Mar 21, 2020

Cats crying may sound like a baby's cry, and it can be eerie to listen to, especially if you wake up to the sound in the middle of the night. You might lie awake in your bed and ponder, 'why do cats cry at night?' Don't worry; you are not alone in thinking why do cats cry. Several cat owners ask the same question regarding the cry of cats. So why do cats cry? This article will help you understand the different calls of cats and what they mean.

Why Do Cats Cry

A cat may cry for many reasons, and the cries differ from breed and age. Below are the top reasons why a cat cries.

  1. Hunger

Your kitty has a great sense of timing, especially when it comes to mealtimes. She may meow constantly, which comes in loud and rapid repetitions if her tummy is empty.

  1. Wanting Out

Your feline buddy will meow to get you to open the door for her. Cats tend to get your attention by meowing when it wants to get out of the room.

  1. Seeking Attention

Cats are attention seekers. They love the company of a playful companion in the form of humans. They will meow away till you give her some attention.

  1. Annoyance

An annoyed cat will meow to show you that she is not pleased with something. Sometimes, you may find your cat meowing in annoyance while holding her. This indicates that she wants to get away from your hold.

  1. Fear

Your delicate pussycat will resort to protest meowing if she is scared. The cry may turn to growling and hissing if something threatens her.

  1. Sickness

A cat that is sick may resort to meowing to show that it is uncomfortable. Pay close attention to your little buddy's cries and associate it with its body language.

Cats are prone to kidney problems and overactive thyroid. This can lead to excessive meowing.

  1. Chatty

Some cats are just chatty by nature. Excessive meowing are common in breeds like the Tonkinese, Bengal, Sphynx, and Siamese. This behavior worsens when you give attention.

sad cat tucked away in a bed

Why Do Cats Meow So Much?

Several factors induce excessive meowing in cats. It can stem up from factors like hunger to illness. When you are trying to figure out why do cats meow so much, it is essential to pay attention to its body language and associate it with its cries.

You may find your cat meowing at you like crazy when you come home after a day out. Don't let the excessive meowing annoy you. It is your pet's way of greeting you and welcoming you back home. They may even be trying to tell you how much they missed you while you were gone. Who knows!

Your cat will also constantly meow if it is lonely. If your cat is subject to being alone most of the time when you are out, a new pet would considerably lessen the cries. Stress can also turn your kitty into a talker. A stressed cat will often resort to more vocalization to show its discomfort.

If you have an old cat, you may often ask yourself, 'why do cats cry at night?' Like humans, aging cats can also suffer from cognitive dysfunction and mental confusion. Older cats can become plaintive, specially at night, and cry for no obvious reason. If such a situation occurs, a trip to the vet may be a good idea.

Why do cats meow constantly while in heat? When cats are at their breeding stage, provided they are not sterilized, a very likely reason as to why do cats meow so much is that they want to breed. A female cat in heat will cry for a mate while a male cat will yowl if it smells a female cat who is in heat.

Kinds of Meowing

Cats usually meow at human companions, but there can be exceptions. They are the masters at making and going by their own rules. So then, the question is, 'why do cats meow constantly?' and 'what are the different types of meowing?'

Let's explore some of the different types of meowing below:

Friendly Request Meowing - Friendly meows are usually short and sweet, bearing a mild tone.

Excited and Delighted Meowing - If your cat is excited or delighted, her meows may include high chirps and trills.

Rejected Demands Meowing - If you ignore your cat's meowing, your little fur-ball resorts to a more grating sound that is low pitched and sustained.

Distressed Meowing - Distressed meowing may sound more short and repetitive.

Interpreting a Cat's Cry

Humans cannot talk cats, and cats cannot talk humans. It is unfortunate, but that is how it is. Cats' cries are often associated with their actions. You may not be able to differentiate a cat's cry by the sound alone. To understand and interpret the message of your cat, it is essential to give maximum attention to your feline companion when it cries.

sad cat with human

Cats are habitual animals, and they tend to make repetitive actions or sounds at a particular place and time. So if you give some time and effort in the investigation, it will not be hard to decipher what your cat is trying to tell you. For example, if you feed your cat at 6 pm every day, it will develop a meowing habit around 6 pm, reminding you that it is mealtime.

You might hear your cat meowing in distress or fear when you take her to the vet. The short and repetitive meowing signify that your cat is scared and frightened by its surroundings. A cat may emit distressed cries if, for example, you bring another cat into the house. Cats do not do very well at adapting to changes in situations and environments and take time to accept new changes. Therefore, pre-plan any changes that could affect your pet's mood to avoid undesirable behavior and actions.

Conclusion

While various factors are responsible for making your cats meow so much, there are also some cats who like the sound of their cries while some like the idea of holding a conversation with their person. If your cat meows too much for your liking, you can try to rule out the cause and work on minimizing its cries.

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