Introduction
Cats communicate in various ways, including meowing, purring, hissing, and yowling. While meowing is a typical feline vocalization, prolonged and loud yowling can be concerning for indoor cat owners. There are several possible reasons an indoor cat may yowl or cry loudly, which this article will explore in further detail. The most common causes of indoor cat yowling include seeking attention or playing, hunger, boredom, sickness or pain, anxiety, advertising territory, heat cycles in unspayed females, and cognitive decline in elderly cats. By understanding the potential motivations behind cat yowling, owners can better address their cat’s needs.
Seek Attention or Play
One of the most common reasons an indoor cat may yowl is for attention or to initiate play (Source). Cats are social creatures and they crave interaction with their human families. If a cat feels they are not getting enough quality time and engagement, they may begin yowling loudly to get their owner’s attention.
Yowling can become their way of saying “pay attention to me!” or “let’s play!”. It’s their attempt to initiate interaction and fun activities like playtime. An attention-seeking cat may yowl persistently, especially in the evening when their owners are home from work and busy with dinner or relaxation. The yowling is their way of demanding time and affection.
It’s important for cat owners to recognize this cry for attention and make time daily for snuggles, play sessions with interactive cat toys, and general engagement with their feline friend. Adequate human interaction and stimulation can curb the attention-seeking yowls.
Hunger
Hunger is one of the most common reasons for yowling in cats. When cats are hungry, especially around meal times, they will often cry out with loud, long meows to vocalize their demand for food. This yowling when hungry can become very insistent as the cat tries desperately to get your attention and let you know it’s time to eat (source). Cats meow to solicit food from their owners, so persistent meowing or yowling is your cat’s way of begging and pleading for you to fill up their food dish immediately. The yowls may get louder and more frequent the longer you take to feed them.
Some cats will incessantly yowl and follow you around when they want to be fed because they have learned that this nagging behavior usually results in getting food faster. It’s important not to give in right away to this demanding behavior, as it can reinforce it. But understanding that hunger is likely the driving force behind the yowling can help you address the root cause.
Boredom
Cats are naturally inquisitive animals that need mental and physical stimulation. Lack of adequate playtime and enrichment can lead to boredom, which may cause a cat to yowl excessively as a cry for attention. Bored cats often meow loudly and frequently in an attempt to get their owner’s interest. If a cat is left alone for long periods without interaction or activities, they can become restless and distressed. This agitation presents itself through loud, persistent meowing and yowling.
Signs that a cat is bored include excessive vocalization, destructive behavior like scratching furniture, listlessness, lack of interest in toys, and following their owner persistently. To curb boredom-induced yowling, it is important to dedicate at least two play sessions per day of 10-15 minutes using interactive toys like feather wands and laser pointers. Puzzles and treat balls can also keep cats intellectually engaged when alone. Providing a variety of toys and rotating them out helps to maintain novelty and excitement. Cats also appreciate having access to perches, cat trees, and scratching posts for exercise. Lastly, social interaction through playtime, petting, and positive reinforcement training can help alleviate boredom in cats.
According to Is Your Cat Bored? 7 Signs & What You Can Do (https://baypathhumane.org/is-your-cat-bored-7-signs-what-you-can-do/), bored cats are sometimes more vocal, meowing excessively or howling. Again, this is a cry for attention. Excessive vocalization is their way of saying they need more stimulation and interaction.
Sickness
Certain illnesses may cause a cat to yowl excessively. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, medical conditions like hyperthyroidism, cognitive dysfunction syndrome, urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and dental problems can elicit loud, frequent yowling from cats. When a cat is in pain or discomfort from illness, they may yowl to vocalize that distress.
Urinary tract infections can be very painful and cause constant urges to urinate, which leads to excessive yowling. Senior cats are more prone to urinary issues as well as kidney disease, both of which can cause vocalizations. Any illness that produces nausea, cramping, inflammation, or another source of internal pain has the potential to lead to increased meowing and yowling. If your cat’s excessive vocalizing starts suddenly, schedule a veterinary exam to diagnose and treat any underlying medical issues.
Anxiety
Cats are sensitive creatures and can easily become stressed or anxious for various reasons. This anxiety can lead to excessive yowling. Common triggers for feline anxiety that may cause a cat to yowl include:
- Changes in the home environment – Things like moving homes, furniture rearrangement, visitors, or loud noises can stress out cats.
- Separation from owners – Cats that are especially bonded to their owners may yowl when left alone.
- New cats in the home – Adding another pet can create territory and hierarchy disputes, making resident cats anxious.
- Health issues – Cats often yowl when in pain or discomfort from injuries, arthritis, dental problems, etc.
- Cognitive decline – Senior cats with dementia may become disoriented and yowl frequently.
- Lack of stimulation – Insufficient play, affection and activity can lead to stress and attention-seeking yowls.
If your cat’s yowling seems connected to stress or anxiety, focus on identifying and addressing the source. Providing a predictable routine, environmental enrichment, and bonding time can help ease anxiety. In some cases, veterinary advice and medication may be needed. Overall, be patient – it may take some trial and error to determine what helps your anxious, yowling cat feel secure.
Territorial Instincts
Cats are extremely territorial animals and will protect their territory from other cats or animals. A cat may yowl as a warning signal to ward off intruders and mark the boundaries of its territory. This territorial yowling often occurs at night when cats are more active and other cats may be roaming around. According to the VCA Animal Hospitals, “If a stranger (animal or human) comes inside their protected perimeter, they may caterwaul as a warning and to scare off the intruder.” The yowling is a way for the cat to establish its domain and send a “stay away” message.
Cats can sense other cats in the area through their strong sense of smell. According to Rover, a cat “yowling at night could be a warning to other cats, non-feline animals, or humans that they’re invading her space.” When they pick up the scent of another cat nearby, they may yowl to signal that this is their territory. Intact male cats are especially prone to yowling to establish their territory and ward off other males.
Heat
Female cats yowl when they are in heat as a way to attract male cats for mating. Female cats in heat will yowl loudly and frequently, sometimes even nonstop, as their bodies are ready for breeding. The yowling signals to male cats that the female is fertile. Cats in heat produce hormones that physically compel them to mate, which causes the loud vocalizations.
When an unspayed female cat reaches 5-9 months old, she will go into heat cycles every 2-3 weeks during breeding season. Each heat cycle lasts around a week. The yowling during this time is meant to attract tomcats to mate with her. It is a natural biological drive. The frequent, loud yowling indicates the female cat’s readiness and urge to breed. Having kittens will satisfy this drive. Until then, she will continue yowling when in heat to signal her fertility.
Old Age
As cats get older, they may start yowling more frequently, especially at night. This is often due to a condition called cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), which is similar to dementia in humans. CDS causes disorientation, confusion, anxiety and impairment of learning and memory in senior cats. This anxiety can also lead to an old cat yowling at night (Petplan, 2023). CDS isn’t the only condition that can disrupt senior cats’ sleep, however it is one of the most common reasons for nighttime yowling in elderly cats.
In addition to CDS, other age-related factors like declining vision and hearing, arthritis pain, and altered sleep patterns can cause senior cats to yowl more often. It’s important to get elderly cats checked out by a vet to identify any medical issues causing vocalization changes. With a proper diagnosis, treatments like medication, supplements, lifestyle changes and TLC can help improve senior cats’ quality of life and reduce anxiety-induced yowling.
Conclusion
There are several common reasons why an indoor cat may yowl, meow, or vocalize excessively. The most frequent causes tend to be seeking attention, hunger, boredom, sickness, anxiety, desire to protect territory, heat discomfort, or old age. Solutions include dedicating quality playtime, ensuring a full food and water bowl, providing enriching toys for mental stimulation, taking your cat to the vet for a checkup, using calming pheromones or anti-anxiety medications, keeping them in a comfortable temperature, and being patient with an aging cat.
While excessive meowing can be annoying for owners, it’s important to address the underlying reason rather than punish the behavior. Understanding why your cat is vocalizing and implementing the appropriate solutions will lead to a happier, healthier cat and improved bond between pet and owner.