Excessive vocalization is one of the most common complaints that cat owners have. Cats make a variety of sounds for different purposes, purring, growling, hissing, but loud, insistent, continuous meowing or crying can be attention-seeking behavior or may signal medical or emotional problems. Individual cats will vary as to how much they meow, but a sudden change in their vocalization pattern may indicate a problem the owner needs to address, often for their own benefit as well as their cat’s!
A cat who suddenly begins meowing loudly and more often may be in pain. Medical conditions can cause increased vocalization, so your first step in solving the problem may be taking your cat to the veterinarian for a checkup to rule out treatable physical conditions
Some cats will use their cry to beg for food. It may be from hunger, but cats can suffer from food addictions just as humans do. An occasional treat is not harmful, but overfeeding will result in an overweight cat susceptible to medical conditions related to excessive weight. Feeding your cat several small meals a day instead of a large one in the morning or evening may solve this problem. If he continues his insistent meowing for food, don’t give in and allow him to become overweight. Feeding meals and giving treats at scheduled times will teach him when to expect his food and may discourage his pleas, although it may take several weeks for his behavior to change.
Siamese and other Oriental breeds are well known for their penchant for meowing, while some breeds such as the Maine Coon or Persian are usually more quiet. Some cats enjoy having “conversations” with their owner, responding to their owner’s voice with a meow. Some people enjoy “talking” to their cat, often meowing back at them. If this is the case, then it’s not a problem, but if you don’t care to “converse” with your cat at his insistence, then reserve your attention until he is quiet. Again, it may take several weeks until he alters his behavior.
Kittens and young cats will display normal “crazy cat behavior,” tearing around the house, suddenly deciding they need to go to another room, turning and jumping into the air. It’s no wonder people used to think they were possessed! A middle-aged or older cat who races erratically around the house with a mournful cry may be suffering from feline hyperesthesia. Other symptoms include rippling of the skin on the cat’s back, with the cat often biting or scratching his back or tail; nocturnal crying for no apparent reason; dilated pupils or glassy eyes; staring blankly into space; and discomfort at being petted. The cat may have seizures. Feline hyperesthesia can have many causes. Flea infestation is one that is easily diagnosed and treated at home. A change in diet may also bring on symptoms. Exposure to toxins (flea collars, ingesting toxic plants in the home, cleaning products or other chemicals) or brain involvement (trauma, infection, or tumors) are causes that will require a veterinarian evaluation. If physical causes are ruled out, hyperesthesia may be considered an obsessive-compulsive disorder brought on by stress.
Cats may suffer from stress when their home environment changes. A new baby or new pet cat or dog, moving to a new home, the sickness of the owner or other pet, aggression of another animal, or the absence of their owner may all threaten their security. Offer your cat a secure hiding place, away from the baby or other pets. Anxiety over home reconstruction or remodeling may best be dealt with by removing the cat from the location of the temporary stressor. Moving to a new home may cause temporary stress but he will usually adapt in time when surrounded by familiar people and objects. Your cat may be overcome by chronic stress, and become passive and unresponsive instead of employing his natural “fight or flight” instinct. He may begin soiling in inappropriate places or become overly clingy to gain attention. Chronic stress can lead to physical illness; the immune system begins to break down, increasing the risk of disease. Digestive problems and infections are common, and the resulting illness causes fatigue, leaving the cat even less able to cope with environmental stressors. The vet may prescribe anti anxiety drugs or the cat may need to be placed in a new home free from the particular situation causing his chronic stress.
Cats (and people) who learn to deal with stressful situations at a young age are often better at dealing with stressors as they grow older. When you bring a new kitten home, get him used to being handled and fed by other people, and expose him to other pets, noisy conditions, environments, and children to desensitize him to stress so he will adapt more readily as he becomes an adult cat. A close, attentive relationship with your adult cat will help you spot early signs of stress, and steps can be taken to relieve his stress before it distresses him and long-term damage has been done.
