How Can I Stop a Pet Cat From Meowing Loudly?

Cats communicate through body language, scent marking and vocalization, or meowing. To get your attention, a cat may meow loudly due to hunger, a desire to go outside or a desire to mate. Certain medical conditions also cause excessive and loud meowing. Once you understand why your cat meows loudly, you can treat the underlying cause. In order to change your cat's behavior so she meows less, only at certain times of the day, or not at all, use behavior modification techniques.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat treats
  • Cat door
  • Interactive cat toys
  • Laser cat toy
  • Treat dispensing cat toy
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Instructions

    • 1

      Feed your cat on a schedule every day. Do not feed her when she meows at you or you will reinforce this behavior: the cat views the feeding as a reward for meowing if feeding follows. To prevent your cat from meowing for food, leave out with a sufficient amount of dry food so she can eat when she's hungry.

    • 2

      Spay or neuter your cat. Intact male cats, and female cats in heat, vocalize loudly to attract a mate. The heat cycle in a female lasts for 4 to 10 days in the breeding season (from February to September), according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Spaying or neutering removes the urge to meow due to hormonal urges.

    • 3

      Reward your cat with a food reward and praise when she does not meow but stays quiet. If your cat begins to loudly vocalize, get up and walk away. Do not pay attention to her when she meows, and return to her only when she stops the vocalization to reward her.

    • 4

      Install a cat door if your cat is an indoor/outdoor cat to allow her free access to the outside. Your cat will vocalize loudly when she wants to go outside to get your attention to open the door; a cat door prevents this behavior. Some cat doors come with electronic sensors that detect a signal from your cat's collar to let her in and prevent neighborhood cats or other strangers from getting into your home.

    • 5

      Treat any underlying medical conditions that cause excessive vocalization in cats by taking your cat to a veterinarian for a check up. If your cat has an injury or suffers from an overactive thyroid, kidney disease or dementia she will vocalize excessively, according to the ASPCA. Without treatment, behavior modification will not work and your cat will continue to vocalize because of the underlying illness.

    • 6

      Play with your cat in the evening to tire her so she sleeps through the night and does not wake you up with loud meowing. Use interactive toys such as laser lights and cat toys on a string to engage your cat's energy and attention. Your cat will benefit from the exercise, sleep while you do, and bond with you through play. The exercise also helps to cut down on your cat's destructive or hyperactive behavior, according to the Animal Humane Society.