While getting a new kitten is a rewarding addition to your new family, chances are they will have some behaviors that you will want to curb. If you have noticed that your new kitten is meowing incessantly, there are steps that you can take to reduce these vocalizations.
Excessive meowing isn’t fun for anyone to experience, regardless of how much you love your new kitten. If you have a talkative cat and are looking for ways to calm your kitten down, it’s important to know that there are things that you can do that will make a difference.
When you first bring your new kitten home, you’re still learning more about their behaviors and what makes them who they are. However, if there are several behaviors you are not happy about, it’s important to know that there are steps you can take to reduce the amount of meowing.
You might also be wondering why your cat is meowing in the first place, and that’s definitely a question that is worth investigating. If you are looking for suggestions on how to handle excessive meowing, continue reading to learn more.
To begin, this article will give you insight into why kittens meow in the first place. There are a variety of culprits that can cause your kitten to indulge in excessive meowing.
After that, this article will provide you with the information that you need to help your kitten quit this habit. You also might be wondering if you should take your cat to the vet — and that question will be answered, too.
Why do kittens meow?
There is not just one reason why kittens meow. In fact, there are a plethora of potential causes for excessive vocalization. Some of these are connected to medical conditions, and other times it’s simply because your cat is seeking social connection.
If you are concerned about why your kitten is meowing so much, it’s never a bad idea to reach out to a trusted veterinarian. They can help you get to the bottom of the cause of your kitten’s vocalizations and could suggest a course of action to help reduce this behavior.
They want attention
One reason why kittens meow is because they are seeking attention. It is believed that cats have lived in close contact with human beings for 10,000 years. As a result, these two species have a close connection. In that time, cats have developed a unique way to communicate with their owners.
Cats have evolved to communicate with humans through a variety of methods. One way that they are able to effectively do this is by using specific vocalizations. If your cat is seeking human attention, they will meow to get you to pay attention to them. This is their way of communicating that they want you to notice them.
They’re hungry or thirsty
Cats aren’t able to use words to express their feelings, so they have to rely on their vocalizations. As a result, if your cat wants more food or water, they can emit a “meow” to communicate this to you, their owner.
If you find that your cat is meowing and you notice that they do not have sufficient food or water, this could be the reason why the kitten is making a significant amount of noise.
If you are feeding your cat a sufficient amount of food and giving them enough to drink, and they are still vocalizing, it’s a good idea to check in with your vet to ensure that there is nothing wrong with your new kitten.
They want to breed
Cats want to breed, and as a result, your cat can be vocalizing to indicate that. This is especially relevant for a male cat that is unneutered. Cats that fit this description will sometimes meow extremely loudly. They may also spray urine on items in the household.
Male unneutered cats are also at an increased risk of running away. Getting your cat neutered is an excellent idea for several reasons. If you have questions about when you should get your cat neutered, ask your vet for additional information.
They’re saying hello
As mentioned earlier, cats use vocalizations as their main way to communicate with their doting owners. In fact, cats mainly meow for their human counterparts — not really for other cats. It’s entirely possible that the reason that your cat is meowing is simply to say hello to you.
They’re stressed
One reason why cats meow is to indicate to their owner that they are stressed out. In some cases, your kitten might be experiencing separation anxiety: either from their mother cat or from their owner.
If you fear that this is the reason why your cat is meowing in excess, you might want to consider if they are exhibiting other symptoms that are consistent with separation anxiety.
They’re sick
Unfortunately, sometimes your cat is meowing because they are unwell and trying to signal this to you. If your cat has other symptoms of illness besides excessive meowing, you should take them to the vet.
Your vet can ensure that there’s nothing else going on, and they’re simply meowing for another reason. For instance, your cat might have an overactive thyroid and be meowing to essentially ask for help.
However, cats can also purr when they are unwell and as a sign that they need help. This can prove to be confusing because oftentimes, people think that purring is a sign that cats are content. Ultimately if you are ever concerned about your cat’s wellbeing, your best decision is to seek the professional advice of a vet.
How can I make my kitten stop meowing?
If you want your kitten to quit meowing, you might feel worried about paying an animal trainer a significant amount of money to help your cat stop this behavior.
However, it’s entirely possible that you can train your kitten to quit meowing excessively on your own. It’s not as complicated as it might seem, and as long as you are consistent with your training, your cat will stop meowing excessively sooner than later.
Stop giving them what they want
If your cat is meowing to simply get your attention, you should stop giving them what they want. Cats meow for their humans, so if you begin to show them that their meow does not have power over you, they could stop. Note that there is a difference between doing this and ignoring your cat’s meows in the first place.
No matter what, you shouldn’t ignore your cat’s vocalizations because they can be indicating that there is something wrong. However, if your cat is meowing because they desire food or attention, you can refuse to indulge in this behavior.
Do not give your pet their food until they stop meowing. Alternatively, you can refuse to give them attention until they quit meowing.
Address the underlying cause
As mentioned earlier, sometimes, the underlying cause that your cat is meowing is something medical-related. Therefore, you cannot ignore the fact that your cat is making excessive vocalizations because if you do, you are essentially ignoring the fact that there could be something medically wrong with them.
Consider their other symptoms. Is your cat demonstrating any other behaviors that suggest they are ill? Even if they are not, it’s best to get your new kitten to the vet as soon as you can so the vet themselves can make a decision.
Don’t ignore or punish them
Finally, you should never punish your cat or ignore the fact that they are attempting to communicate with you. Your cat is simply attempting to express something to you, so punishing them for doing so is a misstep.
When should I take my kitten to the vet?
There’s never a wrong time to take your cat to the vet if you are concerned that their meowing is abnormal. Kittens are more vulnerable to some illnesses, so it’s a great idea to check in with their vet and ensure that there’s nothing going on with your pet that would require medical treatment.
Dr. Laura Robinson, a Pawp veterinarian, also believes you should consider when the meowing started. “If this is a new behavior, I would recommend a vet visit,” she says. “Meowing loudly can be a sign of a medical problem like thyroid issues or pain.”
If you have any questions about your cat’s specific meowing, your vet can also suggest a course of action that you can follow. They could suggest training methods or other ways that you can reduce this behavior.
Pawp is proud to have knowledgeable, experienced vets that can provide you with insight about your kitten’s condition 24/7. The Pawp vets are available for telehealth appointments, and there’s never a wait or appointment necessary.
Kitten concerns
Having a new pet is exciting, but if your kitten is excessively meowing, you could be concerned that there is something going on underneath the surface that will require treatment.
The best way to ease your nerves and ensure that your pet gets the care that they deserve is by seeing a vet.
KITTEN MEOWING SOURCES:
Feline vocal communication | NIH
Stress Symptoms in Cats | Berkley
Reproduction - Felis catus | University of Wisconsin La Crosse
Separation Anxiety | OSU Indoor Pet Initiative