Love for the Little Troublemaker

“I can’t take his incessant meowing anymore—it’s driving me crazy!” Leo’s mom complained to her husband. “Don’t worry,” he replied, glancing at Leo, who lounged on the couch.

Leo’s ears perked up, his eyes darting to the cameras. So, they’re watching me? he thought. With a smug grin, he decided to rest his vocal cords before another night of attention-seeking meows.

Cat Calls – Science behind persistent meowing

Have you tried to analyze the situation at home to find the underlying cause of Leo’s excessive meowing? You know, cats usually meow for a good reason, so you must not ignore it without making sure that there is no serious problem that requires immediate attention.

The first step is to get Leo checked by his veterinarian to rule out deafness or any other serious health issue. Chronic illnesses such as kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or high blood pressure can cause your pet to be more vocal. Cats who cannot hear their voice also meow loudly and more often.

Leo’s parents nodded in agreement. Take into account Leo’s breed. Some cat breeds, such as Oriental, Siamese, etc., are naturally chatty and love to talk. Meowing loudly, frequently and more persistently as compared to the other breeds is part of their personality. People who find the idea unappealing should pick a more subdued cat breed when considering adoption.

Feline Frequencies – Adopting to change as they age

As cats age, they can suffer from mental confusion caused by cognitive dysfunction. Senior cats often cry and meow for no apparent reason, especially at night. In such cases, a night light can help prevent your feline friend from becoming disoriented at night. Leo is not that old yet, He is just five, his mom replied.

Has Leo been neutered yet? Female cats in heat meow loudly, and so do males when they pick up the scent of a female in heat. Cats also meow loudly during hostile encounters with other cats, especially when it concerns a territorial dispute.

Getting your pet spayed or neutered often helps. We got him neutered last year, so that’s not it, Leo’s mom replied. Maybe he’s hungry or thirsty? Cats often meow excessively around feeding time. Avoid rewarding this—feed him only when he’s quiet. You can also use an automatic feeder and water fountain. All that’s sorted, said Leo’s mom. There must be another reason.

Sensing Stress

Is there something that is causing Leo to stress? Did you catch him peeing or pooping outside the litter tray? If yes, that explains his excessive and loud meowing. Cats can get stressed because of a lot of reasons made to the home environment or routine, moving homes, the arrival of a new baby or pet, new people coming over to visit, loud noises, activity outside the house that is visible to them, and so on. Try to find out what is causing him anxiety and help him adjust to the change.  Give him extra attention to soothe him. Figure out ways to minimize his stress, such as introducing new members carefully, using curtains to obstruct his visual access to outdoor scenery, etc.

Maybe you are reading too much into the situation. Maybe Leo is just meowing because he missed you. Many cats meow excessively when their humans come home from outside. While all that loud and non-stop meowing may certainly not seem like an act of love, it is the only way they know how to express their happiness at seeing you.

Lone Cats, Sad Hearts

Cats are social creatures and often dislike being alone. Excessive meowing can signal loneliness or a need for attention. To help, spend quality time with your cat daily and offer attention at random moments—not just when they meow. Leave toys or hire a pet sitter to keep them occupied when you’re away, teaching them they don’t need to meow for attention.

Don’t punish him or yell at him for meowing loudly. Such actions can backfire and make Leo distrust and dislike you. The trick is to not give in. When a cat is used to getting what he wants from meowing, he is going to meow more and meow louder when it stops working. Things will get worse before they get better, so do not panic if that happens. Continue ignoring his meows and rewarding him when he is quiet. Eventually, he will get the idea.

Leo woke up feeling guilt-ridden. They work so hard to make my life easier, and I’ve been a troublemaker. I need to change. Resolved to be on his best behaviour year-round. The next morning, he woke to a surprise—a large gift addressed to him: To Leo, with love from mom, inside were all his favorite treats, which his mom happily offered as Leo purred with delight.