No One Likes a Chatty Cat, Especially One That Yells in the Middle of the Night…Is your cat a chatterbox? Bella, the little cat from Little L’s house, is exactly that kind of annoying creature. From 1 a.m. to 7 a.m., Bella would patrol different rooms, meowing loudly in each one. If Little L ignored her, Bella would only get louder. After months of sleepless nights, Little L was on the verge of a breakdown.After taking Bella for a full health check-up and confirming she wasn’t in pain, Little L turned to a behavior therapist for help. Following the advice, Little L added several cat trees around the house, started playing with Bella at set times each day, and fed her before bed. After sticking to this routine for a while, Little L finally managed to get a full night’s sleep again.
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Why Does My Cat Talk So Much? Is She Upset with Me?
Don’t worry, a talkative cat isn’t necessarily upset with you; she just wants to be heard. A 2019 study found that pet cats can make up to 19 different sounds to communicate with their owners. A normal cat will meow a few times a day, but if your cat is constantly meowing, she might be experiencing hypervocalization, which is excessive talking and could indicate something’s wrong. There are several common reasons for a cat to become overly talkative:She may be in pain or discomfort.Aging or sensory decline may cause anxiety or fear.She could be trying to get your attention or asking for something.Exceptions: Siamese and some Asian cat breeds are naturally more vocal.It’s important to note that this natural talkativeness may not be fixed through training.
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What Should You Do If You Have a Chatterbox Cat?
First Task — Check Your Cat’s Health.If your cat suddenly starts meowing excessively, the first thing to do is to check her over yourself. There’s usually a reason for this change in behavior. Inspect areas that might be easy to overlook, like her belly, ears, and paw pads. If you find any issues, take care of them immediately. If nothing seems wrong, but your cat continues to meow, it’s time to take her to the vet for a thorough check-up to rule out hidden health issues. Some chronic conditions that may cause excessive meowing include hyperthyroidism, chronic hepatitis, chronic kidney disease, urinary tract infections, and hearing loss.As a pet owner, it’s crucial to observe your cat’s mental and physical condition regularly — her eating habits, bathroom habits, grooming, and overall behavior. This will help provide your vet with useful information when you take her in for a check-up.If your older cat suddenly starts meowing, make sure to take her to the vet to ensure that her vocalization isn’t due to pain, hormonal imbalances, or high blood pressure. If your cat’s excessive meowing is due to sensory and perception decline, which may cause anxiety or fear, consult your vet for proper guidance.In short, the priority is to treat any health issues. If your cat is healthy and the excessive meowing isn’t caused by pain or separation anxiety, here are some tips for dealing with a chatty cat:Distract her before the meowing starts: Anticipate when your cat is about to start meowing and redirect her attention. You can play with her using a new cat wand or her favorite automatic butterfly toy. Once she gets tired, offer her some food so she can take a nap afterward.Establish good eating habits: Feed your cat at consistent times, in smaller amounts, more frequently throughout the day. This will prevent hunger-related meowing caused by irregular meal times.Provide enrichment and playtime: Spend 5-10 minutes playing with your cat every morning and evening (without distractions like your phone). Before you leave the house, make sure to enrich her environment. Secure cat trees, place safe toys like catnip-filled balls, treat mazes, and food-dispensing toys in different areas of your home. If possible, hang a bird feeder outside the window for your cat to enjoy watching the “live TV” show.Observe your cat’s environment and reactions: If your cat starts meowing excessively due to environmental changes, such as loud neighbors or construction noise, ensure she has a cozy, cave-like bed to hide in. You can also play soothing harp music and use pheromone diffusers to help calm her down.
If Your Cat’s Chattiness is a Behavioral Issue, Be Ready for the Long Haul.If your cat’s excessive meowing is due to a behavioral problem, then you, as the pet owner, need to prepare for a long-term effort. Improving a cat’s talkative behavior isn’t something that can be fixed overnight, so patience is key.
