Why Do Cats Meow?

Cat language is based on a combination of postures, vocalizations, and olfactory cues. Usually, we don’t pay enough attention to their body language, and we are not able to perceive the different scents either, but there is something that is impossible for all of us to ignore: the meow. This is especially true if your cat meows at night or early in the morning.

Have you ever wondered why cats meow ? Take a look at the following Basic Guide for Owners and learn everything about feline meowing: why they do it, what it means and how you can manage it.

Did you know…? Cats meow at people, but not at other cats. Cat-to-cat communication includes other vocalizations, such as feline “howl,” hissing, and chirping.

Why do cats meow?

The evolution of the meow

There is no doubt that meowing is the most frequent feline vocalization. Although cats don’t usually meow during communication with other cats, they do meow continuously to communicate with humans.

According to experts, a kitten can meow to attract its mother’s attention and care when it feels hungry, cold or afraid, but this behavior will stop once it has grown. From then on, he will only meow to interact with his owner. Because? Simply put, meowing is a trick that works .

Some researchers have compared the vocalizations of the domestic cat to the vocalizations of its closest relative, the African wild cat. Interestingly, it has been observed that the sounds of the domestic cat, especially the meow, have evolved to be more pleasant to the human ear (higher pitched, less threatening).

It is known that people are sensitive to this type of vocalization, hence we are more likely to respond positively, for example, by providing attention. It is very similar to what happens when a baby cries.

Cats can learn to modify the characteristics of their meow, such as frequency or duration, so that people know exactly what they want.

It is worth mentioning that not all cats meow the same. The meow can vary depending on the breed, and even the cat in particular. Oriental breeds, especially Siamese cats, are notorious for meowing more than usual. In addition, there are cats that meow because they just like to listen to themselves.

But in a general sense, cats meow because they are trying to communicate or achieve something. The more experience a person has as a cat owner, the better their understanding of what the pet means with each meow.

How to interpret the meows of a cat?

Types and Meanings

Experts usually talk about 6 different types of meows, which vary in length, intonation, and volume. These are described as:

1. short meow
2. multiple meows
3. low-pitched meow
4. mid-tone meow
5. high-pitched meows
6. extended meow

What does each of them mean?

short meow

“Hello!”

This short, high-pitched meow is the most common of all. It means that your cat is greeting you.

Multiple meows directed at you.

“I feel happy because you are home”

It usually happens when the owner returns home after spending the day away, or when they haven’t seen each other in a long time. In this case, the cat meows to greet you and communicate that he is excited to see you .

Low-pitched meow.

“My bowl is empty”

The low meow type is associated with complaints. It is very likely that your cat is dissatisfied with something that you have not done, or that you have done wrong.

Mid-tone meow.

“Give me food” “Give me attention”

If a cat meows like this, it’s probably trying to communicate some kind of plea. For example, he may want you to serve him food or give him attention.

High-pitched meow.

“You stepped on my tail”

It means the cat is angry or in pain. A common example is having its tail accidentally stepped on.

Extended meow.

“Let me out now!”

When cats meow in an extended way for a while, it means that they are demanding or asking for something. The pet may be meowing for you to let him in or out.

Did you know…? Cats make sounds and vocalizations that are imperceptible to the human ear. In that case they can only be heard by other cats.

Reasons why a cat can meow

Cats meow for many reasons. This is a way of expressing different needs and emotions, from something as simple as a greeting to something serious like an illness.

Different sources agree that a cat can meow for the following reasons :

1. Say hello:

You can expect your cat to meow when you come home, when you are in the house, and when you talk to him.

2. Ask for attention:

Cats enjoy social contact with people, which is why they meow for attention. Some have been known to become quite vocal when it comes to attracting their owner. Your cat may want you to pet him, play with him, or just talk to him.

Cats that are left alone for long periods of time throughout the day are more likely to meow for attention.

3. Order food:

It is very common for cats to meow because they are hungry. Some may meow excessively when feeding time approaches. They even use the meow to wake up their owner if they have not yet been served breakfast.

4. Communicate pain or illness:

Excessive and unusual meowing can be an indicator that the cat is sick or injured. According to experts, there are numerous feline diseases that cause hunger, thirst, or pain, which in turn causes the pet to meow more than usual.

It is advisable to go to the vet as soon as possible if this cause is suspected.

5. Ask to be let in or out:

When a cat wants to go out, it shows it by meowing in front of the door. The same happens in case you want to enter. This behavior is most often seen if the person is trying to transition the cat to living exclusively indoors or outdoors.

In that case it is normal to have incessant meowing at doors and windows for several weeks.

6. Express a state of stress:

Stressed cats become more vocal than normal. Triggers such as the arrival of a new pet or baby, moving home, visits to the vet, and the loss of a loved one can cause a cat to meow in stress.

7. Find a partner:

Female cats in heat meow to announce that they are receptive to males, and male cats meow when they smell a female. This is especially true if the cat has not been neutered. This is one of the main causes of excessive feline meowing.

8. Communicate loneliness/anxiety:

Cats left alone for long periods of time can develop anxiety. Like a stressed cat, an anxious cat will start meowing more than normal .

9. Expressing disorientation and mental confusion (senior cats):

Your cat may develop a form of cognitive dysfunction or brain fog as it ages. When this happens, it is normal for the pet to feel disoriented, cry for no apparent reason and meow in a high pitch, especially at night.

Since cats can make a variety of vocalizations, your cat is likely to use different sounds at different times, and with distinctive meanings.

Paying attention to the context in which the cat meows, as well as the pitch and duration of the sound, can help you understand what is causing any meowing .

How to handle meowing in cats

How to reduce feline meowing? What to do to make my cat less vocal? The most important thing to succeed in this task is to determine the cause.

Before attempting to stop a cat from meowing, make sure you understand the circumstances surrounding it and what seems to work to stop it. Identify a pattern in their behavior, and depending on your findings, try one(s) of the following suggestions.

For example:

• If it’s obvious the cat is meowing for attention, show her that she’ll only get what she wants when she’s quiet. Resist the urge to talk to him or give him any kind of attention. Be patient and wait for a moment of silence; only then should you give him the attention he craves. If he starts meowing again, walk away and come back when he’s quiet. Doing this consistently can help control his meowing.
• If the cat spends a lot of time alone and is meowing as a sign of loneliness, consider seeking the services of a pet sitter, ask someone you trust to come over to play with it for a while, or look for other alternatives to entertain and enrich the life of the pet.
• If your cat got used to meowing for you to give him food or treats, you should teach him that you will only feed him at set times. The pet must learn that meowing doesn’t work. If you are not successful, then it may be a good idea to purchase an automatic feeder so that you can program it to open at specific times during the day.

Note. Unless your vet recommends it, he avoids the constant administration of food. Remember that overfeeding can put your pet at risk of obesity and other related diseases.

• When the cat meows to be let in or out, installing a cat door may be the solution.
• On the other hand, the best way to control the excessive meowing of a cat in heat is to proceed to sterilize it.

If the cat seems to meow just to say hello, there’s not much you can do about it. This feline behavior is difficult to eradicate.

What not to do

• Never ignore a meowing cat without first making sure there is no problem. Sometimes the meowing has a good reason, for example the cat can’t reach its litter box, the water bowl is empty, or it has become trapped in a room. Pay attention to determine if it is a meow that you can safely ignore, or if your cat may actually need help.
• It is not advisable to punish a cat for meowing. Hitting, yelling, and spraying with water rarely work to calm a vocal cat. On the contrary, these actions can cause the pet to feel distrust and rejection towards its owner.
• If a cat is used to getting what it wants by meowing, it is very likely that it will meow louder and louder when this stops working. Always make sure to ignore this type of vicious meow and only reward calm behavior.

Cats FAQ

Why do cats meow at night?

Cats are well known for being nocturnal creatures, which is why they are commonly heard meowing at night. This behavior can become extremely annoying to some owners, especially when the nocturnal meowing interferes with sleep.

While some cats may meow at night for no apparent reason, others do so to communicate discomfort, reproductive interest, or illness.

In summary, these are the most common causes for which a cat may meow at night or in the early morning :

• twilight habit
• Boredom
• Disease
• Aging
• heat period

For starters, cats are naturally more active at certain times of the night, especially at twilight times (dusk and dawn). His instincts indicate that night is a good time to hunt. It is worth mentioning that the tendency to meow at night is more frequent in young cats ; apparently this behavior diminishes once they reach maturity.

At other times, this may just be a symptom of boredom or a lack of stimulation. Your cat may meow at night if she hasn’t had enough activity during the day. Consider that active play before bedtime can help drain energy from him and prevent him from meowing later to get your attention.

Likewise, there is a possibility that a cat will not stop meowing at night because it is sick. Conditions such as kidney disease, an overactive thyroid, and cognitive dysfunction syndrome in older cats can lead to excessive nocturnal vocalizing behavior. In that case it is always advisable to consult the vet.

Another cause of loud and constant meowing at night is heat. Both unspayed male and female cats go through this natural phase, where they use different vocalizations and scents to attract a potential mate.

Lastly, does your cat spend all day outside but stay inside at night? There is a high probability that he meows because he feels imprisoned or trapped.

What to do to stop a cat from meowing at night?

The meowing of cats at night can be avoided or reduced by putting the following measures into practice:

1. Ensure that the cat is involved in different activities during the day. A tired cat is a calmer cat.
2. Provide a late night meal. Keeping him fed can be a good idea to control meowing.
3. Whenever it’s safe, install a cat flap, so he can get out and spend his energy outside.
4. Sterilize the pet.
5. Go to the vet if you suspect any injury or disease that must be treated.

What happens when a cat meows non-stop?

What Causes Excessive Meowing?

First of all, it is worth mentioning that there is no strict definition for excessive meowing in cats. What is considered “excessive” depends on an individual’s tolerance level, which can be influenced by many factors, including previous experience with other cats, the type of vocalization, the time of day, and the apparent cause of the meowing.

For example, a cat meowing loudly for breakfast may be more tolerable than the same cat meowing non-stop in the middle of the night for no apparent reason.

With that being said, the top 7 causes of constant meowing in cats are:

1. attention seeking
2. the heat
3. Hunger
4. pain and disease
5. Mental confusion caused by aging
6. Stress
7. anxiety or frustration

What are the breeds of cats that meow the least?

Although all cats meow to communicate different needs and emotions, there are some breeds that are less prone to meowing than others.

These are 11 of the cat breeds that meow the least (less vocal):

1. abyssinian cat
2. american shorthair
3. american curl
4. bengal cat
5. burmese cat
6. british shorthair
7. Cornish rex
8. Persian cat
9. russian blue
10. Norwegian Forest Cat

Why do cats meow like babies?

As a species, domestic cats have evolved to create vocalizations that allow them to capture their owners’ attention. Cats have been observed to use a meow similar to crying babies precisely because humans are more likely to respond to this sound.

As the researchers explain, feral cats rarely meow, since they are not socialized or dependent on humans.

It is said that the feline meow has a frequency equal to or very similar to that of babies. When the cat can’t get the owner’s attention or simply doesn’t get what he wants, then he can start to emit this type of vocalization.

Although they can do this at any time of the day, you are more likely to hear your cat meow like a baby at night.

Why do Siamese cats meow a lot?

The Siamese cat is one of the most vocal cat breeds out there. This is a very social cat, requiring a lot of attention from its owner. Precisely, the excessive meowing has to do with this trait of his personality. They are known to meow a lot when they don’t get the interaction they need.

Siamese twins are emotionally expressive, playful, intelligent, and affectionate. In fact, they can become depressed and neurotic if they do not receive human attention. Most likely, they meow too much as a result of that general tendency towards high sociability.

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