| The most common reason for cat meowing is for | | | | A question that comes up often is: why does my |
| attention. You know it's true, that cat always | | | | cat meow all night or when I go to sleep? Think |
| wants something from you. It could be because | | | | of it this way: Do you know someone who really |
| your cat is hungry. Or even if it isn't necessarily | | | | likes to hear the sound of their own voice (we all |
| hungry, it could just want more food (what else is | | | | know someone, and if you don't - that someone |
| there to do right?). | | | | is you). |
| Actually, that's the number 1 reason for cat | | | | Your cat doesn't necessary like to hear its own |
| obesity (or why cats get fat) - when owners | | | | meow, but if it knows that the meow is |
| respond to the cats meowing by giving it food! | | | | rewarded with some sort of attention that is |
| But maybe your cat isn't hungry, maybe it wants | | | | pleasurable, then they will certainly look to fill any |
| attention in some other way. If the meowing is | | | | lack of sound with their own noise - that why |
| excessive, it could be due to hormonal problems, | | | | they know they are being heard. So why do cats |
| such as a disease. If your cat seems sick and is | | | | meow in the middle of the night - because they |
| meows often, or if the meows sound painful - | | | | NEED that attention or are demanding something, |
| see your vet immediately. | | | | and a cat meowing at night is a cat that can't be |
| More likely though, your cat wants your attention. | | | | ignored. |
| As you might know, cats are known to be | | | | *But that's what you will have to do if you want |
| "prissy", or "high-maintenance" - which means they | | | | your cat to stop meowing* |
| NEED that attention! It could be that your cat is | | | | They are a relatively smart species, and will learn |
| demanding something of you... let's think about it, | | | | to not waste their energy if their actions are not |
| why do cats meow a lot? | | | | rewarding. |
| - Maybe it wants to be pet - who doesn't like a | | | | *Please understand: even when everyone in your |
| head rub? | | | | household is working together to ignore the |
| - Is the litter box dirty? - yes, they will vocalize | | | | meowing, the cat will try harder at first* |
| the fact that you should clean their litter tray! | | | | It will do it louder and more often - and if you |
| - Demanding something specific: I found that my | | | | reward it then... like I said, cats are smart - they |
| cat was meowing because he wanted wet food. | | | | will learn to meow louder than you want! |
| If I don't respond, he will go downstairs and eat | | | | *Another hint: if you have to respond - do so by |
| his dry food without a fuss. But he had learned | | | | playing a game*... or doing something active with |
| that if he meows loud enough, cute enough, or | | | | your cat. That way, at least it is getting exercise |
| just enough, he might get some wet food. | | | | and using its energy - and it could break the |
| intentionally | | | | association of its meowing with whatever it was |
| So how do you control cat meowing? The most | | | | vocalizing for in the first place! |
| common, simple, and best advice is to ignore it. | | | | Now if you have an old cat that is meowing - or |
| *Make sure everyone in the house, including any | | | | if your elder cat is eating and drinking more (that |
| guests, know that you are intentionally ignoring | | | | is, you find yourself filling the bowls more often), |
| the cat to fix his unwanted behavioral trait | | | | then seek your vet for advice. |
| problem.* | | | | |