How to Stop a Cat From Constant Meowing

In general, cats meow to get attention from their owners. Constant meowing can stem from a variety of causes. Sometimes a very vocal cat is meowing because of discomfort or pain, and should be taken to a vet to determine what is causing the problem. In other cases, meowing is simply a bad habit or a way for the cat to get what he wants from his owner. In the latter case, some training measures should help reduce or eliminate tiresome meowing.

Things You'll Need

  • Spray bottle
  • Cat toys
  • Hair dryer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Be sure the cat does not have a medical problem. If your cat is meowing while grooming or while using the litter pan and the meow has a distressed sound, the cat may be injured or ill. Have a veterinarian evaluate his condition before attempting any training.

    • 2

      Determine what is causing the meowing. In some cases, you might be able to determine why the cat is vocalizing by when and where the meowing takes place. For example, if he often meows near the litter pan, he might be unhappy with its cleanliness, or if he meows by his food dish he might be hungry. Other meowing might indicate he just wants attention. Some meowing is spurred by anxiety, in which case homeopathic treatments such as Bach's flower remedies, or even a pet massage, might help your cat feel less stressed.

    • 3

      Try cat toys. If the cat is meowing for attention, he may be bored. Supply cat toys or play with the cat to see if this distracts him from being annoyingly vocal.

    • 4

      Use an aversion technique. If the cat simply will not stop meowing, and it appears he is simply looking for constant attention, an aversion technique might help break the habit. For example, if the cat meows to be let into a certain room when you don't want him there, you can use a spray bottle or a hair dryer to spray the cat with water or blow air on him. Try to do this in such a way that the cat doesn't realize you're causing the unpleasant reaction. After a few times, the cat may get the message and stop being so relentlessly demanding.

    • 5

      Ignore the cat. Ignoring a cat that is simply wanting attention will eventually discourage it from meowing. This may take a while, but patience will pay off in the long run.