Why Does My Cat Meow So Much?

According to her owner, Haley Bounds, when Turtle (a four-year-old polydactyl) finds her water dish empty; “She meows loudly at me, alerting me that she needs a refill.” Haley shares. “Once it’s full, she drinks and her meowing at me stops.” Haley says.

Another cat (a Tortie) also called Turtle is a talker. Her owner, Cheryl Deck says that sometimes it’s too much. She explains;

“Turtle is very articulate. And she is very opinionated. She chirps and chatters all the time. I refer to this as "giving me the business" conversation. She wrinkles up her nose and sticks her tongue out when she's doing this. She loves it when I'm on the phone or have company. She just walks into the room and starts expressing her opinion on things. Does Rosetta Stone offer a program for this language?”

In his book Catwatching Desmond Morris identifies six individual vocal sounds that cats make:

• I am hungry
• I am angry
• I am frightened
• I am in pain
• I want attention
• Come with me, I am inoffensive

There exists between cats and their owners a whole world of communication occurring daily; leaving some cat-owners wondering, “Why is my cat meowing?”

Cat communication:

• Meowing and other vocalizations
• Body language
• Scent; kneading, head bumping and scratching objects

The Oriental breeds are famous for being “Talkers.” Their meow is comparable to the cry of a newborn baby. Milo, a rescued Siamese- mix meowed constantly. His caretaker, Anna couldn’t get him to stop. All she tried; food bribes, playtime, vet visits fell flat. “I even took him for car rides,” she explained. “Didn’t matter, he was just a talker.” Then she admitted ruefully, “I was glad when I found him a loving home!”

Anna is not alone in her frustration. Many a cat owner dealing with their cat meowing constantly, loudly interrupting work and and meowing all night are left with broken sleep patterns and wondering why their cat meows so much.

Why does my cat meow?

First, listen to how he is meowing. Look at the situation to determine why he is meowing, i.e. Cats in heat will meow and trill. They will back up to the wall with their tail all a-flutter and sing their love-song to the skies. Toms hearing this love song will come running to your home spraying the outside walls in “answer” to the love prisoner inside. 

Other sounds cats make:

• Silent meowing-usually referred to as the “begging command.”
• Trilling-done as a greeting and also when a cat is in heat.
• Chattering-generally heard when the cat is watching prey.
• Growling- a defensive sound. A warning to stay out of Dodge.
• Snarling-heard during combat or right before two cats tangle.
• Hissing- a defensive sound meaning “BACK away!”
• Spitting- defensive and heard right before cats lock in battle.
• Purring-the close-mouthed sound, the first sound a kitten hears when mom invites him up to her milk bar.
• Chirping-heard during mating
• Murmuring-this is lower than a chirp used as a greeting

Cats will meow when they are distressed, scared, hungry, saying hello, in pain, or warning you of danger. If your cat suddenly starts meowing too much, a vet visit would be advisable.

If your cat is a meower:

• Rule out health issues first.
• If she is in heat, get her spayed. If he isn’t neutered, get him neutered.
• Wait it out. Be patient if he is a new kid on the block, he just needs time to make adjustments
• Soothe with music (harp music works wonders)
• Join in on the conversation
• Remove the “triggers”
• Distract with playtime or food.
• Ignore him when he meows and when he is quiet, pay attention to him, feed him treats etc…
• Wear earplugs

Remember your cat is a living, breathing creature not a statue on your hallway table. He may be excited to see you, hungry, or warning you that there is a spider in the kitchen! Although Prozac is the designer drug of the 90’s, if your vet suggests you use this drug do so with caution. It is extremely bitter and your cat could be pawing at his mouth, drooling like Niagara Falls, or running in fear every time you approach. If while taking Prozac your kitty experiences difficulty breathing, develops swelling of the face or a strange rash on his skin, discontinue use immediately and call your vet ASAP.

Stop and smell the catnip. Have a conversation with your “talker” daily. Who knows, maybe along the way, you will discover Your Inner Purr.