Why Do Cats Meow?
Interestingly, adult cats rarely use meowing to communicate with each other. According to Bradshaw (2013) in Cat Sense, meowing is a behavior that domestic cats have developed primarily to communicate with humans. Kittens meow at their mothers to express their needs, but adult feral cats seldom do so.
Moderate meowing is a normal form of communication. However, when meowing becomes excessively frequent, prolonged, or noticeably changes in volume and tone, it may indicate health problems or unmet needs. According to AAFP behavioral guidelines, distinguishing between medical and behavioral causes is the first step in addressing excessive meowing.
Medical Causes
Excessive meowing can be a sign of various medical conditions. According to ISFM recommendations, the following health issues should be ruled out before considering behavioral factors:
- Hyperthyroidism: One of the most common endocrine diseases in middle-aged to senior cats, causing excessive vocalization, increased appetite, and weight loss. According to Peterson (2012), published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, hyperthyroid cats often howl at night.
- Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS): Brain degeneration in senior cats, similar to dementia in humans, causing disorientation and nighttime howling. Research by Gunn-Moore et al. (2007) indicates that approximately half of cats over 15 years of age show signs of cognitive dysfunction.
- Pain: Pain from arthritis, dental disease, or urinary tract issues may cause cats to vocalize to express discomfort
- Hearing Loss: Cats with hearing impairment may meow louder because they cannot hear themselves
- Hypertension: Often associated with kidney disease or hyperthyroidism, and may cause abnormal vocalization behavior
Behavioral Causes
- Attention-seeking: If the owner responds every time the cat meows (feeding, petting, opening doors), the cat learns that "meowing = getting what I want," reinforcing the behavior
- Hunger or Food-related: Meowing near feeding times is very common. Scheduled, portioned feeding or using a timed feeder can reduce food-related meowing
- Anxiety or Stress: Environmental changes, introduction of new pets, or separation anxiety can all lead to excessive vocalization. According to the AAFP/ISFM Environmental Needs Guidelines, a stable and enriched environment helps reduce anxiety
- Boredom: Indoor cats lacking environmental stimulation and interaction may meow out of frustration
- Mating Behavior: Unspayed female cats in heat produce persistent howling, and unneutered male cats may howl when they detect a female in heat
Breed Differences
Different cat breeds show significant differences in vocalization tendencies. According to Turner & Bateson (2014) in The Domestic Cat:
- Siamese and Oriental Shorthair: Known for being vocal and talkative; meowing is part of their communicative nature
- Burmese: Also an active and talkative breed, with a softer voice than the Siamese but equally frequent vocalization
- Bengal: Highly energetic with a varied vocal range; requires plenty of interaction and stimulation
- Persian and British Shorthair: Relatively quiet breeds; excessive meowing is more likely to indicate a problem
- Russian Blue: Typically quiet and reserved; sudden talkativeness warrants special attention
Understanding breed characteristics helps assess whether meowing falls within the normal range, but individual variation is equally important—always use the cat's own baseline behavior as the reference point.
How to Address Excessive Meowing
- Seek Veterinary Care First: Rule out medical causes, especially in middle-aged to senior cats with a sudden increase in meowing
- Do Not Respond While the Cat Is Meowing: Wait until the cat is quiet before giving attention, teaching it that "being quiet leads to getting what I want." This requires patience—meowing may temporarily intensify initially (extinction burst)
- Reward Quiet Behavior: Offer treats and petting when the cat is resting quietly or sitting calmly beside you
- Establish a Consistent Routine: Fixed schedules for feeding, play, and interaction reduce meowing caused by uncertainty
- Provide Adequate Environmental Enrichment: Interactive toys, cat trees, window perches— reducing vocalization caused by boredom
- Consider Spaying/Neutering: If the howling is related to mating behavior, spaying or neutering effectively resolves the issue
What Not to Do
- Do not yell at your cat: This only increases stress and may lead to more vocalization or other behavioral problems
- Do not spray water or use aversive stimuli: According to AAFP behavioral guidelines, punishment damages the human-cat bond
- Do not ignore sudden behavioral changes: A previously quiet cat that suddenly becomes vocal should be seen by a veterinarian
- Do not respond inconsistently: Alternating between responding and ignoring creates intermittent reinforcement, making the meowing behavior more persistent
References
- Bradshaw, J. W. S. (2013). Cat Sense: The Feline Enigma Revealed. Allen Lane / Penguin Books.
- Turner, D. C., & Bateson, P. (Eds.). (2014). The Domestic Cat: The Biology of its Behaviour (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- Peterson, M. E. (2012). "Hyperthyroidism in cats: What is new and what is the best treatment?" Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 14(11), 803-811.
- Gunn-Moore, D. A., Moffat, K., Christie, L. A., & Head, E. (2007). "Cognitive dysfunction and the neurobiology of ageing in cats." Journal of Small Animal Practice, 48(10), 546-553.
- Ellis, S. L. H., Rodan, I., Carney, H. C., et al. (2013). "AAFP and ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines." Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 15(3), 219-230.