What is Excessive Vocalization?
Your veterinarian may refer to your cat's excessive meowing, groaning, howling, hissing or screeching as excessive feline vocalization. Generally, this is a symptom of a disease or condition, rather than a condition in and of itself.
Excessive vocalization in cats is, put simply, a cat meowing more often than normal. As you can imagine, whether a cat is vocalizing--that is, meowing, growling, howling, screeching--excessively depends on her normal behavior. Some cats are simply more vocal than others. If you notice a sudden increase in frequency, degree, volume, or type of vocalization, it may be an indication of a more serious condition. Since excessive vocalization can be an expression of pain and discomfort or a symptom in its own right, it is important to visit your veterinarian for a thorough examination. Only a veterinary professional can confirm whether your cat's excessive vocalization is of a physical or behavioral origin.
Symptoms of Excessive Vocalization in Cats
The symptoms of excessive vocalization in cats are relatively straightforward. Seek veterinary attention for your cat if she exhibits any of the following:
- An increase in the frequency of meowing and yowling
- An increase in the volume or change in the character of meowing or yowling
- Continual vocalizations at night
It is important to use your cat's previous level of vocalization as a meter stick against which to measure vocalization. A cat who has always been vocal will likely remain that way. There is only cause for concern if your cat has recently become vocal compared to previous behavior.
Causes of Excessive Vocalization in Cats
There are many reasons a cat may change his or her vocalization habits. The causes can be related to physical pain, discomfort, or disease as well as behavioral or environmental changes. Some of the most common causes of excessive vocalization in cats are as follows:
Physical Illness
Just like humans, cats express their discomfort when they are sick. Vocalizations can be expressions of pain, hunger or thirst. Discomfort associated with chronic disease may also cause excessive vocalizations. Chronic kidney disease or diabetes, for example, may cause excessive thirst, which in turn causes a cat to meow for water frequently.
Middle or Advanced Age
It is common for cats to become more vocal as they age. Vision, hearing and other senses may be dulled, leading to fearful or aggressive behaviors. Physical discomfort and chronic disease may cause discomfort. Senility may contribute to excessive vocalization in senior cats.
Anxiety
Anxiety may cause cats to meow out of fear or aggression. Separation anxiety, situational distress or conflict can cause an otherwise quiet cat to become vocal.
Mating or Territorial Behavior
Cats who are in heat or are fearful of encroachments on their territory may yowl, growl or otherwise vocalize instinctively. Your veterinarian can recognize whether your cat's vocalization is specific to any of these contexts.
Attention Seeking
Finally, many cats vocalize to catch the attention of their families. This may be especially true of a cat who is hungry. If you often reward a meowing cat with cuddles, petting or treats, she may be conditioned to vocalize for attention. It is still important to consult a veterinarian to eliminate the possibility that your cat's behavior is the result of an underlying condition, especially if behavior has changed suddenly.
It should also be noted that certain cat breeds, such as Siamese cats, are more vocal than others. This behavior would likely be exhibited throughout your cat's life.
Diagnosis of Excessive Vocalization in Cats
To discover the underlying cause of your cat's excessive vocalization, the veterinarian will likely begin by asking questions regarding any recent changes in your cat's environment or other behaviors.
Even if the cause of your cat's excessive vocalizations is likely behavioral or environmental, your veterinarian may order biochemical tests to rule out any acute or chronic conditions. Blood and urine samples may be collected to rule out hormonal imbalances, electrolyte disturbances, acute infections or chronic disease. A physical exam will also be performed to rule out physical, localized pain (e.g., pain caused by a broken bone).
If no environmental or physical cause can be determined, your veterinarian may refer your cat to a behavioral specialist for further testing.
Treatment of Excessive Vocalization in Cats
The course of treatment recommended for or administered to your cat will depend completely on the cause of her excessive vocalization. If it is determined that excessive vocalization is symptomatic of a physical condition, treatment might entail drugs, intravenous fluids, surgery or other therapies.
If your cat's excessive vocalization is caused by environmental or behavioral changes, a veterinary professional may recommend interventions in the home. More frequent feedings, for example, may prevent a cat's vocalizing when she is hungry.
Recovery of Excessive Vocalization in Cats
No matter the cause of your cat's excessive vocalization, follow-up appointments with your veterinary care provider will be required. If the cause is physical, follow-up appointments ensure your cat is fully recovered. If the cause was determined to be behavioral or environmental, helpful information may surface at a follow-up appointment.
The prognosis of a cat who is exhibiting excessive vocalization will depend on the cause. Often, lifestyle and behavioral interventions will resolve excessive vocalization of environmental origin. Excess vocalization as an expression of pain or discomfort, on the other hand, might not be resolved until the underlying cause is adequately addressed. Stay in regular contact with your veterinarian to receive updates on your cat's prognosis and recovery timeline.
Excessive Vocalization Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Has Symptoms
I have a 14-year old female cat who was born feral, lived with my (ex-) girlfriend from about 6 months to a year old, them moved in with me when her cats wouldn't tolerate her. I later got another cat in similar circumstances who died about six months ago from kidney disease that I didn't notice until it was too late. When he was alive, she was definitely the beta cat in the relationship; she tolerated him, but didn't always enjoy his company. She has always been a bit of a vocalizer, but, in retrospect, I noticed that she became more vocal when the other cat became sick, and now that he's gone. However, lately, it's been getting excessive -- she has developed a habit of shouting during and after she drinks water that I keep on the windowsill, especially as she is coming down from there. She also shouts randomly, mostly in the morning but occasionally at night. But in the last few days she has begun to shout at me whenever I take a shower, even coming right up to the bathtub. They sound like panic shouts, although she doesn't appear obviously distressed -- although, just now she finished a shouting spell, and has gone into a hiding place in the storage closet (one that she hadn't seemed to use for a long time. And of course, with her age and my experience with my other cat, I've been fearful for her health, noticing every little change in her behavior -- she seems to defecate less often (from once or twice a day to what seems to be down to every few days); she has been licking her lips more often; and although she still has an appetite (she's always been thin), she seems to lose interest in recently-liked foods. (About 2 years ago, I took her to the vet for bad breath; she was diagnosed as having slightly elevated kidney levels. She still has spells of bad breath, but her energy level, if anything, has gone up in the last 6 mos.-year.
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My cat meows excessively around the time i get home from work. But, he still keeps going on for around half hour after im home. He always tries to get outside at around this time of day. Im unsure if it is because he wanted me to come home, or if he wanted to go outside. He has peed on my bed about three times, and the couch more. We live sort of near the woods (it starts in my neighbor's yard), so im not sure if he sees animals there and if this is something territorial. but i dont think there is anything in these woods because there is a main passage to an elementary school, where the kids and parents walk through. We have taken my cat to the vet for the peeing and all they did was see if he had a UTI (he does not). They went on to suggest we move litter box closer, but he still regularly uses it, so it can't be that.
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My female cat is 7 years old (human years) and has really become vocal over the last 8 months or so. It started off as an occasional occurrence at night, but is now happening every night and during the day as well. There seem to be some definite triggers, and some I just don't understand. At night, she'll pick one of a few random spots and just yowl constantly. The edge of a desk, the corner of the room (always the same corner, facing the wall), or next to the washing machine. Once I go pick her up and bring her to bed she's usually okay for a few more hours. Now, she's doing it even when we're awake. Looking up at a wall in the dining room, or from the top of our arm chair. Always the same constant cry. We get her attention, try to call her over, but we go ignored and she continues to cry until someone physically goes to pick her up. She'll also do it everytime I walk into the kitchen because she thinks I'm getting treats or food (she is WAY more food motivated now than she's ever been, even though I've never been one to give her a lot of treats). I've tried getting more engaging toys, playing with her more during the day and right before bed, giving her more attention. Nothing seems to ease the behavior. Any advice would be helpful.
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HI - I've a 19 year old Maine Coon, Snickers is in good health, we've taken her to the vets a couple of times recently and everything is fine. she has got mild arthritis in one front leg. her appetite is HUGE, she's now on rice and chicken with a few of her Royal Canin Urinary biscuits to aid he cystitus. the problem is her meowing / howling the house down. all day yesterday, she can meow up to 40 time per minute, and howl when we leave the room, once she sees us again it's the eowing again. it's tiring for us, let alone how she must be feeling!! help, please. (she is totally deaf byt the way)
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I have a female cat. She is about 6 years old (human years). She has increased her vocalization substantially over the last month. I have been going out of town on the weekends more frequently. When I am getting dressed she will sit on the bathroom toilet and meow nonstop. It is like more of a crying meow. She does this every morning while I'm getting dressed for work and she also does it on the weekends when I am getting dressed to run errands. Other than that she is a pretty quiet kitty. Unless I'm giving her treats or playing with her. I give her a lot of love and attention when I am home, but I think she may be upset if I leave her for too long on some weekends. I am think about getting a kitten. Will a playmate help her?
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