Is your peaceful home frequently pierced by the insistent cries of your kitten, leaving you wondering, “Why is my kitten meowing non stop?”
A kitten's meow is their way of communicating, from expressing needs like hunger to conveying feelings of fear or discomfort. Kittens, like adult cats, have a rich vocabulary of vocalizations, but when kittens meow incessantly, it can signal something more than a simple desire for attention.
Understanding the nuances of your kitten's language is crucial for maintaining a healthy, harmonious relationship with your feline companion.
In this article, we will help decode the mystery behind your kitten's persistent meowing, offering potential reasons and effective solutions, allowing you to address your kitten's needs and restore tranquility in your home.
What is Considered Excessive Vocalization?
Defining excessive vocalization can be subjective, as it largely depends on an individual's tolerance, which can be influenced by their familiarity with cats, the nature of the vocalization, and its timing.
For instance, you might find your cat's morning calls for breakfast acceptable, but the night cries of a stray cat outside your window could be deemed excessive. Essentially, “excessive” vocalization varies based on personal interpretation, context, and perceived cause of the cat's vocal sounds.
Why Is My Kitten Meowing Non Stop?
Just like with any concerns, one must identify the root cause for a solution to be enacted. So, as a worried cat parent, understanding the reason for your cat meowing non-stop will help you calm her down, and get her to stop vocalizing excessively.
Below are 13 common reasons why kittens or adult cats meow non-stop:
1. Your Cat is Greeting You
Your feline companion might simply be voicing a friendly “hi.”
It’s normal for us pet parents to be out more than usual sometimes. So, if you've been out and about, don't be surprised to find your fur baby eagerly waiting at the door to welcome you back home with a gentle meow. They might also extend this warm reception to unfamiliar guests.
This salutation might be prolonged and is likely that your cat’s meow is just her way of expressing her fondness for you and acknowledging your absence.
2. Your Cat is Sad
While cats are typically viewed as solitary creatures, they can indeed experience feelings of loneliness. Your feline friend may express feelings of loneliness by meowing excessively, even when you're at home but aren't directly engaging with them.
So, as a loving cat parent, you should consider devoting some time to your cat, grooming, snuggling, or chatting with them for 20-minute intervals twice a day. By doing these simple things, and by spending a couple of minutes of uninterrupted time with your cat every day, you might observe a reduction in their vocalizations.
3. Your Cat is Feeling Stressed or Anxious
Cat nervousness may be indicated by an increase in cat meow or vocalization. Your cat may become stressed out as a result of a variety of situations, including meeting new people, losing loved ones (human or animal), and being around loud noises. Your cat may also become stressed if you make even small changes to her environment, such as closing previously open doors.
4. Your Cat Meows to Grab Your Attention
Your cat may come up to you, brush up against your leg, and meow or purr to let you know they want some attention.
Your cat could still want your attention after you've been present and talking to them, which makes this different from being lonely. They might only want to participate in things with you, like watching the outside world outside a window or playing with you.
Cats enjoy interacting with their human family members. Hence, it's important for us to show our appreciation for their love by giving them the attention they crave. Cats enjoy interacting with people, and some of them may be extremely noisy in requesting attention.
5. Your Cat is Bored
In cats, boredom can result in disruptive behavior, much as it can in young children, as any parent of a young child can attest. Your cat may display signs of restlessness and look for ways to pass the time, especially if he is the only feline in your house.
Remember that while cats are remarkably independent, they still need stimulation in their surroundings—both mentally and physically.
6. He Wants Some Space
Your cat's constant meowing may be an indication that she needs some alone time. Even the most affectionate cats sometimes need their own space. Because of this, if your cat keeps meowing while you're cuddling or holding them, it can be their way of saying, “Please, I need some alone time.”
7. Your Cat is Hungry or Thirsty
Your cat meowing consistently may be an indication of hunger or thirst. Always be sure to check the status of their food and water. Are they able to access food and water, and if so, are they consuming it?
If your cat brushes up against your leg as you pass its bowl, it's probably time for a refill. However, there are a number of explanations that could apply if your cat is disregarding their food and water.
Your cat might simply not like her food, or he might have a health issue that makes him less hungry. To rule out any potential health concerns in such circumstances, it is advisable to speak with your veterinarian.
If you notice your cat avoiding her water bowl, it can also be that he is thirsty but he is experiencing “whisker fatigue.” Cats are very sensitive and mainly rely on their whiskers to help them navigate their surroundings.
They might avoid drinking, even when they are thirsty if they frequently come into contact with the bowl's edges since it will irritate their whiskers.
8. He Wants to Go In or Out
Your cat's incessant meowing might signal their desire to go outdoors or come back inside. Meowing serves as their primary communication tool. If transitioning your cat from an indoor-outdoor lifestyle to being exclusively indoors, expect a period of continuous meowing near doors or windows, which can persist for weeks or even months.
9. He is Feeling Sick
Continuous meowing may indicate an underlying medical condition or stress. Numerous illnesses can make your cat feel hungry, thirsty, or in pain, leading to excessive meowing. Common examples include kidney disease and Hyperthyroidism.
Adult cats meowing excessively, particularly at night can also be due to Hyperthyroidism, a condition that is frequently seen in cats over 8 years. If you can't determine the cause of your cat's meowing, or if they seem unwell, consult your veterinarian to rule out any potential health issues.
10. Your Cat is Getting Old
Similar to Alzheimer's disease in humans, cognitive dysfunction or mental disorientation can develop in old cats.
Disorientation from this may result in more frequent and loud meowing, especially in the middle of the night. Excessive meowing may also be caused by cat dementia, a type of cognitive failure that frequently affects senior cats.
Senior cats with dementia may experience confusion and anxiety, which disturbs their sleep patterns and causes nocturnal meowing. These cats might benefit from extra attention and nightlights.
11. Your Cat Wants to Mate
If your cat hasn't been spayed or neutered, excessive meowing, particularly at night, may indicate that it wants to mate. Female cats make a distinctive yowling meow while they are in heat; this behavior stops after spaying. In addition, male cats will vocalize loudly when they sense a female cat in heat.
Once the cat has been neutered or spayed, this behavior normally becomes less extreme and is completely normal. Notably, “fixing” your cat offers numerous health advantages and helps to reduce the number of pets on the streets.
12. Your Cat is Losing Her Hearing or Vision
Continuous meowing from your cat, especially if it's elderly, may be a sign of failing eyesight or hearing. Cats may become more talkative as they get older as a result of navigational difficulties, especially at night.
If you have any suspicions about this, it is best to have a veterinarian examine your pet's vision and hearing. In order to calm and reassure your senior cat, think about leaving nightlights on and staying nearby.
13. Your Cat is a Chatty Breed
If the above factors aren't relevant, your cat may simply belong to a talkative breed. Some breeds, including Siamese, Singapura, Tonkinese and Siberian, are known for being particularly vocal. This natural trait is ingrained in their breed characteristics, making it hard to curb their chattiness.
How to Stop Your Cat from Meowing Excessively?
Cats who meow excessively should be treated with care because their needs must be recognized and met. You can’t expect your cat to stop meowing if you haven’t addressed her concerns.
Hence, make sure your cat has enough fun and excitement if they are merely looking for attention or are bored. You should also provide your cat with a selection of toys and puzzles to play with. If loneliness is a problem, spend time with them, giving them cuddles and having a quiet chat.
Make sure their food bowls and water bowls are never empty and that their nutritional requirements are met. Consider building a protected indoor-outdoor space if they want to spend time outside.
Also, if she’s meowing and you notice that her litter box is dirty, your cat may be trying to get your attention to clean her toilet for her. So, it’s important to regularly clean the litter box, especially before bedtime, to create a hygienic and inviting space for your cat to answer nature's call.
To rule out health problems or sensory loss, a trip to the doctor is essential if your cat is elderly or displaying indications of distress. Meows from your cat that are related to its health or mating can be avoided with regular checkups and, if necessary, have your cat spayed or neutered.
Verdict
When you consider the different reasons why cats meow excessively, you can see how important it is to pay attention to what your furry friend is saying and figure out what she means. Their constant meowing frequently denotes a need for comfort, attention, or a reaction to stress or loneliness.
However, it could also indicate underlying medical problems or pain that require attention from a veterinarian. It's important to respond to your cat's vocalizations with empathy, compassion, and prompt action while also keeping equilibrium to prevent overindulgence.
Your cat's behavior can be greatly influenced by a little sensitive love and care, which will lessen the cat's constant meowing and provide a calmer living space.
