The reasons your cat is excessively meowing?

Why does my cat meow excessively? Cats are known and loved for their unique meows and they meow to communicate with their owners or gain attention, but a cat’s excessive meowing should never be ignored. Cats have a wide range of vocalisations alongside meowing, so it is important to distinguish between meowing, hissing, cat purring and yowling in order to meet their needs and discover how to stop a cat from excessive meowing.

In this article, we’ll look at:

• Why do cats meow?
• 5 common causes of excessive meowing
• Why does my cat meow at night?
• Why is my kitten meowing so much?
• Why does my older cat meow so much?
• Why is my cat meowing differently?
• Why is my male cat meowing so much?
• How to reduce vocalisation
• Excessive cat meowing - FAQs

As well as meowing to communicate, cats hiss to show they are feeling threatened, they generally purr to communicate they are content and they may yowl when they are in pain, feeling territorial or in heat. You can find out more about different vocalisations and their meanings on our cat care hub. It is important to observe the cat's behaviour with each vocalisation, this will help you understand the meaning of their noises.

Why do cats meow?

The fascinating thing about cats’ meowing is that it’s a skill they use to communicate with humans. Kittens meow to their mother, but adult cats rarely meow at other cats - instead they tend to save their vocal prowess for us. But exactly why do cats meow?

Although cats may meow for a multitude of reasons, common causes are:

• Greeting you
• Hunger or thirst
• Wanting to be let outside, or back indoors
• Bored, or wanting to play
• Feeling unwell or experiencing pain
• Feeling territorial
• Being nervous, scared or excited
• Wanting to find a mate
• Having an urgent demand (such as a favourite toy stuck somewhere, or another animal in the house), which is why a cat’s excessive meowing may be for attention.

Sometimes it can be tricky to ascertain exactly what your cat is asking for, so making sure that all these basic needs are fulfilled will help you narrow down their requests. Generally, the longer and more drawn out the meow, the more urgent the demand, compared to a short mew when they see you, which is almost certainly your cat's way of saying “hello”! It is important to note that certain cat breeds may be more inclined to meow more frequently such as oriental breeds (breeds developed from and closely related to the Siamese cat), however, excessive meowing should not be ignored. If your cat is excessively meowing there may be an underlying issue they are trying to make you aware of. This article will help you figure out when meowing is excessive and what it could mean.

5 common causes of excessive meowing

Cats are unique animals and they all vocalise differently with varying frequencies! As you get to know your pet’s personality, a cat’s excessive meowing for attention may be easily solved, or it could also be a sign of an underlying issue that you need to investigate. For example, if you find that your cat is meowing in the middle of the night when there isn't an obvious need to communicate, this could be a sign that something else may be going on.

Cats communicate various needs through meowing, such as hunger, thirst, wanting attention, feeling stressed, scared, lonely or bored, or needing the toilet. Mating habits may also lead to more meowing than usual, and it’s important to note that different breeds can be more vocal than others. Observing context and body language, or consulting a vet, helps understand why. Meowing can be a normal feline behaviour and it is one of many different types of cat vocalisations. However, if your cat is constantly meowing it should be investigated further. Below are some of the common causes of cats meowing.

Your cat wants your attention

A cat’s excessive meowing for attention could simply be their way of calling you or trying to locate you within the home. It could also be your cat's way of telling you they are feeling hungry, thirsty, bored, lonely, or they want to play! Have you spent some quality time with your cat lately? We suggest engaging in some dedicated playtime with their favourite toy. Alternatively chatting away to them and/or a good scratch behind the ear or at the base of their tail may suffice, whatever they prefer! These meows may be shorter but persistent. These meows may also be accompanied by your pet staring you down too!

Your cat is making a request

Is your cat hungry, or have they been left in the wrong room or outside for too long? Your cat’s excessive meowing may be trying to let you know that their meal is late, or that they are trying to get back into their favourite part of the house! They may also have a dirty or empty water bowl, need their litter box changing, or they’ve lost something and want help to find it. These meows tend to be longer and more drawn out and may sound urgent.

Your cat wants to breed

Why does my cat keep meowing so loudly and constantly at the windows or at night? When female cats haven't been spayed they become very vocal, howling loudly and constantly to catch the attention of a potential mate. Similarly, when male cats who haven't been neutered smell female cats in heat they may also excessively meow to attract their attention from up to a mile away. Spaying or neutering your pet is always advised to avoid these unwanted behaviours which can be stressful for you and your pet.

Your cat is stressed

Excessive meowing may also be a sign that your cat is upset about recent changes in your home. Cats are very sensitive to any changes in their territory, and enjoy a set routine, so a cat’s excessive meowing could be the sign of a stressed cat. Have you introduced a new family member or pet to the home? This could be a possible trigger. Other triggers include moving house, not enough litter trays, not enough territory for your cat in your home, nearby construction, other animals inside the home, or a new cat has moved into the area and is within their territory. Take note of any recent changes in your home as identifying and alleviating stressors is the best way to combat this kind of excessive meowing. Feline pheromone diffusers can help ease stressful situations for cats.

Something is medically wrong

Pain and discomfort can lead to excessive cat meowing. If you have tried to resolve all the issues mentioned above and your cat is still constantly meowing it is time to consult your vet to check the health of your pet. Your vet may want to rule out urinary issues, kidney disease, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, deafness or blindness, or feline cognitive dysfunction, to make sure there are no underlying conditions or pain which is causing them to meow excessively.

Quantifying “excessive meowing” can be difficult, especially if you have a chatty cat! This is why observing the situation, behaviour and body language of your cat can help us best understand the meaning of the vocalisation. We advise that meowing qualifies as excessive when: it’s disrupting your daily life or causing you emotional distress.

Why does my cat meow at night?

If your cat exhibits excessive meowing at night, it can be considered part of normal behaviour as cats are crepuscular - meaning they’re most active at dawn and dusk. Night time meowing could be due to boredom, frustration, hunting, looking for a mate, or wanting something, such as food or drink, to come in or out, or aiming to get your attention for another reason. If your cat shows excessive meowing at night it's vital to check on them, to ensure they’re not ill, in danger, or have been shut somewhere they shouldn’t.

If you’d like to learn how to stop a cat from excessive meowing at night time, it comes down to creating a routine and sticking to it during the daytime. If it’s not an emergency, we recommend avoiding giving into their night time whims so that they learn it’s not the way (or the hour) to be entertained or seek attention. If the night meowing continues, it should be monitored in case of illness or other issues that need investigating.

Why is my kitten meowing so much?

Kittens commonly meow more than older cats do as it’s their way of communicating with their mother, and they may still be developing their communication skills with their human family. A new kitten may feel nervous, stressed, lost or unsettled, leading to more meowing. They may also be adjusting to being without their mother or siblings, suffering from separation anxiety, or feeling bored or understimulated. Other common kitten meowing meanings are that they’re teething, are adjusting to a new diet, or that their litter tray is dirty or inaccessible.

After making sure it’s not a hungry, thirsty, or toilet-related meow, it’s recommended to give them a safe space to retreat to, and introduce plenty of enrichment - such as cat trees, toys and scratching posts. Gradually build your bond through playing fun games together, offering little cat treats, and providing plenty of reassurance and attention during the daytime.

Why does my older cat meow so much?

As cats grow older they can also become more vocal and chatty, unfortunately, this is largely due to mental and cognitive decline. Key reasons why old cats meow so much include:

• Sensory decline, such as hearing or sight problems, or forgetfulness
• Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS)
• Anxiety or confusion
• Behaviour changes as they become seniors
• Medical conditions, including hyperthyroidism or high blood pressure
• Pain due to injuries, arthritis or tooth problems
• Territorial reasons, such as a new pet or baby

Just like humans, senior cats can experience vision or hearing loss as they grow older, meaning your pet is more likely to meow for help, attention, food or to locate where you are if they can't see or hear well. They may also yowl or meow when they are struggling to do something due to old age.

The answer to how to stop cats from meowing excessively as they get older is to get them first checked over by a vet to rule out health conditions or injuries. They may require medication or lifestyle adjustments to help them feel more comfortable and settled.

When to seek help with older cats yowling

If your cat shows signs of confusion, pain and movement issues, or is off their food, it’s important to contact your vet for advice as soon as possible. By observing them and giving them lots of attention, you will likely be able to sense if they have problems with their sight, hearing, digestion, or mobility.

It is useful to be aware of what changes your cat is experiencing as they grow older so you can be more empathetic and understand their needs better, as they may need a little more help with things than they did before!

Why is my cat meowing differently?

If the sound of your cat’s meow suddenly sounds different, it could signal an illness or throat problem. Whilst it’s usual for kittens to have maturing vocal chords, adult cats whose meow changes pitch or tone is something that needs attention and will require advice from a vet. Look out for watery eyes, a runny nose, reduced appetite, or sneezing. Also keep an eye on any changes in mobility, excess grooming, or problems swallowing as they may have an injury or a foreign body causing the issue.

Why is my male cat meowing so much?

Unneutered male cats may meow or yowl when they are looking for a mate. This can be a common reason for excessive meowing from males of a certain age, due to hormonal changes in their bodies. Look out for yowling and pacing, and marking his territory, particularly when he smells or hears a nearby female in heat.

Sometimes an unspayed female cat may yowl to seek out a male cat when she’s in heat. She will also be showing restless behaviour, and may want to be let outside more. Cat neutering can help prevent this, as well as bring additional health benefits to your pet.

How to reduce vocalisation

The best solution to how to stop cats from meowing excessively is to understand what they are trying to tell you and then aim to meet their needs in the most natural way possible! It can be confusing trying to understand exactly what your pet is trying to tell you without words, however, the following suggestions include common home remedies and actions that will help you narrow down which culprit is stressing your cat out.

• Cats need a consistent and defined routine! Changes to their routine and the absence of a set routine can be upsetting for them.
• Cats could also be meowing constantly due to loneliness. Make sure to spend some quality time with your pet. You can sit and groom them, pet them, play a game with them and chat to your cat to alleviate loneliness! Most cats love some one on one attention.
• If you can, keeping your cat away from windows at night can be helpful if their excessive meowing is triggered by cats outside. This may be happening due to territorial reasons or because your cat is in heat or other cats in the area are.
• Access to the outdoors during the daytime is another great way to help keep your pet entertained and stimulated for hours. This outdoor activity could involve other animals too.
• Make sure your cat has regular meal times and access to fresh water, especially before bedtime. A cat water fountain can help ensure your cat always has access to fresh running water. Feeding your cat before bed also ensures they won't try and wake you up with any hungry meows! By feeding your cat wet food twice a day (morning and night) and making cat dry food available to graze on throughout the day, you can help your cat mimic their natural instincts to eat several small meals a day.

If you have already tried these suggestions and are not seeing any noticeable improvements, you must consult your veterinarian to check your pet's overall health.

When it comes to how to stop a cat from excessive meowing, there are a few ‘dont’s’ alongside the ‘dos’!:

• Don't ignore it! As common as cat meows are, if you suspect your cat is excessively meowing you shouldn't ignore it. Even if you don't need to make a trip to the vet, excessive meowing is a cat's way of telling you something and it is your responsibility as an owner to find out what is going on with your pet.
• Don’t punish a cat for excessive meowing, remember, meowing is their primary method of communicating with us! Punishing your cat for meowing excessively will make the problem even worse. Punishing a cat will also create distrust between the cat and its owner, causing even more stress. Your pet will not understand why you are punishing them.
• Don’t give in! Utilise positive reinforcement by rewarding quiet behaviour with your cat’s favourite treats. Ignoring meowing that appears to be for attention may also help. Try chatting back to them, they'll enjoy the interaction!

If you are dealing with excessive meowing in a senior cat it's always beneficial to create stress-free environments where your pet feels super comfortable and at home. This will benefit their overall health and happiness as well as reduce any excess meowing.

Your pet is growing older and it's perfectly normal to expect that they may need some more help and attention than they did before.

Excessive cat meowing? - FAQs

Why is my cat meowing loudly so much all of a sudden?

Cats meowing loudly usually means they want your attention. They might be hungry, thirsty, need the toilet, want to play, feel scared, or simply want to say hello. They may also be feeling unwell, so observe their overall body language. The key to how to stop cats from meowing excessively is to understand what they may be trying to tell you.

Why has my cat suddenly become very vocal?

Sudden meowing, more loudly than usual, can indicate that your cat is feeling stressed or anxious, or needs medical attention. Cats can also become more vocal when they’re searching for a mate, or feeling territorial. Certain breeds are more vocal than others, and cats may become louder as they age, if they suffer from hearing or sight problems. If in doubt, consult your vet.

Why does my cat walk around the house meowing all day?

Loud meowing can be caused by stress, boredom, loneliness, or can be driven by hormonal changes. They may meow to locate you, or to try to tell you that something is wrong. They may also be upset by a change in routine, or if something isn’t where it’s supposed to be. If your cat exhibits excessive meowing at night, or during the day, they may be searching for a mate or suffering from a medical issue.

What are four signs your cat is suffering?

A cat which is not eating or drinking as usual, hiding away, limping, appearing withdrawn, or is suddenly nervous or aggressive needs to be seen by your vet as soon as possible. They may also move less, over-groom certain areas, and become more vocal for no clear reason, which will require a check up.