My cat, Mittens, has suddenly started meowing excessively. She’s usually pretty quiet, but now she’s meowing constantly, sometimes loudly, and at seemingly random times. It happens both during the day and at night, and the meows sound different – sometimes like a plaintive wail, sometimes short and insistent. She’s eating and drinking normally, and still seems affectionate, but the constant vocalization is concerning and keeping me up at night. Is there a specific reason why my cat, Mittens, who is usually quiet, is now meowing so much, and what are the potential causes I should investigate with my vet, including considering factors like her age (she’s 8 years old), recent changes in the household (we haven’t moved or added any new pets), and what specific behaviors might be triggering the meowing?

Answer

A cat meowing excessively can be due to a variety of reasons, both behavioral and medical. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

I. Behavioral Reasons:

• Attention Seeking: Cats often learn that meowing gets them attention. This could be for food, play, petting, or simply to be acknowledged. If you consistently respond to meows, even negatively (scolding), you’re reinforcing the behavior.

• Hunger: A hungry cat will often meow persistently, especially around meal times. This is more common in cats on strict feeding schedules or those who are free-fed but accustomed to getting treats or wet food at certain times.

• Greeting: Some cats meow as a greeting when you come home or enter a room. This is a social behavior and indicates that they’re happy to see you.

• Play: Cats might meow when they want to play, often accompanied by other playful behaviors like batting at your legs or bringing you toys.

• Boredom/Loneliness: Cats left alone for long periods, especially those who are highly social, may meow out of boredom or loneliness. They crave interaction and stimulation.

• Stress/Anxiety: A change in the environment (new pet, new baby, moving, construction, loud noises) can cause stress and anxiety, leading to increased meowing. Cats might also meow excessively if they feel threatened or insecure.

• Cognitive Dysfunction (Older Cats): Similar to dementia in humans, cognitive dysfunction in older cats can cause confusion, disorientation, and increased vocalization, including meowing. These cats may meow seemingly at random, especially at night.

• Territoriality: A cat might meow excessively if it perceives a threat to its territory, such as another cat outside the window.

• Learned Behavior: If meowing has been successful in the past at achieving a specific goal (e.g., getting the owner to open a door), the cat is likely to repeat the behavior.

II. Medical Reasons:

• Hyperthyroidism: This common condition in older cats causes increased metabolism, leading to increased appetite, thirst, activity, and often excessive vocalization.

• Kidney Disease: Chronic kidney disease can cause discomfort and disorientation, which can manifest as increased meowing, especially at night.

• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Elevated blood pressure can affect the brain and lead to neurological symptoms, including increased vocalization.

• Arthritis or Pain: Painful conditions like arthritis can cause cats to meow more, especially when moving or being touched in sensitive areas.

• Dental Issues: Dental disease can cause significant pain and discomfort, which can result in excessive meowing.

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) or Blockages: These conditions can cause pain and discomfort during urination, leading to increased meowing and other distress signals.

• Vision or Hearing Loss: A cat losing its sight or hearing might become disoriented and anxious, leading to increased meowing, especially in unfamiliar surroundings or at night.

• Neurological Problems: In rare cases, neurological disorders can affect a cat’s vocalization and behavior, leading to excessive meowing.

III. Specific Scenarios:

• Meowing at Night: Nighttime meowing is common in older cats with cognitive dysfunction or medical conditions like hyperthyroidism or kidney disease. It can also be related to boredom or attention-seeking if the cat sleeps most of the day.

• Meowing at Doors: This is usually related to wanting to go outside, wanting to be let into a specific room, or hearing something on the other side of the door.

• Meowing While Using the Litter Box: This could indicate a urinary tract infection, blockage, or other pain-related issues.

• Meowing While Being Petted: This could be a sign of pleasure, but it could also indicate pain or discomfort if the petting is done in a sensitive area.

IV. What to Do:

1. Rule Out Medical Issues: The first and most important step is to take your cat to the veterinarian for a thorough checkup. Blood tests, urine tests, and a physical examination can help identify any underlying medical conditions that might be causing the meowing.

2. Analyze the Meowing: Keep a log of when, where, and why your cat is meowing. This can help you identify patterns and potential triggers. Note the cat’s body language and the context surrounding the meowing.

3. Address Environmental Factors: Reduce stress and anxiety by providing a safe and predictable environment. Ensure your cat has plenty of toys, scratching posts, and opportunities for play and enrichment.

4. Adjust Feeding Schedule: If hunger is a factor, consider feeding your cat smaller, more frequent meals or using an automatic feeder.

5. Ignore Attention-Seeking Meowing: If your cat is meowing for attention, try to ignore the behavior. Only give attention when the cat is quiet.

6. Provide Playtime and Enrichment: Dedicate time each day to play with your cat and provide opportunities for mental stimulation.

7. Consider a Feliway Diffuser: Feliway is a synthetic feline pheromone that can help reduce stress and anxiety in cats.

8. Consult a Veterinary Behaviorist: If the excessive meowing persists despite addressing medical and environmental factors, consider consulting a veterinary behaviorist. They can help you develop a behavior modification plan tailored to your cat’s specific needs.