My Cat Meows All the Time: What to Do?

Some cats meow a lot, more than others, sometimes to the point of distressing their owners, who don’t know what to do about these incessant vocalizations. If your cat meows all the time, you must first understand the causes of this meowing to better deal with it.

My cat meows all the time: the purpose of meowing

Cats don’t meow much with each other; this vocalization is used mainly by the cat and her kittens. Once adult cats have other preferred means of communication, meowing is almost no longer part of it. The meow is, therefore, explicitly used to communicate with humans! Domestic cats have developed dozens of different modulations to make themselves understood by humans.

Good to know: the communication of cats is complex. It includes three main axes: body language, olfactory and visual signals, and vocal language.

My cat meows all the time: why?

When your cat meows from morning to night and continues even in the middle of the night, it makes you wonder what’s wrong. This incessant meowing can be exhausting for our ears and make us worry. Let’s see what could be the causes of a cat meowing so much:

Vital needs: eating, drinking, having a good bed, and observation posts; these are the basics of comfort for cats. The meow of a hungry cat is very recognizable, and the longer you make him wait, the more urgent the tone becomes. If that’s not enough to make himself understood, the cat will follow you into the kitchen or plant himself right next to his kibble packet.

Boredom: yes, cats can suffer from boredom, especially those who do not have access to the outside, so their demands for attention are expressed by meowing, sometimes incessant.

Stress: An anxious cat meows to express its distress and seek your protection. Nervous cats may meow during car rides or moving from one place to another, especially at night.

Pain: As much as a sick cat remains prostrate and silent, it may signal something is wrong. If your cat isn’t ordinarily meowy and suddenly starts meowing insistently, it should be a warning to you.

Old age: Yes, aging is regularly accompanied by illness and pain. Older cats can become disoriented, have osteoarthritis, and develop thyroid problems, all of which can cause a cat to become meowy as it ages.

But what if he’s just very talkative? Quite possible! Some breeds of cats are mainly known for their talkativeness (Asian, Siamese, Oriental, and Burmese breeds of cats…). If your cat has been an inveterate talker since he was young, if you have met all his vital needs, and if he is in good health, there is a good chance that you are the happy owner of a little talker!

Good to know: the very particular meows of females in heat and males in rut are rather classified in the calls. They are not intended for us, even if we are subjected to them during the breeding season.

My cat meows all the time: what should I do?

First, you must ensure that he is not hungry or thirsty, that his bowls are clean, and that his bed is easily accessible.

If you have an indoor cat (but for others too), think of installing something to climb, run, jump, and play with (small balls, fishing rod toys, cat tree, etc.);

be attentive to his behavior; a cat with a health problem usually changes his behavior. Please do not hesitate to see a veterinarian to check if there is a problem;

when your cat meows to ask for attention, you must find the right balance between responding to its need for petting and not running and worrying at the slightest meow;

if your cat meows day and night, you can let him sleep at the foot of your bed if it calms him down, or install him in a room just for him with all his comforts and a small night light for the night.

Good to know: even if it is sometimes exhausting to live with a chatty cat, learn to let go and look on the bright side. You are lucky to have a little companion who is very attached to you! Use your imagination to develop some cool tricks that will allow you to relieve your ears a little and continue to care for your little feline.