How to Handle Excessive Meowing

Is relentless meowing and yowling driving you bonkers? In this article, we discuss strategies to help cat owners address excessive meowing.

We cover how to identify and address underlying causes, establish consistent routines, and provide adequate mental and physical stimulation.

Understanding Your Cat’s Vocalizations

Cats communicate through a variety of vocalizations, each with distinct meanings and purposes.

Meowing is particularly fascinating because cats do it almost exclusively to communicate with humans, and not with each other.

You can take some comfort in this – if your cat meows a lot, you’ve got a communicator who feels a real connection with you! Indeed, some people love a talkative cat. But it can be a bit much sometimes.

Common Causes of Excessive Meowing

Cats may vocalize excessively due to several reasons. Hunger often prompts persistent meowing, especially around feeding times. Cats also meow to seek attention or playtime from their owners.

Pain or discomfort can lead to increased vocalization. If a cat suddenly becomes more vocal, it may indicate an underlying health issue requiring veterinary attention.

Some cats meow excessively when in heat or feeling stressed. Environmental changes, such as a new home or family member, can trigger stress-related vocalizations. Cats generally hate change.

Certain breeds, like Siamese cats, are naturally more talkative than others. Age-related cognitive decline in senior cats may also result in increased meowing, particularly at night.

Normal vs. Concerning Noises

Normal cat vocalizations include:

• Meows: For greeting, demands, or complaints
• Purrs: Indicating contentment or self-soothing
• Chirps or trills: Often used to get attention
• Hisses or growls: Warning signs of discomfort or aggression

Concerning noises that may warrant attention include:

• Excessive, loud yowling (yowling is normal for some cats during “hunting” or zoomies sessions)
• Sudden changes in vocalization patterns, especially when combined with other significant changes in behavior
• Persistent crying or howling
• Pained or distressed sounds

Owners should note the context and frequency of vocalizations. Keep a simple daily journal that tracks type, frequency, time, and context of vocalizations in order to identify patterns without needing to rely on your memory.

A cat that meows more than usual or makes unfamiliar sounds may be trying to communicate a problem. Regular vet consults or check-ups can help rule out medical issues causing abnormal vocalizations.

How You Shape Your Cat’s Meowing Habits

Many people don’t realize that they are contributing to the chatty habits of their cat. It can help to become aware of the things you do that may be reinforcing meowing (making meowing more likely).

We’re talking about the principles of behavioral reinforcement. Understanding how they work is key to getting your cat to meow less (or more, if that’s what you’re after).

Ways You’re Making Meowing More Likely

Meowing is used most often by cats to get something from you. This is usually food, gaining access to something desirable (e.g., getting you to open a door), or simply your attention.

When you respond to meowing right away by providing attention, food, or something desirable, you are making meowing more likely to occur in similar circumstances in the future.

In the table below, we’ve provided some examples of how you may be responding to meowing in a way that makes meowing more likely to occur with the same context in the future.

This works in the opposite direction, too. Ignoring meowing will often make meowing less likely to occur over time in the same circumstances. More on how to do this in a minute.

On the other hand, there may be certain contexts where you actually want your cat to be chatty. In this case, you can encourage the behavior by providing the attention your cat is seeking right away when they meow.

You can reinforce the meowing, making it more likely to occur in the future, by rewarding it with the things from our list above – attention, food, treats, affection, etc…

There are also probably contexts where you wish your cat would meow less or not at all. That’s why most of you are reading this in the first place!

These are the situations where you want to become aware of your own behaviors and how you may be responding to your cat in ways that encourage the meowing.

How to Make Meowing Less Likely

There are two strategies to use here:

• Reward behaviors you want to see
• Ignore behaviors you don’t want to see

How to Use Rewards

Using rewards to get more behaviors you want to see is known as positive reinforcement. In this case, you’re looking to reward silence.

To make meowing less likely, reward silence with treats, praise, or attention.

For example, if you’re trying to get your cat to beg less at meal time, wait until a few minutes have gone by without any meowing, then break out the food.

If you’re trying to get your cat to stop begging to be let out of a room, don’t let the cat out unless there have been at least several minutes of silence.

If you open the door too soon after meowing, you will be encouraging the meowing the next time around. Because in the cat’s mind, meowing worked like a charm!

How to Use Ignoring

The game plan here is to completely ignore vocal demands in situations where you want to reduce meowing.

Either pay no attention or even walk out of the room. By doing this, you are behaving in a way that your cat doesn’t want, so it will try something else (besides meowing) in the future.

Wait until there is silence for a few minutes, then reward that silent behavior by providing something desirable (like attention or a treat) or the thing your cat wanted in the first place (e.g., food or being let out of a room).

What to Avoid – Never Use Punishment

Excessive meowing can be stressful and frustrating, and may well test your patience with your cat. But it’s important to keep your cool and never use punishment, squirting, yelling, or scolding.

Remember that negative attention is still attention and may therefore reinforce the behavior you’re hoping to stop.

More importantly, not only does punishment not work, but it actually damages the trust and bond you have with your cat. It teaches your cat that you’re a person that can’t always be trusted as safe.

Environmental Enrichment for Your Cat

There are so many reasons to optimize the spaces of your home for your cat. The more cat-friendly your home is, the less likely unwanted behaviors will be. This applies to excessive meowing, too.

Here are some of the basics in optimizing the environment for your cat…

Provide interactive toys to keep cats mentally stimulated. Puzzle feeders, treat-dispensing toys, and rotating toy selections can reduce boredom-related vocalizations.

Create vertical spaces with cat trees, shelves, or window perches. These allow cats to observe their surroundings, reducing stress and anxiety that may lead to excessive meowing.

Set up bird feeders outside windows for visual entertainment. This natural “cat TV” can occupy felines for hours, decreasing their need for vocal attention-seeking. But many windows can provide ample entertainment even without feeders.

Engage in daily play sessions using prey play (toys designed for hunt, chase, pounce). Wand toys are perfect for this. Regular exercise helps burn energy and reduces restlessness, potentially decreasing nighttime vocalizations.

Consider adopting a feline companion if your cat is lonely. Some cats vocalize less when they have a playmate, though be sure to consider all pros and cons of adding another cat to your home, and introduce new pets gradually and carefully using a safe room for acclimation.

Establish a consistent routine for feeding and playtime. Cats often vocalize due to hunger or boredom. Regular schedules can reduce anticipatory meowing. Cats thrive on routine and predictability.

Addressing Nighttime Meowing

Many cat owners struggle with excessive vocalization at night because it disrupts their sleep. First, it’s important to understand that cats are naturally active at night. Cats will be cats.

But there are a few things you can try to keep from having your sleep disrupted…

Again, the more routines you have in place, the better regulated (and less stressed) your cat will be in general. So dial in that consistent schedule that includes daily play sessions to get that excess energy out.

Many people find white noise makers to help with sleep. I myself use a fan in the bedroom as a sleep aid, and I find that it also helps drown out any cat activity noises that may occur.

Try sleeping with your door closed so that any cat activity happens outside your room.

Sometimes this makes the problem worse because the cat then paws and meows at the door, but it’s worth a shot. (And remember how to use behavioral reinforcement – if you open your door in response to meowing or pawing, that behavior will be more likely to occur in the future!)

If your space allows for it, setting up a cat room where your cat(s) can be shut in each night can be really helpful. I’ve used this in a few of the places I’ve lived in and find it very effective in getting my cats to sleep throughout much of the night. Mud rooms or entryway rooms with doors are ideal.

In addition to nighttime activity being typical for cats, remember also that they are crepuscular, meaning that they are most active for hunting purposes at dawn and dusk.

Health and Nutrition

A cat’s diet and overall health can significantly impact their vocalization habits. Proper nutrition and regular veterinary care play crucial roles in managing excessive meowing.

Dietary Influences on Cat Behavior

Certain foods may contribute to increased vocalizations in cats. High-carbohydrate diets can lead to blood sugar fluctuations, potentially causing restlessness and excessive meowing.

Cats require a protein-rich diet to maintain optimal health and behavior.

Feeding schedules also affect cat behavior. Irregular meal times may prompt cats to vocalize more frequently in anticipation of food. Establishing consistent feeding routines can help reduce food-related meowing.

Some cats may have food sensitivities or allergies that cause discomfort, leading to increased vocalizations. Identifying and eliminating problematic ingredients can improve a cat’s well-being and reduce excessive meowing.

Medical Causes of Increased Meowing

Various health issues can trigger excessive vocalizations in cats.

Hyperthyroidism, a common endocrine disorder in older cats, often leads to increased meowing and restlessness. Regular thyroid screenings are essential for early detection and management.

Feline cognitive dysfunction, similar to dementia in humans, can cause disorientation and increased vocalization, especially at night. This condition primarily affects senior cats and requires veterinary attention.

Pain from arthritis, dental problems, or other underlying health issues may prompt cats to vocalize more frequently.

Regular check-ups and prompt treatment of any health concerns can help alleviate pain-related meowing.

Hearing loss, common in aging cats, may lead to louder vocalizations as cats struggle to gauge their own volume. Identifying and addressing hearing issues can improve communication between cats and their owners.

When to Seek Help

If there are signs there could be a medical issue, or if you’ve run out of things to try, it may be a good idea to consult with your veterinarian.

As outlined above, there are a lot of health related things that could contribute to excessive vocalizations. And you may be left guessing without getting your cat checked out.

If medical reasons have been ruled out and you’re at your wit’s end, consider consulting with a cat behavioral specialist. After an assessment, they may be able to identify reasons for meowing and help you with a plan to reduce the behavior.