Some house cats are real lovers of “chatting” with the owner. They can purr, purr softly, or even yelp, telling you about their mood and how they feel. It is important that the owner should learn to understand why the cat’s voice is heard, because sometimes there is a very good reason for this. As a rule, cats do not just make noises, there is always a reason for it.
The most common reason for meowing is a way to get attention or to ask for food. But sometimes it is a sign that the cat is not well, but such meowing is usually accompanied by other symptoms. If you suspect that cat meow is the cause of stress or even illness – try not to solve the problem yourself, but see a veterinarian.
Let’s go over the main reasons why cats can start meowing all the time.
A kitten meows incessantly
There is a pattern here – the younger the cat is, the more often it may meow for no reason. Kittens who are less than 12 weeks old feel lonely and defenseless without their mother, and so they meow much to express their discomfort. Not surprisingly, this can go on indefinitely. The owner in this case should try to understand what the baby wants. Most often it is hunger or discomfort in the tummy. Almost the same as with human babies!
Older kittens don’t meow as much anymore, but they will still communicate their owner’s needs through their voice. Remember that a kitten is under the protection and care of her mother cat until she is about 3 months old, so she is at her most vulnerable and meowing is healthy and normal behavior. And even after 3 months, the kitten may still be stressed about being in a new home for a while. It will take a long time for a kitten to get used to its new home and stop missing its relatives.
Why an adult cat meows
Adult cats usually meow in order to get attention, to ask for food or to greet their owners after a separation. Sometimes a cat just wants to chat with you, and you don’t need to look for an additional reason here. Sometimes a cat will meow and ask for your help. Cats meow when they want to mate, and threatening meowing usually means stress or aggression.
By meowing, your cat is asking for attention – affection or play. Don’t avoid interacting with your cat, because such meowing can escalate into an annoying howl. Encouraging cat chatter is also a dubious undertaking, because the howling may soon become a habit. Punishing a cat for meowing is not a solution to the problem; you may ruin the relationship with the cat forever.
Sometimes the constant meowing can be associated with stress, the main reasons for which are:
- moving to the new place
- separation from mom
- long trip
- doctor’s visit
- fright
- anger
If the reason for the cat’s screaming is hormonal problems (desire to mate), then the only proper solution here is to neuter and spay. This will not only bring peace of mind to you and your pet, but it will also prolong his life and save him from possible health problems in the future. As a rule, in addition to the screaming, hormonal causes are also indicated by changes in behavior? cats tag, cats roll on the floor, become very affectionate, crawl with their pelvis raised.
Cats that are fed in portions may meow after eating, asking for more. Check your cat’s diet.
Why cats meow at the door for no reason
It is impossible to say exactly why cats cannot tolerate closed doors. But there are several plausible versions of this behavior of pets.
- The desire to constantly control the territory of residence. Cats are big possessors. They protect personal space from strangers. Closed doors prevent the pet from keeping an eye on whether everything is in order. Especially when it comes to the part of the house that is hidden from view.
- Feeling of Anxiety. Cats are wary of things they can hear but can’t see or feel. What if there is some danger lurking behind a closed door?
- Need for companionship. Cats don’t like it when their owners shut them out. Left alone behind a closed door they will meow to attract attention.
- The desire to feel complete freedom. Representatives of the feline family are very freedom-loving, so they want nothing to prevent them from moving in space.
- Behind the dislike of closed doors often hides behavioral problems. For example, if a cat is accustomed to resting on the master’s bed, there are difficulties when trying to accustom it to sleep separately. Unhappy with this state of affairs, in most cases the cat will sit and scream under the door until it is opened.
It’s important to understand that dislike of locked doors goes straight from the cat’s instinct. So it does not make sense to scold a furry pet for this. But it happens that meowing near closed doors is due to physiological or psychological reasons.
In the first case, the cat may express anxiety caused by discomfort. Observe how the cat behaves during the day, in the evening and at night. Perhaps there is something bothering the cat and it is necessary to show him to the vet.
For example, it may be worth examining the cat if he sleeps with his forehead against the door. Such a posture can be quite harmless, but sometimes it indicates hidden diseases. Therefore, it is better not to take the risk, and once again consult a veterinarian.
Psychological problems are often related to stress. Stressful situations can be related to moving to a new place, visiting a veterinary clinic, medical interventions, etc.
When meowing is the cause of a health problem
If a cat is sick, it may let its owner know by making loud, high-pitched yelps. This is usually accompanied by symptoms of some disease, so you should immediately show your pet to the veterinarian.
Typically, such illnesses that are accompanied by meowing are:
- trouble going to the bathroom
- worms
- itching
- infection
- ageing
- postoperative period
