Why does my cat meow at me so much

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2. Stressors
3. Signs of Aging
4. They’re in heat
5. Attention Seeking

Meowing, howling, wailing, and chattering are often a cat's way of expressing his personality and feelings. While this can be annoying, there is no specific definition of excessive vocalization, since it largely depends on your tolerance level as an owner. Follow these guidelines to rule out medical issues and manage your cat's chattiness.

Rule out illness. Sudden changes in vocalization can indicate a health problem. If your cat has always been quiet and is suddenly yowling a lot, take him to your veterinarian.
Don’t reward the meowing. Attention, even negative attention, can reinforce the behavior. If you can, avoid feeding, playing, petting or talking to your cat while he is meowing.
Redirect, don't punish. If your cat tends to become vocal in certain situations or at certain times of the day, try to intercept him before he starts and redirect him to a fun game or petting session. This will prevent the problem behavior from starting in the first place.
Reward quiet behavior. Save petting, playtime, dinner, etc. for quiet moments to reinforce peaceful behavior. It may take time, but animals naturally repeat behavior that benefits them.
Consider your cat’s activity level. Cats sometimes vocalize out of boredom. Kittens and younger cats need more exercise and stimulation, so make time for interactive play at least once a day. You can also purchase a food-dispensing toy for your cat, which will burn both mental and physical energy.
Consider your cat’s age. Cats’ vision and hearing typically get worse over time, and meowing is sometimes the result of confusion or disorientation. These types of vocalizations sometimes become stronger in the evening. Give your senior cat plenty of loving attention to soothe and reassure them.
Explore medication if necessary. If your cat truly seems distressed and anxious, your vet can prescribe anti-anxiety medication to calm him while you work on modifying his behavior.

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Cats have a reputation for being silent, solitary killing machines. Well, big cats do anyway. But even our modern domestic cat is capable of some pretty phenomenal feats of stealth and voracity. And despite lacking the roars of their jungle cousins, domestic cats can still make quite a racket when the mood suits them. They can meow, purr, chirp, or hiss, and though any of these funny noises can be endearing in moderation, an excessively vocal cat might have you wondering, “why does my cat meow so much?”

Do you find yourself asking, “Why does my cat meow so much?” Does your cat carry on entire conversations with you? Cats communicate through a variety of sounds and vocalizations, from meows to growls to hisses. As kittens, they’ll meow to their moms when they’re cold, hungry, or scared. But as they age, cats mostly rely on body language and other more subtle vocalizations. But did you know that adult cats reserve their meows for communicating with their humans?

Most cat owners can agree that after a while, deciphering our cat’s meows becomes almost second nature. There’s the ever infamous “I’m hungry” meow and the “C’mon, let’s play!” trills. But besides the obvious meows we’re able to easily recognize as cat parents, there are more than a few reasons your cat keeps meowing at you.

1. Illness

Some cats are naturally more chatty than others - Siamese cats are known for being especially fond of expressing their opinions vocally. But if your cat is suddenly meowing more than usual, to the point of excessiveness, this may be a sign of an underlying illness. For instance, cats of all ages can develop an overactive thyroid or kidney disease, both of which can result in excessive vocalizations. It’s important to pay attention to your cat’s behavior - and of course, their meows. They may be trying to tell you something is wrong and a vet checkup may be in order.

2. Stressors

While some cats handle stress differently (like humans), a stressed cat may often become more vocal. Whether you’ve introduced a new pet or there has been a big move or changes made in the home, if your cat is stressed they might turn into a talker. Observe your cat for other signs of stress, and try to root out the source of it. If you can’t locate the source of stress or are unable to change it, be sure to give your cat some extra TLC and quiet time to help calm them down. Vertical space such as a cat tree can furnish some needed space or a hiding place that can reduce your cat’s stress as well as provide a great place to sleep or exercise.

3. Signs of Aging

As cats age, they can sometimes suffer from a form of mental confusion (or cognitive dysfunction), just like humans. This can cause them to become disoriented and cry for no apparent reason, especially at night. A nightlight sometimes can help if your cat becomes disoriented at night, and veterinarians often can prescribe medications that help ease these symptoms.

4. They’re in heat

If your cat is not spayed or neutered, be prepared for a lot more racket. Unaltered females in heat will yowl to attract a mate - and unaltered males will yowl in reply when they smell a female in heat. Spaying and neutering your cat will prevent this caterwauling. On top of that, spaying and neutering can actually improve your pet’s health, curb behavioral issues, and help save on the long-term cost of veterinary care.

5. Attention Seeking

While cats aren’t pack animals like dogs, that doesn’t mean they want to be alone all the time! Cats prefer to be social with the humans they love and trust. So despite the stereotypes of the “aloof” cat, your cat may be meowing to grab your attention because they’re feeling lonely - or even just bored.

If your cat isn’t getting the attention or stimulation they crave, it can result in incessant meows and 4 am kitty wake up calls. Provide your favorite feline with plenty of playtime with you - a tired cat is a quiet cat! But also provide them with toys they can bat around themselves during the day when you’re not home to encourage them to play. Catnip-filled toys are a great choice as the catnip also stimulates and encourages your cat to play - instead of nap all day.

6. Begging

Most pet parents know this meow like the back of their hand: The “FEED ME” meow. Many cats learn that anytime someone walks into the kitchen, if they meow for food there’s a chance they’ll get a bite to eat. And anytime you feed them after they come in meows blaring, you’re reinforcing this behavior. If your cat is a chronic beggar who meows at the top of their lungs, avoid feeding your cat when he cries. Wait until he quiets down to put down food, and don’t give her treats when she meows.

By: Caroline Golon

According to Arden Moore, author of The Cat Behavior Answer Book, “cats are capable of making at least 30 sounds, including at least 19 variations on the simple meow.”

So why do cats meow? Check out ten possible translations for cat talk and feline language:

10) I’m hurt – If your cat suddenly begins to meow excessively, take him to be evaluated by a veterinarian immediately. Your cat’s meows may indicate that there is something medically wrong, especially if the behavior isn’t typical. “Numerous diseases can cause a cat to feel hunger, thirst, or pain, all of which can lead to excessive meowing,” advises Web MD.

9) I’m just saying hi – Often a cat meows to his human when you come home, says the ASPCA website, or even to greet you when you see each other in the house.

8) I want food – The “I’m hungry” meow is likely one all cat parents know well. “Lots of cats know just how to tell their families that it’s time for dinner,” says pet blogger, Jane Harrell. “My cat Mojo would run around after me, meowing the whole time if she thought dinner was going to be late.”

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7) Pay attention to me – Sometimes cats talk simply because they want your attention – and they learn that meowing gets them just that. “Cats often meow to initiate play, petting or to get you to talk to them,” explains Web MD.

6) Let me in – “If a door is closed, cats might meow to get you to open it for them,” says Harrell. “I have a foster cat who meows every time I close the bedroom door. She doesn’t want to come in – she just doesn’t like having it closed.”

5) I’m in heat – A female cat in heat might yowl incessantly, says Moore. “Another good reason for spaying!” she adds.

4) I’m stressed – According to WebMD, cats who are stressed may become more vocal than normal. You may have experienced this first hand with a cat meowing loudly in the car on the way to the vet, for example.

3) I’m ticked off – “Angry, agitated cats will often erupt into a screaming match if they feel threatened enough to attack,” says Moore. She describes this mad meow sound as more of a yowl.

2) I don’t want to be alone – According to The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine’s Indoor Pet Initiative, when some cats are left alone for lengthy periods of time, they may become anxious and, among other things, meow excessively.

1) I’m getting older – “Increased vocalization is fairly common in senior cats,” says Dr. Arnold Plotnick of Manhattan Cats and veterinary expert to catchannel.com. As cats age, Dr. Plotnick explains, they may display a decrease in cognitive function, demonstrated in a variety of ways, including loud meowing.

Of course, as any cat parent knows, sometimes cats meow for some unknown reason. Perhaps your cat is meowing at night because the moon is out or he wants you to change the channel on the television. Since cats can make a variety of vocalizations, your cat will likely use distinctive sounds on different occasions with different meanings. And although cats don’t cry, paying attention to the circumstances in which your cat meows or vocalizes, and the sounds he makes can help you understand your resident feline a little better.