You’ve heard the saying, “the cat’s meow?” The idiom typically refers to something excellent or outstanding.
Like our pets.
And while, for most cat lovers, there is perhaps no sweeter sound, sometimes “the cat’s meow” can mean quite the opposite. Especially when they just won’t stop.
Veterinarians frequently field calls from concerned cat moms and dads, seeking help because, ‘My cat won’t stop meowing!’
When it comes to particularly noisy kitties, the knee-jerk reaction is often to chalk those mounting meows up to behavioral issues.
“I think we often attribute things to behavior when we could be missing something more important,” Doylestown’s Dr. Jerica Lugo, VMD, says.
We assume our cats are relentlessly nudging us for attention or that they are hungry again. And while those things can be true, she notes, “we often forget about potential medical causes.”
Frequently, Dr. Lugo adds, the only way animals have to show their people something is wrong is via changes in their normal routine.
“Cats are particularly stoic pets,” Dr. Lugo says. “In the wild, they are considered a prey species because they’re so small.” Because of that, they tend to keep things close to the vest when something isn’t right or when they aren’t feeling well.
“We need to pick up on their more subtle cues, and that may be that our cats are ‘yelling’ at us more often,” she continues. “Whenever there is a major behavior change, it’s a good time to see your vet.”
When There’s ‘Ow’ in Meow
According to Dr. Lugo, it is relatively common for cats to be considerably more or less vocal when they are under the weather or in pain.
“Sometimes, it’s that they’re generally not feeling well,” she says. “And sometimes it can point to a specific medical condition.”
Hyperthyroidism is a common culprit. An overactive thyroid gland can be the cause of an overabundance of meows, as it contributes to restlessness and anxiety. It can also, unfortunately, cause cats to have an increased appetite—a double-edged sword.
“I’ve had cat owners tell me, ‘My cat just won’t stop vocalizing. I feed them a lot, yet they seem to be losing weight. They’re just screaming all the time.’ Hyperthyroidism is frequently to blame.”
The good news? This illness is easily diagnosed with simple bloodwork, says Dr. Lugo. “And often, once they’re treated, we see a huge improvement in the vocalization.”
Hearing loss, too, can cause chatty—and loud—cats, particularly when experienced by older animals.
“They don’t realize how much they are vocalizing and how loud they are being,” Dr. Lugo says. “They just don’t hear themselves anymore.”
Hearing loss can occasionally be more challenging to diagnose. Hearing tests tend to be more invasive and involved than many pet owners are comfortable with. However, Dr. Lugo stresses that there are examinations that can be performed in-clinic, such as sound localization tests, which can help to determine if hearing is indeed a factor.
Cognitive dysfunction can also lead to verbosity in older cats and dogs. Similar to aging humans who experience disorientation from time to time, a cat may enter a room and not remember why, says Dr. Lugo.
“They may not know where they are and become stressed because of it. We see this more often at night. They may walk into a room, feel disoriented, and cry out for their owner.”
Again, Dr. Lugo stresses, veterinary intervention is best.
“There are always steps that can be taken to support brain and cognitive function in our pets, once the cause of increased vocalization has been determined.”
Purrsonality Issues
According to Dr. Lugo, some cat breeds are simply predisposed to being loud and proud—Siamese and Bengals among the most talkative. “These cats may ‘yell’ all the time, because that’s just their personality as a kitty,” she says.
“When we observe vocalization that has been common throughout the life of a cat, we tend to say, ‘OK, that’s likely a behavioral issue.’ It’s when there are changes in vocalization that we begin to think there’s something more going on. If you have a cat that is normally quiet and suddenly they’re really vocal, that’s when we start to wonder, ‘Is there something more to this?’”
Loneliness, too, can be a huge contributor to increased vocalization. Dr. Lugo says she often sees this when owners are away from home more often than normal, or when another household pet has passed away.
“Cats may be trying to adjust to the change,” she says. “They may be looking for their housemate. And sometimes, if their housemate is no longer there, they are craving more attention from the people they live with.”
Finding time to engage with your cat is integral during times like these, Dr. Lugo says.
“We may think, ‘Oh, I pet my cat regularly. That’s all the interaction they need.’ But not necessarily. Some cats prefer active playtime to help stimulate their brain. Especially if there was the loss of a household pet who played with them, and now they don’t really have anyone to play with.”
Dr. Lugo suggests allowing your cat to take the lead when it comes to the kind of attention they crave.
“If they’re coming over to be pet, try to give them that time. Find a few minutes for brushing or ear scratching or lying on your lap. Figure out what kind of attention they enjoy and provide them with that additional stimulation.”
Of course, mealtime—or the perceived lack thereof—may also play into feline fussiness.
“Cats have an impeccable internal clock when it comes to feeding time,” Dr. Lugo says, and they’ll be the first to let their people know when dinner (and breakfast and lunch) should be served, going so far as to serve as a meowing alarm clock of sorts.
“And then sometimes their internal clock can be a little off,” Dr. Lugo continues.
Automatic feeders can be a godsend in certain situations, allowing cat owners to program many small meals throughout the day, satiating those kitties who are trying to convince you that “you need to be feeding them more.”
“I’ve seen them help with cats who were always begging for food,” Dr. Lugo says. “Often, those behaviors will be redirected toward that automatic feeder. So, instead of waking up their owner, they’ll sit by the feeder and wait for it to dispense their meals.”
Calling in the Specialists
If nothing seems to work for your talkative tabby, the problem may indeed be medical, but in a behavioral sense, says Dr. Lugo. Stress and anxiety, for instance, may be a contributor.
“Sometimes, I recommend a veterinary behavioralist who can help pet owners work through what is happening and what can be done,” Dr. Lugo continues.
“Medications can be helpful, and often behaviorists are the best people to help choose the right treatment for your pet’s particular issue while helping you figure out ways to curb the behavior, as well. Often, it’s a combination of the two.”
It can be tough when our pets experience behavioral changes – particularly when they’re frustrating or disruptive.
“We may want an easy fix, but figuring things out can take time. The solution can take time, as well,” Dr. Lugo says. “I always try to remind my owners to have a bit of patience. Unfortunately, we can’t ask our cats what’s wrong or what they need. They don’t understand when we tell them everything is going to be OK. So, we need to have a bit of patience to discover what will work best for them and their situation.”
