How to get my cat to stop meowing

One of the most common complaints about cats from owners is that cats often meow or shout loudly, sometimes accompanied by other attention-seeking behaviors. Usually the reason for this in cats may be physical or mental, or both. So you need to do some homework to find out why your cat is acting this way.

Howling in the middle of the night

While no one knows exactly why cats meow like this, the behavior is most common in older cats due to cognitive impairment (aging) and loss of vision or hearing. This kind of melancholy-sounding meow may appear in cats of different ages. When the cat suddenly runs around the house and the fur on its back is turning, it may cause the cat to be physically stimulated. Other medical conditions, including hyperthyroidism, cancer, nerve problems, and pain, can cause overproduction. For the above situations, veterinarians can intervene and treat cats.

Act like a spoiled child for food and rewards

While treats can’t truly eliminate a cat’s hunger, cats, like humans, can sometimes become addicted to something. Especially with snacks like tuna flakes, they will work hard to satisfy their cravings.

Solution

Occasional treats are not harmful to your cat’s health. For overweight cats, giving them small, low-calorie snacks when they want to eat, especially high-protein foods, is a viable alternative. The snacks cats eat every day should not exceed 10% of their daily calories. Multiple meals a day is actually more suitable for cats than eating one large meal at a fixed time in the morning and evening. Arrange three to four meals a day, feed canned food to the cat, and pick up the remaining food after 20-30 minutes. If it’s because of the cat’s preference or your time, you can put some dry food overnight.

Grab your arm or leg

Some cats will act like children and want more attention from their owners. Therefore, they hug your arms and legs when you sit down or when you are getting up to walk.

Solution

Some cats simply need more attention from their owners. If you only have one cat at home, getting an extra cat to keep him company may be a good choice. If you don’t want to keep more cats, then try to arrange some time every day to play with the cats and pet them and hold them more. Cats like “routine,” so if they know when it’s time to play with them, they’re less likely to come and grab you and ask you to play with them.

Keep meowing

Some breeds of cats also meow frequently (Siamese and Oriental breeds are known for this trait). In fact, many cats enjoy chatting back and forth with their humans, and when you talk or meow to them, they will immediately meow back to you.

Solution

If you really enjoy talking to your cat, then enjoy it! But if you don’t particularly like a chattering cat, pay less attention to them when the cat is quiet. On the other hand, if your normally quiet cat suddenly starts meowing (or if a normally noisy cat suddenly stops meowing), then it may be trying to tell you that it’s in pain, or that their hearing is gradually declining. At this time you need to take your cat to the veterinarian.

Pica

While pica is not necessarily a behavior that attracts the owner’s attention, it does command the owner’s attention and relationship. Pica in cats usually manifests itself through sucking fur and chewing things. It is particularly dangerous if the cat accidentally chews plastic or rope-like objects. Hair sucking is a common behavior among certain breeds, including Siamese and Burmese. They are usually weaned prematurely or removed from their mothers prematurely. It is also common for cats to be weaned prematurely or removed from their mothers prematurely. For cats with pica, there seems to be a certain amount of pressure.

Solution

Since stress is the main cause of pica in cats, it needs to be eliminated or dealt with. Cat anxiety and stress can usually be addressed by regularly providing plenty of toys, cat climbing frames, or other items for relaxation and entertainment in a quiet environment. In rare cases, your veterinarian may be able to provide anti-anxiety medication. Pica can also be related to deficiencies in certain minerals, so make sure your kitty is eating a nutritionally balanced diet. In addition, owners can get used to picking up small pieces of plastic, rubber bands and other items to reduce the harmful items that cats chew, or they can spray some bitter apple spray or some anti-cat spray on these items to make cats less sensitive to these items. Item interest.

Scratching furniture

Sometimes, even if cats have a large number of “legal” scratching areas such as scratching posts or scratching posts, they will still scratch carpets or furniture.

Solution

Offer your cat scratching posts or other items in a variety of materials and shapes so they can find the texture they like best. Or you can use food to entice your cat to find a scratching post material they like, which will reduce the likelihood of them scratching the furniture.

Feline hyperesthesia syndrome

This situation is not very easy to understand. Sometimes cats can be treated by changing their diet, eliminating fleas or toxins in their bodies (which may be the cause), or putting your cat on a regular exercise schedule.

Stress and anxiety

Many cats’ attention-seeking behaviors may be because they are under stress or anxiety, especially if there have been recent changes in the household, including but not limited to:
move place
There is a newborn at home
New pet (dog or cat)
The owner lacks company because of a new job or vacation
Suddenly attacked by another cat
The owner or another cat in the household is sick
In these situations, it is crucial to provide a comfortable environment for your cat. Do your homework, understand your cat’s normal behavior, and pay close attention to changes in its behavior so that you can help them when they are seeking attention and acting out.