Why Some Cats Talk a Lot

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It's normal for cats to vocalize, and some do it much more than others. If you share your home with a Chatty Cathy of the cat world, you may be wondering: why does my cat meow so much?

Look Who's Talking

Cats belonging to particular breeds, such as Siamese and other Orientals, tend to be particularly talkative. Cats relate to us as their surrogate mothers (whether we're male or female) and learn to communicate with us to get their needs met. If a particular meow, chirp, or chortle elicits a desired response, they will learn to do it more. Some cats are genuinely social and probably enjoy "talking" with us for companionship. They may even develop a special language that they use just for us.

Of course, there are times that a feline monologue is just not the cat's meow. What's charming in the middle of the day can be infuriating at 3 a.m. Is your cat just lonely and bored? Or is something wrong?

Some of the common causes of extra vocalization in cats are discussed below.

Talkativeness in Cats May Be Attention-Seeking Behavior

Most chatty cats just want your attention. A cat will learn that if she meows long enough, you will feed her, play with her, or wake up and let her into your bedroom. What begins as a simple request can easily become a self-perpetuating demand. Here are some ways to discourage this type of behavior:

You can find more tips for dealing with cats that cry incessantly at night in this article: "How to Train Your Cat to Let You Sleep."

Extra Cat Vocalization Could Mean Something's Wrong

Most cases of excessive meowing are habitual and benign. But when this behavior develops out of the blue, it may be a sign that something is wrong. A young female that yowls, purrs, rolls, and rubs on you or household objects incessantly may be in heat. A male cat that cries, howls, and strains to urinate may have a urinary blockage, and this is a medical emergency.

Some other medical causes of excessive vocalization in cats include:

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