The reasons for meowing change as kittens become cats. Kittens meow to their mother when they are hungry, cold or scared.
But as cats get older, they use their other vocal abilities, such as howls, hisses and growls, to communicate with each other. Meowing is also intended for their communication with people.
Of course, the amount of meowing depends largely on the breed and even the personality of the cat itself. Oriental breeds, especially Siamese cats, are known as "talkers," so anyone who doesn't like meowing cats should stay away from these breeds.
Some felines simply enjoy hearing their own voices, while others want to continue the conversation with their owners.
If your cat meows a lot more than you would like, first try to find out the reason. Once you know the reason, you can work on getting your cat to meow less.
Searching for your attention
Contrary to what some people think, cats don't really like being alone. Cats often meow to initiate play, pet them, or encourage you to talk to them. If you want to avoid meowing for attention, stop responding when it happens.
Pay attention to the cat only when it is silent. If she starts meowing again, look or walk away.
But don't ignore your pet all the time. Spend time with your cat every day, playing, grooming, and talking to it. A tired pet is a calmer pet.
Cat behavior, problems and causes
Among the pets there are both silent and talkative ones. Some of them isolate themselves with their problem and lie quietly in a corner, while the owner puzzles over what could have happened. And others loudly report an uncomfortable state, however, this situation also drives people crazy.
The main thing is to know that a cat screams for a reason. It is important to detect it and help your pet cope with it. Even if it’s just a whim, you need to evaluate why she’s capricious and show maximum attention.
© shutterstock
What not to do
Don't ignore your cat's meowing without making sure there is no problem.
While you don't want to encourage meowing, sometimes cats meow for a good reason - they can't reach their litter box, they're locked in a room, the water bowl is empty. Check them when they meow to determine if it is something that can be ignored or a problem that needs to be corrected right away.
Don't punish your cat for meowing.
Hitting, yelling, and spraying cats with water will rarely help calm a meowing cat in the long run, but all of these actions will make her distrust or even dislike you.
Do not give up.
If your cat is used to getting what they need from meowing, they will meow more and louder when it stops working. In other words, it will likely get worse before it gets better. Just keep rewarding calm behavior and ignoring the meows, and eventually they'll get the idea.
Why do kittens scream?
It is difficult for small children to explain what they want, and all demands result in screaming and crying. The same thing happens in the world of cats. Kittens express their feelings by meowing. There may be no reason for this, but most often there are several reasons why a little murka screams. Note that as long as the kittens are close to the mother cat, they are calm . Problems may arise after moving to another family.
- First of all, there is hunger. Kittens grow and develop quite quickly and their bodies require nutrition. It has been noticed that kittens are constantly hungry. Therefore, it is necessary to leave a sufficient amount of food in the bowl and place it in a permanent place so that the baby learns to eat there. Another important point is to always have a bowl of clean water. It should never be empty.
- The second reason for a cat’s cry is a change of environment. Adaptation is a mandatory stage after a kitten arrives in a new home. Even an adult needs to get used to a new place. Everything around is unfamiliar: the atmosphere, the smells. Show more attention to your pet during this period and soon he will stop screaming. Young kittens get used to it faster than adults.
- A kitten may scream, simply asking for attention and affection. Take him in your arms, sit him on your lap and stroke his back. He will calm down and his mood will improve. If he keeps you from sleeping with his screams, then this may be a simple whim; let him go to bed with you and you will sleep peacefully. The kitten can be awakened by hunger. Leave some food in the bowl in the evening.
- The kitten may get scared and scream if it is trapped. Curiosity often leads him to the most secluded places, for example, to a sofa, a duvet cover, or a dark corner. Help him get out and calm him down by picking him up, petting him and talking gently. Believe me, he will understand you.
© shutterstock
Why do adult cats scream?
Don't think that your cat is yelling for no reason. It definitely exists and there can be quite a lot of reasons for restless behavior. Of these, the most common ones can be identified.
Lack of attention is the most common reason when a furry lady meows constantly and follows her owner around. Most often, this situation arises if another pet appears in the house. That's when she perceives him as a competitor. Moreover, the owners themselves begin to devote a lot of time and care to the new one, slightly relegating Murka, who was always alone and received all the affection individually, to the background. Over time, this may pass, but don’t forget about it, pay attention too. If she is the only pet in the house and the cat screams at night, then there is no need to indulge these demands.
Buy her a cozy soft house or arrange a seat in an armchair and she will probably understand that you don’t want to play at all in the dark. This is the only way to stop a cat from yelling at night.
With the onset of heat, the cat may scream for the cat. The cat's body is designed in such a way that estrus can happen at any time of the year and the mating instinct cannot be extinguished. There are, however, special supplements that can be bought at a veterinary pharmacy. They will be a good option if the animal is domestic, and you do not want to regularly invite the cat to her, and then mess with the offspring.
And the last reason that a cat yells lies in its upbringing . But here only the owners are to blame, who indulged all the whims of the fluffy beauty. It has been noticed that often the cause of screaming can be a transition to a different diet. There are specimens that completely refuse new food, scream, but starve. Here the breeders themselves are late with education, they will have to give in. It is impossible to change an adult cat.
What can you do about this?
Unfortunately, there is little we can do to stop your senior cat from yelling.
When their health deteriorates too much, you may have to live with it. It will be difficult for a while, but this is something every cat owner has to go through.
It is best to contact a veterinarian. They will examine your senior cat and try to find the source of the excessive meowing. I hope there is still hope for your cat and that the howling can be dealt with.
© shutterstock
Hormones
The reason for the round-the-clock singing may well be hormones. And in particular, their imbalance or simple changes in the body.
As the kitten grows older, it begins to show a desire to continue the race. Such changes in the body are often accompanied by endless screams that do not stop day or night. In addition to exhausting its own body, the cat also exhausts the household, so the decision must be made quickly and firmly.
If the pet will participate in procreation in the future, then the first urge to find love will have to be endured. When the baby gets stronger for the “wedding”, he can find a couple.
If procreation is not your cat’s business, it is advisable to resort to castration. This radical method will help your pet avoid monthly songs, and will also prolong his life.
What can your veterinarian do?
They will carefully examine your senior cat and determine the source of the howling. If there is a disease or illness, they may prescribe medications for the illness.
These medications can eliminate symptoms while the disease never goes away. Hyperthyroidism can be treated with medications.
In some cases, your cat may have to undergo a long period of treatment. One might consider surgery where there is still hope. I hope you can add a few happy years to your cat's life.
Estrus
Animals make loud noises during periods of active sexual desire. This is typical for both males and females. Experienced owners are well aware of this state of their pet. However, if estrus occurs for the first time, then the owners often do not understand what is happening to the growing kitten. They are interested in the question: “Why does a cat meow loudly for no reason?” Owners feel that their pet is still too small.
However, kittens enter puberty at the age of 6 - 8 months. The following signs indicate that a cat has entered her first heat:
- rolling on the floor;
- loud meowing and purring;
- raising the back of the body and trampling with paws;
- friction of the body against various objects.
What to do in this case? After all, a cat's heat can last up to two weeks, and the owner is often irritated by the constant cries of the animal, especially at night. If you do not plan to breed your cat, then it is better to sterilize your pet. Special medications for estrus should not be given; they can be dangerous to the health of the animal.
Why does a cat meow for no reason near the door? This behavior is usually characteristic of animals during the period of estrus. At this time, animals actively ask to go outside. However, other reasons are also possible. Cats are very curious. They are interested in the world around them outside the home and may beg for walks. However, experienced owners and veterinarians do not recommend letting cats out of the apartment. On the street, a pet can face many dangers; in addition, a pet can get an infection from stray relatives.
Old cat screams
Cats live much shorter than humans and inevitably reach an age when they are considered elderly. Everyone knows how people's character changes with age, and the same thing happens in the cat world. There comes a time when an old cat constantly screams, and the owners begin to panic. Let's understand this behavior.
Most often, an older individual meows from a feeling of loneliness, which worsens just in advanced years. Hormonal levels change, increasing feelings such as melancholy, despondency, the feeling that nothing around is pleasing, and both physical and emotional tone decreases. Right now the pet needs more attention, she demands it with her voice . Accept that you will have to forget about good nights.
© shutterstock
An older cat becomes less independent and increasingly requires you to make decisions for her. She screams and makes it clear that she doesn't know if she wants to play. Try to occupy her with her favorite toy; if she doesn’t respond, then calm her down with affection.
It happens that she yells out of spite, manipulating you. By meowing she calls her owners, expecting that someone will definitely come and fulfill her wishes.
Hunger
A hungry cat makes sounds that sound like a baby crying. In this case, eliminating the cause of this behavior is quite easy; you just need to feed the animal. Often kittens cry due to malnutrition. They often feel hungry because their growing bodies require nutrients. Owners need to learn the rules for creating a cat menu and feed their pet on time. Sometimes owners mistakenly believe that they are giving the animal enough food.
However, there are times when a cat has just eaten, but runs around the table with human food and screams. “Why does the cat meow for no reason?” — this is the question the animal owners ask. This can be explained by the fact that pets are very gluttonous. Cats may beg for food when they smell delicious smells. In this case, you should not follow the animal’s lead. The pet should be taught to eat at strictly defined hours.
Cats often meow when their owners frequently change the types of food they eat. After all, the pet’s body gets used to certain foods. It is especially undesirable to alternate the intake of dry ready-made food and food from the human table. This can lead to digestive problems.