Some cats are all mouths—meow, meow, meow. Do they sometimes get sick from it? Well, if they did, they’d probably stop, right? After all, doesn’t everyone get tired of hearing themselves after a while?
Your cat getting tired of meowing depends a lot on how much they meow and why they meow. Some cats barely vocalize, while others are quite talkative. With those Chatty Cathys, you might be sick, but they don’t really seem to be, right? Let’s learn more about kitten behaviors!
Cats and Their Meows
Many kittens talk about one thing or another—whether it’s when they’re hungry or want extra attention. They use it as a means of communication with their people—and maybe it’s because we talk all the time!
Not all cats make it! They have a series of different vocalizations that match their mood: growling, chirping, hissing, howling—you name it. Each has its own special meaning. So, it’s safe to say that if a cat gets sick of meowing, they have tons of vocal exercises to try instead!
Is the Cat getting tired of meowing?
Cats can get really bored with meowing, especially if they’re just meowing to get attention from you. They can completely lose interest in whatever they are swearing at.
However, some cats may purr longer in an attempt to force you to pay attention to them. How quickly a cat gets tired of meowing depends on the individual cat and the reason they are meowing.
Let’s look at some reasons why cats meow so you can better understand your cat and give them the attention and care they want, as well as if their meowing may be more urgent.
Why Do Cats Scream?
Cats can basically meow for any reason they want. Usually, it’s to start playing or start a relationship. They may also be talking to other animals in the house or begging you to save them from crazy kids running around. Here are some in-depth details!
1. Greeting
Cats meow when greeting someone. It’s their own kitty way of saying, “Hello. How are you today? Please pet my back.” They hear you call them by name, talk to them, and make different noises—they naturally want to return the greetings.
2. Communication
Our cats may not communicate with us the way we wish, but they can tell us a lot through verbal cues and body language alone. They can show different emotions, wants, or needs by meowing.
3. Attention seeking
If the meowing is accompanied by rubbing, burping, climbing, and kneading you, they may want your attention right away!
4. Want Food
We all know that cats are very deep pits! If you leave the food bowl empty, you’ve made a mistake—and you’re going to hear about it! Sometimes, people need to control their cat’s food intake to make sure they don’t overeat.
Other cats are good at eating at their leisure with a constant flow of food sources. They have no problem with portion control and can trust an endless buffet—but most kittens will take full advantage and eat, eat, eat!
5. Integration
If your cat is in heat or looking for a mate, meowing (along with a few other otherworldly sounds) can happen, and it can happen often! A cat in heat can be one of the most mind-numbing, nails-across-a-chalkboard experiences.
To prevent all behavioral problems in both males and females, getting your cat neutered before they turn 6 months old is essential. Cats can go into heat for the first time anywhere between 4 and 6 months of age.
It is advised to groom them before they reach sexual maturity to prevent annoying behaviors such as spraying, aggression, and a laundry list of other problems that occur.
6. Confusion
As cats get older, things may not be as clear to them as they used to be. Don’t let that discourage you. Listening to hour-long meowing sessions can be annoying, but you can find creative ways to stop the behavior—even if it means isolating yourself from the problem entirely.
Cats can develop dementia just like people. Cats begin to decline around 10 to 15 years of age, meaning this is the timeline of dementia flares. Confusion is a clear sign.
Other signs of dementia may include:
- Disorientation
- Different sleep patterns
- Loss of appetite
- Removing the outside of the litter box
- Meow a lot
If your cat has dementia, make sure you keep their environment as constant as possible and make all necessities easily accessible. It is important to discuss with your veterinarian how to manage dementia in your cat if you notice the signs.
7. Pain
Your cat may just be sick, and you haven’t really picked up on the other clues. Many issues involving pain can be linked to your cat’s meowing. Examples include hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, and even arthritis.
If you haven’t thought of sickness as a culprit, you may want to consider other visual symptoms that present. Are they more sluggish than usual? Does their personality seem affected? Are they urinating or defecating too much or too little?
All of these are important factors if you want to get to the bottom of a problem. Always consult your vet immediately if you suspect they are in poor health.
Feral Cats vs. Domestic Cats: Why Is Meowing Different?
As a cat lover, this is interesting. Did you know that feral cats that have never had human contact do not meow? That’s right! Feral cats don’t communicate this way, and it can be a clue if you find a lost kitten—are they wild or tame?
If they follow you around meowing, they probably belonged to someone at some point. Or, they may have had close contact with people throughout their lives.
Conclusion
So, now you will understand more about cats and why they meow. They can drone on all day for a variety of reasons and are usually nothing to worry about. But, of course, most of the time is not all of the time so it’s important to note changes in behavior.
If you think howling is becoming a problem, a visit to the vet may be the next thing on your to-do list.
Featured Image Credit: Stanimir G.Stoev, Shutterstock
