Cats meow to say hello, ask for help, show dislike or pain, or ask for attention. You're the one who determines when a cat's whining needs attention, so it's important to check the water tank immediately and for any other problems. However, as many cat owners also know, those pitiful-sounding feline whines are sometimes just their seduction for extra food or attention. Come up with a plan to meet your cat's needs without having to make this adorable creature think that a persistent meow will melt the master's heart into fulfilling his wish. Remember, retraining a cat takes time, and certain breeds, such as Siamese cats, tend to be cranky even when they're fine.
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Method 1 of 4: Reducing Cat Meowing Due to Food Problems
Step 1. Do not break the feeding routine
Cats often meow for food. If you respond, the cat will learn that this method works. Better, feed your cat on a schedule. Don't wait for him to meow loudly.
- Most healthy adult cats are okay with eating 1 or 2 meals each day. However, these cats prefer to eat less but more often. Kittens under 6 months need to eat at least 3 times a day.
- This schedule only applies to food, not water. Make it easy for your cat to get drinking water at any time of the day or night.
Step 2. Don't respond to his advances
Indeed, this step requires a lot of patience because your cat's first response is to meow more often. You must allow this behavior to continue without giving any response, including negative feedback. Eventually your cat will learn that a longer meow won't do much to get your attention.
- If it's almost mealtime and your cat starts meowing, go to another room and close the door. Come out if the cat stops meowing and please fill the available food bowl.
- Some cats meow in the morning because they associate your waking with breakfast. Wait about ten minutes after getting up to stop the cat from thinking that way.
Step 3. Try using an automatic feeder
A feeder that dispenses food regularly on a set schedule will distract your cat from you. This will also help your cat learn a mealtime routine.
Step 4. Try using a food puzzle
If your cat's behavior doesn't improve after 1 or 2 weeks of using a strict feeding schedule, try measuring your cat's daily dry food requirements into a “food puzzle.” These tools give your cat access to food at any time without having to bother you. However, unlike a cat's feeding bowl that is always filled to the brim, a food puzzle will stimulate the cat while preventing it from overeating.
Step 5. Visit your vet to discuss a special diet for your cat
If your cat keeps meowing, ask your vet for advice. Supplements that contain fiber can be used as an option to help make cats fuller. However, remember, do not give this supplement without the permission of a veterinarian. It may take you several tries to get the right type of fiber, but if you give your cat too much fiber, it can cause digestive problems. However, some cats respond well to small, high-protein foods.
The veterinarian can also examine the cat for possible health problems that are causing excessive hunger
Method 2 of 4: Preventing Cats Meowing at Night
Step 1. Play with the cat before bed
If your cat keeps meowing at night, it could be because of boredom or loneliness. Before bed, do 45 minutes of exercise with the cat, such as catching a cat toy, followed by 15 minutes of pampering or play activities that have a calming effect on the cat.
If you don't have time to play, your beloved cat will have a hard time getting rid of the nagging boredom. You can still try the methods below, but it's still best to find a family member or pet caretaker who can play with the cat on a regular basis
Step 2. Give your cat activities at night
Interactive cat toys or food puzzles can grab a cat's attention. You can also hide food or toys around the house so the cat can find them.
Do not increase the amount of food more than usual in a 24-hour period. Any food that enters the cat's body at night should not be given during the day
Step 3. Prepare a bed for the cat
If your cat keeps meowing in your room all night and you don't want her to sleep on the same bed, be sure to make the perfect bed for her. Most cats prefer to sleep on top shelves, in boxes, or in corners--places where the cat can hide without blocking his view of the room. Also add clothes that still keep your scent.
Step 4. Think about the possibility of adding a cat to your home
Many cats are happy in their solitude. However, meowing at night is a sign of loneliness. Adding a cat can treat inattention at night. However, it is also difficult to predict whether the two cats can live in harmony together. If you really want to adopt a new cat, introduce the cat into your home and its inhabitants slowly, starting with living in separate rooms. This method is quite effective if your cat is already used to hanging out with other cats, or you have adopted a new cat from the same place of origin.
Step 5. Make sure the cat can see the road
Older cats usually have difficulty seeing the road because their eyesight is getting worse. If your cat starts meowing at night as she gets older, install a light to help her see the road. There is nothing wrong with taking your cat to the doctor to make sure there are no serious medical problems.
Method 3 of 4: Checking for Other Causes
Step 1. Check the cat's litter box
It could be that your cat is meowing because their litter box is very dirty. Remove solid cat litter daily and change the litter once or twice a week as needed. Having a regular grooming schedule is thought to increase the cat's comfort and prevent the animal from acting out of control.
Step 2. Help your cat adjust to the changes it faces
Moving to a new place, changing work schedules, changing the location of furniture, and adding a new pet in the house are all factors that cause cats to meow. Speed up this adjustment period by creating new routines, engaging in physical play with the cat, and providing a quiet hiding place for the cat to relax.
Step 3. Solve the problem of boredom or loneliness in cats
Some cats meow because they miss you or are in need of more affection. Try spending time petting or playing with your cat to ease these feelings.
- Try starting a play event when the cat is calm and not meowing. If you invite your cat to play while meowing, you are just as supportive of this behavior.
- If you don't have much time to play with your cat, maybe you can hire a pet sitter while you're out and about.
Step 4. Make a cat-only door
If your cat is used to going in and out of the house and constantly fussing to get out, just install a cat door. First measure the height and width of the cat, then install a special door for cats according to that size.
Cats who previously were more often in the open but then have to be constantly indoors are sure to protest. For that, you can install a fence so that the cat can still spend time outdoors safely
Step 5. Make sure your cat is not sick
If your cat meows excessively, it may be sick or not feeling well. Try a quick check-up on your cat, or see a doctor right away.
- Pay attention to the cat's eyes and nose. Look for signs of discharge.
- Examine the cat's stomach. Feel it gently from the spine towards the stomach. Pay attention to whether the cat feels pain or discomfort when you gently touch the abdomen.
- Gently examine the cat's paws and paws. be careful, Don't force the cat's paw. Bend at the joints, just like a cat moves when it walks and moves. Watch out if your cat is in pain or shows discomfort when you examine her paws, joints, and paws.
Step 6. Visit the doctor to check if your cat has been neutered
Sometimes a cat that misses a friend's presence and hasn't been neutered will continue to meow throughout the breeding season; In the Northern Hemisphere, the breeding season lasts from February to September. Find out with the vet if your cat is mating and if a sterile procedure can solve your problem.
Step 7. Give older cats more serious care
Older cats often meow louder and longer. Visit the vet immediately if your cat shows any of the following signs:
- Difficulty looking around, no longer using the litter box, having trouble sleeping and eating schedules. These signs can actually indicate cognitive dysfunction in cats or normal effects of aging such as impaired mobility.
- Changes in appetite or drinking, weight loss, hyperactivity, lethargy, excessive urination, or vomiting. These signs indicate possible hyperthyroidism or kidney disease, two common problems.
- Hearing loss can lead to a lack of "volume control" ability, so it's natural for a cat to meow louder and louder. Your cat may have trouble hearing, appear startled when you approach from behind, or scratch their ears more often.
Step 8. If your cat is meowing unusually and excessively, see a doctor as this could be a symptom of a more serious problem such as an overworked thyroid gland
Method 4 of 4: Retraining Your Cat
Step 1. Don't respond to a cat meowing for no particular reason
If all of your cat's needs have been met but are still meowing just for attention (or food they don't really need), don't respond. The cat will indeed meow louder and more insistent, but it will only last for a short while until he realizes that his behavior is no longer attracting your attention.
To do so, you will need patience and consistency. If you give up after your cat has meowed for an hour, your pet will learn that an hour of meowing isn't a waste of time
Step 2. Avoid giving negative feedback
Do not yell or yell at a cat that is meowing. This method does not necessarily deter your cat from meowing, including if you drive him away. In fact, the cat will fear you more and more until it becomes stressful and makes his behavior worse.
Step 3. Reward when your cat manages to calm down with a clicker exercise
In addition to ignoring the cat meowing, it helps if you also give a positive response. Explain which behavior you prefer by giving the cat a treat as soon as it stops meowing. This gift should be given immediately so that the cat knows what you want. The best way to do this is to use a clicker exercise device that sounds as soon as the cat stops meowing, followed by a treat or other reward.
Step 4. Little by little, add the duration of the silence
Continue to train your cat with the clicker in a few short sessions (maximum 15 minutes for each training period). Once your cat seems interested in trying new behaviors for a reward, gradually increase the weight of the exercise. Start pressing the clicker and reward only when the cat manages to stay still for 3 seconds, then 4 seconds, and so on. If you run several training sessions a day, your cat will learn to calm down in less than a week.
Once your cat understands it, you can introduce the "quiet" command to explain your wishes. If your cat starts meowing during a training session, say "calm down" firmly and turn your face away until the meow stops
Step 5. Stop rewarding food
Once your cat is no longer meowing excessively, start replacing the food treat with a petting head or a non-food treat. Do it slowly until the cat returns to a normal diet.
Step 6. Show your response to the cat's new behavior
After all, cats still need your attention. It's up to you how to handle it. If your cat starts to sit quietly next to you when it wants something, respond immediately. Otherwise, your cat will start meowing loudly again. It's also possible that the cat will develop a new behavior, such as scratching your paw. If that's the case, it's up to you whether you want to maintain the cat's new behavior or stop it.
Your cat will of course still meow at times. There's nothing wrong with responding to cat meows that signal a problem, such as an empty drinking trough
Tips
- If your cat has no medical, emotional, or environmental issues, your pet may just want to be petted. If you do, your cat will be even more convinced that loud meowing can help her get what she wants. If that's the case, it's better to hold yourself back and be strong enough to listen to his whining (it's okay if you want to wear earplugs to sleep), and give him a snack if the cat doesn't meow.
- If the cat is still meowing, get him checked. Maybe your cat is hungry or tired.
