Tips to Stop Your Cat’s Excessive Meowing

Trying to sleep or concentrate on something while your cat is relentlessly meowing can be annoying. Cats can be very vocal and this meowing is often their only way of trying to tell you something. Your cat may be hungry, sick or even just bored. This behavior can be cured if you know what is causing it. Determine if your cat only meows during specific times of the day, such as bedtime or morning when you first wake up. This might give you some clues as to what is causing the meowing.

Check that your cat has plenty of food and water and that his kitty litter box is clean. Cats will often meow to inform you of a problem with one of these things, so make sure the food bowl is full and his water is fresh. Cats are also known for being clean creatures that don’t like dirty, smelly litter boxes. Keep his litter box clean and replace the littler every few days to keep your cat happy.

Play with your cat in the evening before heading to bed to help use up his extra energy and encourage him to sleep. Supply your cat with toys or have him chase around a string or laser pointer to tire him out and get rid of any boredom that may cause him to wander around and meow when you lay down to sleep. Even if the toys don’t tire him out by bedtime they will at least keep him entertained while you sleep and prevent him from meowing.

Have your vet examine the cat for any illnesses or injuries. Cats occasionally will become vocal and meow a lot when they are sick, pregnant or in heat. Your vet can evaluate your cat and determine whether there is anything that may be causing him to meow excessively, like cat dementia or separation anxiety.

If you have had your cat examined and have tried everything to keep him from meowing but he still continues, simply ignore him. Your cat is most likely just trying to get attention and responding to the behavior only reinforces it. If your cat starts to meow at you, walk away from him or leave the room and he will quickly realize the behavior will not get him what he wants.

Spray your cat with water. If your cat is meowing for no other reason than attention-seeking, fill a spray bottle with some room temperature water and squirt him every time he meows. Your cat will soon learn that excessive meowing results in getting sprayed and will stop doing it.

Give your pet a friend to play with. If your cat is social and friendly towards other animals, get a companion cat around his own age so he has a friend to keep him entertained. The cats will be too distracted with each other to bother meowing at you for attention.

Give your cat a reward when he behaves well. If your cat is sitting quietly or approaches you without meowing, give him a treat or praise to reward him from not meowing. If he meows but then stops and remains quiet, give him a treat and reward for his good behavior.

Sources:

Pet Peeves: My Cat Won’t Stop Meowing, Pet Sugar

Tip 43 ‘” Meowing Cat ‘” Excessive Meowing, Pets