Why Is My Cat Meowing So Much? Causes and When to Worry

Why cats meow at people

Kittens meow to their mothers, but adult cats rarely meow to each other. Instead, they use scent, body language and other sounds such as hissing, growling and chirping. Many cats seem to have learnt that meowing is a good way to get a human's attention, and each cat develops their own repertoire. You may already be able to tell your cat's "feed me" meow from their "let me out" one.

Some cats are simply more talkative than others. Oriental breeds such as the Siamese are well known for being vocal, and individual personality plays a big part too.

Common everyday reasons

• Hunger. Especially around mealtimes or first thing in the morning. Cats learn quickly if meowing makes breakfast arrive sooner.
• Attention and company. Cats who are alone a lot, or who have learnt that meowing gets a response, may chat more.
• Wanting access. To go outside, come in, get into a closed room or reach a favourite spot.
• Greeting. Many cats meow when you come home.
• Boredom. A cat without enough play or stimulation may vocalise more, especially indoor cats. See indoor cat enrichment.
• Stress or change. A house move, a new pet, building work or a stray cat outside can all make a cat more vocal.
• Being in season. Unspayed females in season can call loudly and persistently, and entire males may yowl when they sense a female nearby. Neutering usually reduces this.

Health reasons for more meowing

A change in how much your cat meows can be an early sign of illness. Your vet may consider:

• An overactive thyroid, which is common in older cats and can cause restlessness, a big appetite, weight loss and more vocalising. See hyperthyroidism in cats
• High blood pressure, which can occur with thyroid or kidney disease and may affect the eyes and brain
• Pain, for example from arthritis, dental disease or an injury
• Kidney disease, often with increased thirst and weight loss
• Age-related confusion (sometimes called cognitive dysfunction), which can lead to crying at night, disorientation and changes in sleep
• Loss of sight or hearing, which can make some cats louder or more anxious
• Urinary problems, especially if your cat cries in or near the litter tray

What the meowing might be telling you

When it happens	Possible reasons
Before meals or at dawn	Hunger, routine, learnt behaviour
When you're on the phone or busy	Wanting attention
At a closed door or window	Wanting access, or reacting to a cat outside
Loud, repeated yowling with rolling and raised rear	Being in season
At night, in an older cat, with wandering	Age-related changes, high blood pressure, thyroid disease
While in or near the litter tray	Discomfort or a blockage. Urgent
When picked up or touched in one area	Pain

How to reduce attention meowing

If your vet has ruled out medical causes, these steps can help a cat who meows for attention or food.

1. Meet the need first. Make sure your cat has enough food, fresh water, a clean litter tray, play and somewhere comfortable to rest.
2. Feed on a schedule. Regular mealtimes help. An automatic feeder can stop dawn wake-up calls being linked to you getting up.
3. Don't reward the meow. Wait for a moment of quiet before you give food, open the door or give attention. Even a few seconds of silence is a start.
4. Reward quiet behaviour. Give attention, play or a treat when your cat is calm, not only when they are noisy.
5. Play before bed. A good session with a wand toy, followed by a small meal, often helps cats settle for the night.
6. Add enrichment. Food puzzles, window perches and new things to explore can reduce boredom.
7. Stay kind. Shouting, spraying water or shutting your cat away can make them anxious and more vocal, and doesn't address why they are meowing.

Be aware that when you stop responding to attention meowing, it often gets louder for a while before it improves. Stay consistent.

When to call your vet

Book a vet appointment if your cat:

• Has started meowing much more than usual, or their voice has changed, become hoarse or disappeared
• Is meowing at night, seems confused or wanders aimlessly
• Is eating more but losing weight, or is drinking and weeing more. See why is my cat losing weight
• Seems restless, irritable or unusually clingy
• Cries when touched, picked up or when jumping
• Has bumped into things, or their pupils look unusually large

Call immediately if your cat is crying while straining in the litter tray, passing little or no urine, or licking their genitals repeatedly. A urinary blockage can be life-threatening, especially in male cats. See cat straining in the litter tray. Sudden loud crying with weakness or dragging of the back legs, or difficulty breathing, is also an emergency.

Older cats and meowing

Many cats become more vocal as they age, and it is tempting to put it down to "just getting old". But conditions such as thyroid disease, high blood pressure and kidney disease are common in older cats and can often be managed. Regular senior check-ups are worthwhile. Our guide to caring for a senior cat explains what to expect, and the cat age calculator can help you work out your cat's life stage.

Notice changes in your cat's voice

You know your cat's normal chatter better than anyone. A note of when and how much they meow, alongside their appetite, thirst and weight, can show a slow change you might otherwise miss. Petopedia lets you log food, water, weight and behaviour, so if your cat starts calling at night or seems hungrier than usual, you can show your vet exactly when it began.