| A meowing cat can drive you up the wall-or at least | | | | to take care of the problem if you want any peace |
| away from home to seek relief for a few hours. | | | | and quiet for the rest of the evening. Intruder |
| Does your cat meow too much? I'm not referring to | | | | gone-cat behavior problem of excessive meowing |
| a meek little meow now and then, but the "Chinese | | | | solved. |
| water torture" kind of meowing that goes on, and | | | | 4. Some breeds of cats are noted for meowing more |
| on, and on. | | | | than others. |
| Before you do anything about your cat's excessive | | | | If you have a Siamese cat (as I did at one time) you |
| meowing, you need to figure out the reason behind | | | | are probably in for being treated to more meowing |
| this problem behavior, one that can become serious, | | | | than with most other breeds, but you still need to |
| if no steps are taken to curb it. Here are 5 of the | | | | check for causes that may indicate trouble. Siamese |
| most common reasons cats meow too much: | | | | cats are noted for not only the frequency of their |
| 1. Your cat may be ill and meow to let you know he | | | | meowing, but also for the loudness, so if excessive |
| or she needs help. | | | | meowing is a problem for you, try for a breed that is |
| If your fairly quiet cat suddenly starts meowing | | | | not noted for being so vocal. |
| excessively, it is time to check it out for a physical | | | | 5. Cats are basically social and meow when they just |
| problem. Look the cat over thoroughly, checking for | | | | want attention. |
| scratches, tender spots, a tendency to favor one or | | | | Most of us become cat owners in the first place |
| more paws when walking, reluctance to walk at all, | | | | because cats are so appealing. They are cuddly |
| listlessness, discharge from eyes, ears, or nose, etc. | | | | creatures who love to be held and petted, and are |
| Any one of these cat behavior problems may merit a | | | | great company. All these things are true, but there is |
| prompt visit to a veterinarian to make sure needed | | | | one problem. Most cats want to cuddle, to be held |
| treatment is started as soon as possible. Solving the | | | | and petted, and to share their company with you on |
| cat's health problem usually also solves the problem | | | | their schedule, not yours. And, if you happen to be |
| meowing behavior, too. | | | | busy when they decide it is time for some of this |
| 2. Most cats meow when they want you to do | | | | attention from you, their response is to meow until it |
| something for them. | | | | is forthcoming. |
| And most cat owners recognize this type of meow. | | | | If this happens too frequently at your house, and |
| It is usually loud and insistent and can mean, "I want | | | | you feel your cat is already receiving sufficient |
| food and water," "My litter box is full," "I want to go | | | | attention, try short periods of banishment from your |
| outside," or "I want to come inside." When you fulfill | | | | presence. Put the cat in another room or even in the |
| the "command," whatever it is, the meowing usually | | | | garage for a short time as soon as the meowing |
| ends---at least until they want you to do something | | | | begins, and it won't be long before your cat learns |
| else for them. | | | | there are certain times he or she needs to be a |
| 3. A cat may meow to alert their owners that | | | | quieter companion in order to remain in close |
| something is amiss. | | | | proximity to you. |
| Not all cats pay attention to anything beyond the 4 | | | | Those are five of the most common reasons cats |
| walls of the house they live in, but some act almost | | | | meow too much, and you could probably add a few |
| like "watchdogs" for their owners. As soon as a | | | | more from observing your own cat's behavior. Since |
| neighborhood cat, dog, raccoon, or other intruder | | | | there are so many causes for excessive meowing in |
| (even a two-legged one) comes anywhere near the | | | | cats, it seems that no one solution to the problem |
| house, "Watchdog" cats begin to meow. | | | | will apply to all. Each of us needs to determine what |
| Some even growl. Unfortunately, they seldom stop | | | | is behind the excessive meowing of our own |
| until the intruder leaves the premises so you might as | | | | particular cat, and then decide where to go from |
| well leave that comfy easy chair and venture outside | | | | there. |