Cat meowing is a sophisticated way your kitty speaks to you. Sometimes cats meow just to say hello and grab your attention, while other times they may use their voice to tell you what they want. When your cat is hungry, wants fresh water or dreams about going out, they can approach you with their tail up, look deeply in your eyes and start yowling. They can also meow to tell you that they are happy, sad, upset or experiencing other positive or negative emotions. It is your task to decipher what they mean.
Why do cats meow at humans?
Cats are very intelligent animals who, over the centuries, have learned how to get a human’s attention and which strings to pull to get what they want. Cats use meowing mostly in communication with people. This kind of vocalization can be used by them to express different feelings, emotions, desires, and fears. Examples? A short meow can be a great way to say hello. When your cat feels thrilled, they can use their voice to tell you how grateful they are. Excessive meowing can, in turn, be the expression of a complaint or sorrow that your poor cat wants to convey.
As you can see, cats can meow in a number of different situations to express needs and give you a quick update on how they feel. Sometimes meowing can be, however, caused by some stress-related factors and, therefore, all unusual cat sounds shouldn’t be brushed over. Your cat can be exposed to some nerve-wracking experiences, and you may not even know about it. Meowing is sometimes the only way they can express this to you. Thus, you should never ignore your little friend’s suspicious behavior.
Reasons why your cat may meow
You may be thinking that your cat sometimes meows for no reason. It is not true, as cat sounds always mean something. Check out the primary causes of why cats meow so much.
They want your company
Even though they are usually considered solitary, cats adore spending time with humans and other animals. When they are left alone for too long, they can get lonely. This is why cats, who spend long hours at home with no one around, are more likely to meow for attention.
They want to eat
Many cats tend to meow excessively around feeding time. They use their vocalization skills to remind you that the feeding time is approaching, and you should give them their food. Some cats are also likely to yowl each time you enter the kitchen. This is their way of begging you for a snack.
They are saying hi
Have you heard that cats can say hello? A quick meow in the morning or in the middle of the day can mean that your little friend is trying to say hi to you. This might happen when they enter the room you are spending time in, or right after you come back home.
They are stressed or frightened
Despite their strong character, most kitties are vulnerable and sensitive. Even small changes to their environment may alter a typical cat behavior and have a negative impact on their mental health. If you feel that they are tense, do your best to help your cat feel secure.
They feel bad
Cats communicate to people that they feel sick by meowing. There are several diseases that can make your cat be more vocal. When your cat is in pain, they expect you to take care of them. Thus, if you see that your buddy meows louder than ever, don’t tell them to stop – be there for them and try to find the source of their behavior.
They are old
Many senior cats suffer from cognitive dysfunctions that make it difficult for them to control their behavior. If your older cat often meows for no reason, this can mean that their nervous system is damaged and doesn’t function as it should. A feline with cognitive impairment can usually be disoriented. Excessive yowling at night or walking around the apartment with no apparent purpose is one of the most common symptoms.
They are still small
Although it is said that a cat’s meow is used only in cat-to-human interactions, this is not entirely true. Kittens meow to communicate with their mothers and tell them they are hungry or feel bad, and their mothers meow back. If your cat is still a child, they can meow at you the same way as they did to their mother.
It’s breeding season
Adult cats are usually more expressive during mating season. If your feline is not neutered, they may meow to communicate with other cats. This concerns mostly female cats in heat and male cats who smell them. All you need to do in order to solve the problem of meowing when cats breed is to get your cat spayed.
They don’t want to sleep
Domestic cats follow their own daily routine. Although they usually accompany us throughout the day, they are also, unlike people, active at dawn and dusk. This explains why many of them meow a lot at certain hours of the night.
My cat meows a lot. What can I do?
Just like people, all cats differ one from another. While some of them are rather quiet, others can get extremely vocal. The worst thing you can do is to tell them to calm down instead of trying to understand them. As a cat parent, you should always check if your cat is not in need of something. Perhaps they are in pain, they smelled another cat outside, or their litter box is dirty? Sometimes finding the reason for their yowling, and eliminating it, can help you to quiet them down. If your vocal cat drives you crazy, never ever yell at them. Screaming at your pet can get them nervous and create some additional problems such as fears or distrust. Remember to always keep your emotions on a leash while your cat is around.
Despite the fact that sounds cats make can be sometimes irritating, it is a natural way of communication for them. Their meowing always has a meaning. This is why you should always attempt to understand what your cat is trying to say.
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