My Siamese Cat Won’t Stop Meowing?
Few things touch the heart of cat owners more than those first few mews of a newborn kitten. But in reality, the language of a cat has much more to do with humans than with cats. With over thousands of years of domestication, the modern cats as we know them have turned the humble meow into a unique way of communicating with people, rather than it being used to communicate with other cats. This employment of exclusive human to feline communication is a thing of mystery.
Rather than being vocal, cats will communicate with each other through body language, body positioning, scent-marking, and facial expression, as well as through chirps, purrs, hisses, and howls. So, it’s not usual to see a cat meowing to each other if there are no people around. Animal experts believe that meows are reserved for people — used to communicate a cat’s state of mind and emotions. It’s also used to convey other needs, such as wanting to be fed, petted, or needing in or out.
With all of this meowing meant just for us, you’d think we’d be a little happier to hear it from our cats regularly. However, if your cat’s vocalizations are getting a bit too much for you to take, here are some common potential causes, as well as some techniques that may help to quell all the cat-speak.
Meowing for food
It’s probably no surprise that your Siamese cat may sometimes meow when they get hungry. To some degree, this behavior is considered normal; for example, you may hear your cat meow while you’re opening up their food can. However, if they suddenly start meowing considerably more at around mealtime, or throughout the day, then it’s best to get them checked out by the vet to make sure something hasn’t changed with their health.
Crying for attention
When humans get bored or anxious, we may be prone to make small talk to pass the time. Your cat is no different. If they have a lack of things to do or play with, then they could very well bring let you know about it. If late-night yowling is starting to become the norm, then there are some actions you can take which should help keep your cat occupied with doing things other than vocalizing.
You shouldn’t leave your cat alone for long periods of time without anything for them to do.
When trying to help your cat fight boredom, try getting involved in your cat’s life a little more. Think about integrating regular play sessions into your cat’s day, or trying treasure hunts with puzzle toys that hold treats, or begin a program of clicker training that can modify some undesired behaviors. The Siamese cat breed is considered to be chattier compared to other breeds, so it’s important for potential owners to be aware of what they might be getting into before choosing the breed.
Owner Encouragement
Some cat owners enjoy the sound of their cat’s voice. It’s often the case that when cat owners like the meowing, they try reinforcing it with treats or attention. However, there could be times when the meowing is problematic, i.e., early in the morning or late at night.
Trying to train your cat to unlearn the behavior could be difficult, and the fact that some cat owners love holding conversations with their cats doesn’t help in the long run. It’s common for cats and people to answer back and forth to each other, holding ‘conversations,’. Always be careful if you want to hold a conversation with your cat, as it works both ways.
Stress and anxiety
A stressed cat is likely to voice their stress loudly. Has your cat recently had a big change in their life, such as a new baby or a new pet? Generally, cats can be sensitive to change and can become stressed in new situations. If you believe that your cat is stressed because of a recent change, then give them lots of love, attention, and quiet one-on-one time to help ease their stress.
Advanced Age
Just like humans, as cats age, they may lose some of their faculties. There can be a number of factors that could cause an older cat to meow more often or louder. A cat that’s losing their hearing may vocalise louder, as they can’t monitor the level of noise they’re making.
Behavioural and physical changes that are related to age could manifest as stress, anxiety, compulsive disorders, and even litter box problems; any one of these physical or mental changes may lead to changes in your cat’s vocalization.
Sometimes older cats can be found meowing at night while sitting, or facing a corner. Whenever you notice changes in their behavior, including meowing, then you should get your cat checked out by a veterinarian.
Pain and other medical factors
Another reason for increased vocalization could be caused by pain. Finding the source of the pain can be hard to pinpoint, as cats are usually good at hiding when they’re hurting. The pain could be dental, orthopaedic, or abdominal, or something else. For some cats, being vocal is their way of saying that something’s wrong. And That’s why it’s important to get your cat checked out by a vet to ensure they aren’t suffering.
Desire to breed
If your cat isn’t fixed, a female could yowl when she’s in heat and a male may yowl when he smells a female in heat. Yowling is a way for cats to try and attract a mate.
If your cat isn’t fixed, then it’s recommended to take them to the vet, to get fixed as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Always take your cat to the vet if you’ve noticed a sudden change in behavior, like sudden excessive meowing. The vet should be able to rule out possibilities like disorientation and illness and will help get your cat cured if there is anything wrong.
Avoid punishing your Siamese Cat for meowing, as it won’t work, and it will only make your cat distrust you. Don’t give in, either. If you’ve ruled out any medical conditions and your cat is meowing for attention or food and receives it from you, then they’ll learn that this technique works, and you’ll only be trapped in a continuous cycle of meowing for the rest of your life together.
But when in doubt, always check with your local vet first, and show your cat lots of love and patience.
