If you allow it, cats can be talkative. This is especially true if you have a Siamese cat, a breed that can be quite capable giving you an earful of meowing and howling. Of course, any breed of cat can be chatty from time to time.
Sometimes the kitty conversation is welcome, and we all loving having two-way chats with our cats from time to time. However, at three in the morning, the calling, meowing, and howling can be a bit much. Even more so if the neighbors start to complain.
No one wants to punish kitty for doing what comes naturally, and vocalizations are perfectly natural. So what’s the solution?
Well, part of it is knowing what your cat needs. Chances are good that they’re trying to tell you something, and you need to listen. Here are a few ways to stop the cat noises from getting out of control.
How To Help Kitty Quiet Down
The following are tips on how to stop excessive cat calling, meowing, and howling:
- Feed them properly. One of the reasons cats call is that they’re hungry. Make sure they have enough food, but don’t overfeed if kitty keeps begging. Talk to your vet about appropriate serving sizes and diet.
- Give them the cold shoulder. We know that cats can be big-time attention seekers. Some will continually call and meow until they get your attention. If you want to stop this act, ignore them. Only turn back to them once they’re calmed down and quiet again.
- Check on your cat for any pain. If it seems your cat is meowing for no reason at all, it might be that your pet is in pain. Check your cat’s entire body. If the meowing persists, and you still can’t find the source of pain, it’s time to bring your pet to the vet.
- Spay/neuter your cat. At the age of five to six months, a cat reaches sexual maturity. As a result, they howl and meow. For this reason and many others, spay or neuter your cat.
- Get a catio or outdoor cat enclosure. A lot of cats, even those who are pampered and well-loved, may still want to be allowed to go outside. And then, once they’re out there, they’ll meow to be let in again. Invest in a cat door and have it lead to a secure outdoor area so your cats may go in and out as they please.
- Take extra care of older cats. At night, older cats sometimes seem to meow and howl for no reason at all. This may be due to an illness similar to Alzheimer’s in humans. Cats howl because they experience disorientation, and sometimes they simply cannot find their way back to their own turf. Consult your vet if your cat appears lost or disoriented, and stay tuned to their whereabouts if they roam outdoors.
Do you have any tips for helping cats quiet down? Does your cat make noisy vocalizations? Let us know in the comments below!