Annoying Cat Behavior & Meowing

Cats meow for a number of reasons.

Many people consider cats to be part of their family. Like any true member of the family, sometimes cat behavior becomes annoying or inconvenient. It is perfectly acceptable to feel frustration when your cat engages in annoying behaviors. Learning why cats behave the way they do and learning methods to cope with these behaviors cuts down on frustration and fosters a better understanding between you and your feline companion.

Reasons

Cats misbehave for a number of reasons. These reasons may not always be readily apparent to the cat's owners. Because a cat cannot speak to communicate needs or wants, the cat must find other ways of communicating those desires to its caretakers. Often, the reasons cats engage in annoying behaviors or incessant meowing is to catch the attention of someone within their home and alert them of a problem or worry. Sometimes meowing is not linked to a desire for attention; cats may also meow out of pain, fear, anger or anxiety.

Types

The first step to solving annoying cat behavior and meowing is to figure out why the cat is behaving the way it is. Examine your cat's environment and daily routine to find the source of any problems. Check to ensure your cat has a clean litter box, fresh food and an adequate supply of water. Consider whether you are spending enough quality time with your cat, suggests the book "Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat." Also examine whether your cat has enough outlets for energy, such as toys and places to explore within your home. Annoying and constant meowing may also be the result of hormonal activity in unaltered cats. Cats who are not spayed or neutered begin to vocalize more often when the urge to mate kicks in.

Considerations

Some behaviors deemed annoying may be chalked up to "cats will be cats." Cats tend to be most active at dawn and dusk, times of the day when most humans are still asleep or winding down for the night. This is a simple matter of a cat's hunting instincts kicking in, according to "The Domestic Cat: Biology of its Behavior." Wild cats hunt during these times, and domestic cats may default to this behavior. Cats are also prone to sudden bursts of energy, which may inconvenience owners. Also, some cats are more vocal than others. The tendency to vocalize is a matter of the individual cat's personality.

Potential Problems

Cats behave erratically and may vocalize more frequently when they are ill or experiencing a problem, according to "Feline Behavior." Some cats make an odd yodeling sound before coughing up a hairball, while others screech when experiencing pain or shock. Behavior patterns change in accordance with stress, such as the arrival of a new pet or baby, a change in the home or a recent move. Speak to a veterinary professional for help with eliminating potential problems.

Solutions

Ensure that your cat is getting enough quality time. Make sure the cat's habitat and personal space are clean and well maintained. If you have not done so already, consider having your cat spayed or neutered. If it is determined that your cat is misbehaving due to stress, consider investing in a feline pheromone diffuser such as Feliway. Pheromone diffusers release calming chemicals into the air that mimic a cat's own scents and are undetectable to humans.

References

• "Feline Behavior"; Bonnie V. G. Beaver; 2003
• "Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat"; Gary Landsberg BSc DVM Dipl ACVB, Wayne Hunthausen BA DVM, Lowell Ackerman DVM PhD Dipl ACVD MBA MPA; 2003
• "The Domestic Cat: The Biology of its Behavior"; Dennis C. Turner, Patrick Bateson; 2000
• "Cats for Dummies"; Gina Spadafori; 2004
• "The Natural Cat: The Comprehensive Guide to Optimum Care"; Anitra Frazier, Norma Eckroate; 2008