cat. If excessive meowing isn’t compatible with your lifestyle, it’s best to opt for a quieter breed.
Deafness and cognitive impairment
Deaf cats generally meow more. There’s also a correlation between white and blue eyes and deafness. Breeds like the Turkish Angora can exhibit this problem.
With age, cats’ cognitive abilities decline and erratic behaviors increase. Excessive meowing may be a sign that your cat is entering the later stages of life. Talk to your veterinarian to make sure you’re meeting the needs of a geriatric kitty .
Learning
Some cats meow nonstop because they’ve learned that it can help them get a reward. For example, if a cat meows for a treat and succeeds, it’s very likely to try again. When denied a treat, the cat won’t meow less; instead, it will persist, as it has worked in the past. If you give in and give the treat after a symphony of meows, you’ll have reinforced this behavior. It’s easy to see how this situation can get out of hand.
My cat meows at night , what can I do?
People are generally diurnal, while cats are generally crepuscular (meaning they’re most active around light changes). This discrepancy in schedules often creates conflicts between cats and their families. If your cat meows a lot at night , it’s simply because they need your attention at that time of day. To get your cat to let you sleep, all you have to do is satisfy his need through the following strategies:
Give him his free access to food
If your cat meows because it’s hungry, there’s nothing easier than leaving its food within easy reach so it can eat to its heart’s content while you sleep. However, keep in mind that, among all the cuteness of cats, some require someone to accompany them while they eat and refuse to eat without an audience . If this is your case, we recommend giving it its wet food at dusk, so it won’t get hungry until dawn. You may have taught your cat to wake you up for a treat. If this is the case, you should establish a schedule after which, under no circumstances, you should give your cat treats; instead, they should learn to settle for their food. If this unwanted behavior is well established, your cat will try to meow intensely for a few days, but if you are consistent, the behavior will disappear after a few weeks. Smart feeders are a solution to this problem, as they can automatically ration your cat’s food while monitoring your cat’s consumption. Remember that your cat should always have free access to fresh water, so he should never wake you up because of thirst.
Spend his energy during the day and give him something to entertain himself with at night.
If you increase your cat’s activity level during the day , he or she may sleep more of the night. This way, you can satisfy his or her need for social interaction before he or she is forced to wake you. Likewise, providing toys, puzzles, tunnels , and cat trees will help your cat entertain himself or herself while you enjoy a restful sleep. In ethology, this is known as habitat enrichment and is one of the best strategies for preventing all types of behavioral problems.
Install a pet door
If you allow your cat outside , it’s likely to wake you up when it wants to leave or come in. One solution is to install a smart pet door, which allows it controlled freedom. This way, your cat can continue its nighttime mischief without having to wake you.
