by Nomi Berger
 
Whereas some cat breeds meow more than others, others simply enjoy making noises.
 
Consider, though, these seven possible reasons for a cat’s EXCESSIVE meowing.
 
1. She might be in heat. The meowing of an intact kitten or cat is eerily loud and sounds as if she’s in pain. These meows are usually accompanied by overly affectionate behavior on her part and an odd, sway-backed position when you pet her near her hind end.
 
2. She might have hyperthyroidism. Typically found in older cats, hyperthyroidism’s symptoms include weight loss despite a ravenous appetite, excessive activity and excessive vocalization. If your cat’s exhibiting these symptoms and won’t stop meowing, take her to the vet immediately for a thorough examination and blood tests.
 
3. She might have vision or hearing loss. If your older cat won’t stop meowing once you’ve turned off the lights and gone to bed, she may feel hopelessly lost. If she’s even partially blind or deaf, she won’t be able to make her way around once familiar surroundings, and may not be able to either hear or find you.
 
4. She might be senile. Known as feline cognitive dysfunction or cat dementia, this condition causes numerous problems – all of which can leave kitty feeling scared and disoriented. Her reaction: wails, yowls and excessive meowing. A cat suffering from cognitive dysfunction may also be more irritable, sleep more or have altered sleep cycles, lose coordination, and, on occasion, become incontinent.
 
5. She might have feline hyperesthesia syndrome. A cat with this condition often appears wild-eyed and will act bizarrely -- as though hallucinating. She’ll cry and yowl loudly and may experience strange mood swings. Her skin may “ripple” as if the air was painful, and she might have sudden bouts of over-grooming that may even lead to hair loss.
 
6. She might be in pain. Although cats seldom show pain, when she’s truly in agony, she won’t stop meowing. Example: a kitty with a severe urinary tract infection, causing her to run back and forth to the litter box, attempting and failing to pee, while the effort itself is so painful that she “me-ows” and “me-ows!”
 
7. She might be lonely or bored. A single cat closely bonded with you is especially susceptible to feelings of loneliness or boredom. In this case, her excessive meowing will usually begin after you’ve gone to bed and will continue until you either respond to her or she finally grows tired of “asking” for attention. If possible, the purr-fect solution is adopting a second cat to be her constant companion.

by Nomi Berger
 
Do curiosity and counter cruising go paw in paw in your household?
 
Whether your cat climber’s intent is to forage for forgotten food or find the finest view of the kitchen, this may be one habit you’d be happy to break.
 
If so, begin by determining the reason or reasons behind her fondness for prowling your counter tops in the first place. Is it because desirable items, like food, are readily accessible to her? The counter provides a pathway to a particularly enticing spot such as a window ledge? There’s fresh running or dripping water in the sink? She’s bored and eager for adventure? Or she simply enjoys gazing down on her kitty cat world from “on high.”
 
Whatever the reason, in order to curb your kitty’s curiosity and combat her climbing, keep your counters cleared of all temptation. This means returning china and glasses to cabinets and foodstuffs to their proper places, cleaning the counters of crumbs, and removing all toys and anything remotely resembling a toy – from elastics and strings to paper clips and paper bags.
 
Add a tall cat condo or cat tree to satisfy her craving for height and place it close to her favorite window for easy access and enjoyable viewing. Or create an entirely new favorite place for her to perch by placing a bird feeder outside an easily accessible window.
 
Repair any leaky sink faucets, thereby eliminating the allure of dripping water that’s all too available by way of the counter top. Or provide your kitty with a specially designed fountain – on the floor – that offers her a continuous stream of clean, refreshing water instead.
 
If a nearby chair is aiding and abetting your kitty’s acrobatic leaps, remove it.
 
Counter cruising is often a “meow” for attention from a kitty who’s bored and in need of stimulation. If this sounds familiar, play more often and more interactively with your kitty to satisfy this need, burn off that extra energy, and happily tire her out.
 
Since cats dislike sticky surfaces, put double-sided tape on one side of several inexpensive plastic place mats and line the counter with them. Then, should your cat jump onto the counter, the discomfort will, in all likelihood, cause her to jump off again.
 
Most importantly, reward your kitty for any positive behavior on her part. If, e.g., she jumps onto the cat tree instead of onto the counter, praise her verbally, with extra pets, and the occasional high value treat. It’s a well-known fact that animals repeat what benefits them most.
 
Conversely, never punish your cat. She can’t make the connection between the punishment and the behavior that prompted it. Verbal and/or physical punishment will only make her fear you and may even cause her to act out. Nor do such deterrents as the use of spray bottles work. Not only do YOU become associated with a highly unpleasant sensation but she may continue her unwanted behavior when you’re not around.
 
Remember, as with any behavioral modification plan, consistency – and patience -- is key to a successful outcome.