Meowing

Meowing is a basic form of vocal expression and communication for cats. Meowing can come with a lot of variations; in fact, cats are thought to be able to produce over 30 different meowing sounds. The variations depend on their targets of communication (other cats, humans, and dogs), their moods and their needs.

Meow – Sometimes cats meow for basic needs, such as hunger, drawing attention, and wanting care and comfort. Sometimes they meow simply because they are bored and want some human interaction with us.

It would be nice we play with them sometimes; alternatively, it is a good idea we provide an entertaining environment with cat toys for them to play if they are alone, or to play with other cats.

Chatter – Cats would chatter when they are excited or frustrated, sometimes involving rapid jaw movements. This happens when they cannot reach what they want.

Hiss and Growl – Sometimes cats hiss to show a sign of fear, or when they use it as a threat to other cats. They would also growl to warn others to stay away.

Purr – Cats purr to comfort themselves when they are in pain, even though sometimes it can also be a sign of contentment and relaxation. 

Scream – When cats feel pain or distressed, they would scream.

These can be regarded as “minor” issues when cats express their emotional states. Sometimes, however, cats may have excessive meow or the meow may signal some health issues, physical or psychological.

Excessive Meowing

Excessive meowing can be a learnt behavior for cats to get what they want. When cats find that meowing would draw our attention to them and get what they want, they would take meowing as a habit and meow whenever they have needs.

Sometimes we may neglect cats’ meow for various reasons, for example, when we are talking on the phone, or when we are taking a shower. In this case, they would keep meowing for needs until we pay attention to them.

However, when cats have built up this habit, they would meow whenever they want, and the non-stop meowing can be disturbing in the house, especially when they meow in front of our bedrooms during the night when everybody is sleeping.

Note that we should avoid shushing, yelling, shouting or scolding the cats even when we are annoyed with the meowing noise. The cats are just trying to draw our attention to get what they want, and this kind of responses may either scare the cats or reinforce their constant meowing (because we are already paying attention with whatever response we give to them, which is what they want).

Quiet-attention – One way to tackle this situation is to break or reverse their habit of meowing to get what they want. This can be done by ignoring their meows, and give them what they want, such as food, only when they become quiet.

In the meantime, it may be necessary to put on a pair of earplugs to filter the noise.

Keep this pattern and give them attention when they are quiet, and give them no attention when they meows or make other noise. Gradually they will unlearn the meow-attention pattern and relearn the quiet-attention pattern. This may last for a few days.

Attention Transfer – Another way is to keep the cats busy with toys, extra play or whatever activity or things that draw cats’ attention. Do this during the day (our waking hours) for them to use up their energy so that they can sleep at the same time with us at night.

Sometimes it is also a good idea to keep them busy in the evening before you sleep.

Little Tricks – Apart from the planned behavior-changing programme, sometimes a little trick may well stop cats meowing, like a little blow on their faces, or a tickle on their neck. It all depends on individual cats and your bond and interactions with the cats.

Cat Sitter – In some cases cats may meow excessively out of loneliness. This may happen if we spend most of the time outside, leaving the cats alone in the house. If this is the case, we may consider having a cat sitter to accompany the cats, take care of them and play with them, during our absence in the house.

Other methods include squirting (spraying liquids at cats’ paws at their second meow from behind closed door), alarms and compressed air devices (make loud noise or shoot compressed air when cats pass by restricted areas). However, these methods are only used as last resort and should be carried out in caution, as this may scare the cats.

Extra note – Breeds

Last but not least, cats may meow very often not because they are sick or needs something. They do so simply because of their breeds and their nature. These breeds include the Balinese, Cornish rex, Japanese Bobtail, Korat, Siamese, and Tonkinese.