Many pet owners contact me asking the same thing What is the reason my cat often meows? Cats meow only to make contact with other cats. They do not meow at other cats or animals. So, a cat that meows is only interested in one thing: to be noticed!
The reason your cat would like to be a part of yours is a lot more challenging to understand. Cats may prefer to be petted, allowed to go outside, or even for you to play with each other. Cats can also be heard meowing when you’re stressed, hungry, sick, or searching for a companion. How do you know the message your pet is trying to convey?
This article will tackle this vital question to help you know your cat better. I provide ten reasons why your cat’s meows can be random and offers clues for determining the reason and tips on satisfying your cat’s loud demands.
Why Does My Cat Randomly Meow?
Listening to your cat meow in the middle of nowhere can be challenging. Ignore meows, meow in excess, or meow louder than usual. However, these meows aren’t random. They all have a reason. Your cat may be trying to convey one of these things:
Confusion due to Old AgeRandom meows is typical in older cats as their cognitive functions begin to decline, referred to as feline cognition dysfunction (FCD). FCD is a pervasive aspect of aging that causes cats to be confused and confused.
It is a problem for over 55% of cats between 11 and 15 years old and more than most cats 16 and over.
Confused kitties meow more frequently than usual, yelling in seemingly normal circumstances. They usually yowl more regularly in the evening when left in dark, chaotic surroundings. Other indicators of FCD may be problems with memory and learning spatial awareness, as well as behaviors such as:
- Not using the litter box despite having been trained
- Need help to recognize familiar faces and pets.
- I am staring into space, meowing at nothing
- Your home is a blur of wanderlust or becoming lost
- They are less likely to explore their surroundings or groom themselves
- It appears to be restless and anxious
1. Disease or Injury
Injury and illness can both make cats more vocal than usual. The meowing is a reaction to the symptoms that your cat may be experiencing. They could yell to inform you that they’re in pain, constantly hungry, or suffering from extreme thirst. This all depends on the root cause of the illness.
Many cats make strange sounds when they’re sick, especially when suffering from respiratory issues. They may also have the characteristic of a soft and loud meow. On the other hand, urinary problems are more likely to occur if your cat yows loudly after cleaning the litter box because these conditions can make it difficult to go to the bathroom. Kidney disease and hyperthyroidism are also known to trigger excessive meowing.
The best thing to do is to search for other signs that might indicate that your cat has an injury or medical condition. Cats are always trying to cover up the pain. Therefore you may need to look for subtle signs, like changes in the cat’s sleeping position in the event of illness.
2. Meows as a Greeting
My cat will always meow at me in the early morning and when I get home after work. She does the same to my spouse when he enters the doorway. It’s not an indication of aging or illness; it’s just my cat’s way of greeting me.
Do you notice your cat yawning so loudly at the beginning of the day or after you get home? If yes, they greet you and express their joy to meet you. Some cats make this gesture when they see your companions in the same home. This may appear random initially, as there is no need at the moment that you need to fulfill; however, it is a sign that your cat is very affectionate and is awe-inspiring!
3. Asking for Food
Cats usually meow for food, asking you to fill their bowls. If this occurs during meals, it’s obvious what your cat is asking. But, some cats make a wailing noise whenever people enter the kitchen, hoping they’ll be given some treats or more biscuits from their bowls.
Are you noticing that your cat constantly begging to eat? It’s tempting to cave in when your pet is continuously hungry and crying and filling the bowl with food so that you can be at peace. However, there are better options than this! This is a way to teach cats that meowing can be rewarded with food, which causes them to pounce to push you more.
If you’ve ever given in to their hunger-inducing calls, the random meows they make might be seeking more food even if you’ve already prepared dinner.
4. Feeling Lonely
Cats are thought to be highly independent. However, they are not without loneliness. Every cat needs attention, affection, and stimulation. If your cat is spending too often alone, this can cause separation anxiety and could result in frequent meowing.
However, separation anxiety is common among cats. It is estimated that 64 percent of cats are attached to their pet owners. If these animals do not receive the required attention and become stressed, they will quickly develop. Excessive meowing and vocalizations are typical symptoms of separation anxiety, and the cat’s meows can sound urgent and close to a yowl. Other indicators of loneliness and separation anxiety include:
- Hyper-attachment makes your cat so loving
- The destruction of objects (more frequent in male cats)
- Urinating outside of the litter box, typically on the bed of the owner
- Defecating in the toilet outside
- Self-grooming excessively
5. Stress or Anxiety
Separation anxiety isn’t the only reason that causes anxiety in cats. Other factors can cause your cat to become afraid or anxious. Specific stressors are obvious, like moving into a new place or introducing an animal to the family. However, some cats can be stressed by small things that humans might overlook, like:
- Make changes to your cat’s food schedule
- Moving furniture around or redecorating your home
- Modifications to your schedule, like waking up at different times in the morning
- The feeling of being manipulated or touched in a way that they dislike
- A cat has been introduced to the neighborhood and is invading their property
Cats yowl when they’re stressed, bringing the stress to you. But they could appear random and uninvited. If you need to be made aware of the stress causes.
The most effective way to determine whether this is the reason behind your cat’s vocalizations is by looking for signs of stress. Suppose they feel their space is being eroded, and you can observe your cat rubbing its body against everything. Stressed cats tend to be shyer, less accepting of others, hide more than usual, and display destructive behavior.
6. Asking to be Let Out
My cat will meow at night, begging to be let go outside. It might seem like a strange moment for your cat to be enticed to explore. It’s, after all, midnight! But cats are crepuscular creatures who are at their most active between dawn and dusk. This is when they are most active in hunting.
Cats will also be meowing to be allowed to go back inside after having exhausted from exploring the world outside. My cat sometimes is fond of exploring for hours. On the other hand, sometimes, she needs to be inside in a flash. This is why she demands that I shut and open the door randomly and unpredictably.
If the door to the interior of your home is locked, Your cat might meow to you to unlock the door. Is your cat able to go into an area and meow? They might like you to follow them! Cats also meow, even if they do not want to enter the room that is blocked off, and they don’t enjoy having the door shut.
7. Finding a Mate
Female cats meow when they are they are hot to let them outside. The signs of heat can be seen. In addition to the loud female meows are agitated with affection, are incredibly loving, and groom a lot. They also crawl close to the ground while elevating their tails, then putting their butts into the air. Their meows will not be random. It’s obvious what’s happening.
In contrast, male cats don’t have a heat cycle. When they reach maturity, they’re constantly in motion and can mat. So, their mating calls are more random. Male cats will randomly yowl when they spot females in active pursuit. This can happen at any time!
If you want to end your cat’s mating call, the best solution is neutering your pet. This usually happens in kittenhood. However, there is no time too late to fix your cat. It’s always possible to set a cat. A female cat who has been spayed will not go through heat cycles, while males will not want to mate, and their screams will decrease.
8. Petting or Playtime
Another reason why my cat frequently meows is when she is looking for me to play or pet with her. Since their demands for playing and petting aren’t as apparent as an empty food bowl or a dirty litter tray, these meows may appear randomly. But cats have needs that are mental in addition to physical needs.
Cats require time with their pet owners and are fearless in demanding more attention if they need to get more. Additionally, playing with your cat throughout your daytime hours, the more exhausted they’ll get. A tired cat is quiet! Playtime is also an effective method for calming a cat in the evening If they’re agitated and active while trying to sleep.
9. Agitation and Aggression
Cats also are known to meow when they’re upset. If this is what is causing the issue, you’ll notice your cat meow randomly. The loud meows are usually coupled with hissing and growling. The cats may also display changes in their body language, for example, fur lying on the end of their tail, ears resting against the head, or dilating pupils.
Certain things or circumstances have been causing agitation, and this shift in vocalizations and behavior shouldn’t be unexpected. But, redirected aggression is among the most erratic and confusing kinds of attack cats exhibit. This is when cats become dissatisfied by stimuli beyond their reach, like birds flying outside windows.
Your cat may be furious at the idea. While it’s not in the home, it may be challenging to determine what is causing your cat so upset. If you attempt to interact with your cat in this condition and it is aggressive, it could attack you! Be aware of those other indicators of aggression that I’ve already discussed. If you notice any of them, keep away from your pet until it’s calmed.
How to Stop a Cat Meowing Randomly
If you’re trying to stop your pet from randomly crying without reason, you must understand that there’s always a reason behind it – you may be unaware of the cause! Determine what your cat is trying to convey. Then, follow the suggestions below to get rid of the behavior
- Install a light for nighttime use for cats suffering from FCD to help reduce their agitation at nighttime
- Consult your vet regarding the medication you are taking for FCD to ease the discomfort and confusion.
- Bring your cat to the vet to have any ailments or injuries taken care of
- Please don’t feed your cat every time she begs for food. This will aid in breaking the begging habit
- Buy an automatic feeder to ensure your cat isn’t dependent on you for food
- Think about the possibility of having a pet carer come to take care of your cat in case you feel you are lonely
- Please make use of collars with calming properties that calm stressed felines to assist them in managing stress
- There are plenty of places to hide your cat can hide in whenever they are stressed.
- If you can, locate and eliminate the stressor to calm your pet’s nervous meows
- Think about setting up the feline flap in case your cat has a habit of meowing to be allowed into and out
- Create an outside cat cage for your pet so they are secure and safe exploring the world outside
- Do you have your cat neutered? your cat is meowing in an attempt to look for a mate
- Spend moments with your pet every day, if it’s seeking to be played with or petted with
- Utilize deterrents and remove window shades to remove the triggers that cause fear.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
As you can observe, “Why does my cat randomly meow?” is a question that has numerous possible solutions. In every case, your pet is trying to grab your attention and communicate something to you.
But, you should be aware of the kind of meow they use, their behavior, body language, and the surroundings to understand what this is. When your pet is older, you can be sure they suffer from FCD. Other possible causes include eating, mating or aggression, stress, loneliness, illness, or just a simple greeting.
Suppose your cat’s meows seem to be a completely random attempt to discover the exact reason. Once you’ve identified the cause, you can apply the correct suggestions from the above list to calm your cat and ensure that your cat’s needs are being fulfilled.
Leave a Comment