Why Is My Cat Meowing Non-stop?

Cats meow non-stop for a number of different reasons. It might be that they’re just really excited to see you come home after a long day! Or, it might be that they’re bored, lonely, injured, or sick; so they meow continuously to seek attention and help.

 

Whatever the case may be, it’s important for all cat owners (or ‘cat parents’) to understand the possible reasons why their cat may start meowing non-stop.

In this article, we’re going to explore all the possible reasons for this sort of feline behavior.

As we’ll see later, your cat might meow at you non-stop because:

• It’s happy to see you.
• It wants attention.
• It’s boring and lonely.
• It wants something from you.
• It might have health problems or injuries.
• It might be looking for a mate
• It might be getting too old.

Towards the end of the article, we’ll also explore a few ways that you can respond to a cat that’s meowing non-stop. That way, you’ll be able to improve your relationship with your cat and minimize that excessive meowing!

Let’s get started!

 

Happy To See You!

 

If you’ve come home after a long day at work and wonder “Why is my cat meowing non-stop?”, the first thing you should consider is that perhaps the cat is trying to greet you.

For many of us cat parents, we’re forced to leave our cats at home alone while we go out to work the whole day. Our poor cats might have no one to keep them company, so they sleep the day away awaiting our return.

Some people think that cats aren’t affectionate, but we know that’s far from the truth. Cats can be very clingy, and they’ll show it by meowing at us constantly when we first walk through our front doors.

This is no reason to worry. Just spend some one-on-one time with your cat and they’ll quiet down after a while.

 

Wanting Attention

 

Somewhat related to the previous point, cats also meow non-stop when they want attention. If you want to be sure, pay attention to the cat’s body language and posture when they meow at you continuously.

Cats that want your attention will also rub their bodies against you. Then, they might roll on the floor if you’re walking, or jump on your lap when you sit down. These are all harmless behaviors, and they’re just ways for cats to tell you they want your love and affection.

 

Boredom and Loneliness

 

We, humans, have to leave our homes at some point, and sometimes we do it for extended periods of time. After a while, cats will feel lonely without us, especially if there are no other humans or felines around for them to play with.

Stuck in a big empty home, cats may start meowing non-stop when they’re feeling bored and lonely.

How do you tell that they’re bored and lonely? Well, you have to listen to the tone of the meowing. The meow of a bored and lonely cat will sound just a little bit sadder than a regular, happy meow.

 

Wanting Or Needing Something From You

 

Sometimes, cats will frantically meow non-stop and come closer to you when they want or need something you have. This is most common when you’re about to serve cats their food, or if you’re sitting down about to eat a nice tuna sandwich.

You see, cats love certain smells. So if they see you eating something that smells delicious to them, they’ll start meowing intensely to beg you for a piece of whatever you’re having.

There are a few non-verbal cues that go along with this type of meowing. You’ll notice that cats might start sniffing the air a lot harder than usual. Their pupils may dilate and they’ll stare in the direction of the thing that they want.

 

Health Problems Or Injuries

 

Unfortunately, cats also meow non-stop when they’re in pain or if they’re feeling sick. If you think that this is the case, it’s important that you try to narrow down the problem. You can do this by paying close attention to the cat’s body language.

For example, non-stop meowing from a cat that’s walking with a limp is a clear sign that they’ve painfully hurt their leg.

However, if a cat is meowing non-stop and they don’t move much from their resting spot, it could be a sign that something’s wrong internally.

Whatever the case may be, if you can see that your cat’s not feeling well and they’re meowing non-stop, you should call or visit your vet as soon as possible.

 

Cat Is In Heat, Looking For A Mate

 

Cats also meow non-stop when they’re in heat and looking for a mate. You’ll notice this type of behavior during mating season when you start to hear neighborhood cats meowing loudly into the late hours of the morning.

There are two ways to identify this type of meowing: the tone of the meow, and the body language of the cat. For starters, this kind of meowing is somewhat deeper (and some would say more desperate-sounding) than regular meowing. Some people may refer to this specific tone of meowing as ‘yowling’.

The accompanying body language of the cat is also a telltale sign. Cats that are in heat will often roll around on the ground a lot, both in front of their humans and their potential mates. What they’re doing is demonstrating an exceptionally high amount of affection when they’re in heat and searching for a mate.

 

 

Old Age

 

Older felines sometimes start meowing non-stop and for no apparent reason. Sadly, this is a side effect of their old age. 

When cats get old, they might lose their eyesight or their ability to hear. Some might also become senile or suffer from dementia (yes, they suffer from these things too!).

Under these conditions, they might meow non-stop as they’re feeling lost or confused.

 

What You Should Or Shouldn’t Do If Your Cat Meows Non-stop

 

If you think you know why your cat is meowing non-stop, now it’s time to talk about how you should respond to it. Different situations will require different responses, but the first thing you have to know is what not to do if your cat meows non-stop.

 

What You Shouldn’t Do If Your Cat Meows Non-stop

 

First of all, it’s important to remember that your cat isn’t meowing for no reason. Your cats aren’t trying to be annoying, and they’re not trying to make you angry. So, you must never respond to your cat angrily or punish them in any way.

Punishing or hitting your cat is not an effective way to train them to do anything. Instead, you’ll train your cat to be scared of you, which is not an excellent way to have a relationship with your pet. Instead, it’s best to find and resolve whatever is causing this unwanted behavior.

You shouldn’t ignore your cat, either. Don’t forget, cats might only be a small part of your world, but to them, you’re their whole world. Their non-stop meowing is a way for them to communicate a need or a want, and you should try to react with care and love.

 

If Your Cat Wants Your Attention

 

If your cat is trying to get your attention, give it to them! In this regard, cats are very much like children. So they’ll appreciate it when you take some time to sit down and play with them. You can even talk to your cats. 

They might not understand what you’re saying, but they’ll feel more loved when you communicate with them through verbal and non-verbal cues at the same time.

Also, if they’re meowing because they want some of your food, you can always give them a small taste. Just be sure that what you’re giving your cat is feline-friendly!

 

If Your Cat Is Hurt Or Sick

 

If you think that your cat is hurt or sick, the best thing you can do is consult your vet. You can give them a call if it’s after-hours, or you could bring them into the vet’s office for a check-up immediately.

Your vet will probably ask you for more details, so pay attention to the cat’s non-verbal cues as well. Is the cat limping? Or is the cat licking a part of their body more than usual? These are signs that could tell you where the pain or discomfort is coming from on their body.

In the meantime, before you bring the cat to the vet, you can try to make them as comfortable as possible. Sick and injured cats prefer quiet, dark places where they can feel safe.

 

How Do You Stop A Cat In Heat From Meowing?

 

If you own cats, you should get them neutered or spayed. That’s the one way of stopping them from going into heat and meowing non-stop in the middle of the night, looking for a mate.

Doing that has other benefits as well. When you get your cat ‘fixed’, as they say, you’ll reduce the overall population of stray cats in your neighborhood.

Not only will that reduce the number of strays roaming your neighborhood, but it also means reducing the spread of feline diseases as well. In the end, all the pet cats in the area will also be much healthier and safer.