I remember the time when I first brought my kitten home from the shelter. It was such an exciting time and I was elated to have him in the family.
My cat was about 5 months old and slightly bigger than the size of my hand.
Not only was he a pocket rocket but he had the strongest vocals I’ve heard on a kitten. He must have loved the sound of his voice as he wouldn’t stop meowing.
Many other cat owners had a similar experience with their cats as kittens too.
So why do kittens engage in excessive meowing?
Kittens are like newborn babies which means that they will be vocalizing more often than an older cat. Kittens meow when they are hungry, feeling cold, feeling warm, stressed or meow for the sake of meowing. There isn’t much to be concerned about unless the excessive meowing is caused by a medical issue.
Let us take a closer look at the possible reasons that can cause non-stop meowing in kittens and what you can do about it.
Why Won’t My Kitten Stop Meowing?
It can be rather distressing for pet parents to hear their cats constantly meowing especially if it’s a new kitten.
A cat’s meow is designed to sound like a baby crying in order to incite a sense of urgency in the owner.
Cats use meowing as a form of communication with humans and not other cats.
But not every situation is a matter of life and death so relax.
Here are the more common reasons that can make your furry friend cry non-stop.
Your Kitten Is Hungry
Kittens are eating machines. It is possible for a kitten to eat up to 6 times a day or more. The reason for this is because they are growing rapidly and their little bodies demand nutrition. It is dangerous to let a kitten go too long without food.
When your cat meows, it could be a strong indicator that it is hungry. It is best to record the number of times that you have been feeding your kitten to ensure that it is getting enough food.
Some vets even recommend free-feeding your kitten. If your kitten is still dependent on milk, it needs round-the-clock care. That’s what its mother cat would be doing if it was still with the litter.
Yes, that includes waking up in the wee hours of the morning to feed your hungry little monster.
Kittens that eat so much tend to poo a lot too. It is quite common for little kittens to have poo stuck halfway in their anus. Just wipe it clean with a wet paper towel.
Your Kitten Is Afraid
Kittens should not be taken away from their mothers before they are properly weaned off. This happens after 14-16 weeks.
A kitten finds comfort and security from being together with its mother and littermates. If your kitten was removed prematurely, it might have separation anxiety.
Everything to a kitten is scary and unfamiliar. They are born blind and deaf which makes it even harder for them to get around. I wouldn’t suggest that you let your kitten sleep alone downstairs or in a separate room for now.
If your cat cries non-stop even after being fed, there’s a good chance that it is feeling afraid.
To make your kitten settle in faster, isolate it in a room by itself. Keep your other pets and young kids away for now so as to not overstimulate the kitten.
Keep it safe in a big box or cage with lots of blankets so that it doesn’t wander around.
Make it a point to also spend more time with your new kitten to assure it and get it well socialized to you.
Your Kitten Is Feeling Cold
Cats have a higher resting body temperature which means that they require more heat to be comfortable.
Kittens can’t effectively regulate their body temperature properly when young and require additional heating
It is easy when your cat still has its siblings to cuddle up with but if it is alone, give your kitten lots of blankets to keep warm. Some kittens will even burrow under the sheets when feeling cold.
There are also heated cat beds that might come in handy if it is the cold season now.
Your Kitten Wants Attention
As the kitten gets older, fear starts to turn into playfulness and curiosity. If you have a kitten who just wants to play all day, be prepared to hear your cat meow excessively for attention.
You don’t have to spend 24/7 with your new kitten, having some interactive toys can keep it busy for a while. But don’t forget that kittens usually have their siblings to play with to keep each other entertained.
Kittens have at least 3x more energy than an adult cat so be prepared to spend time playing and interacting with your new cat.
More playtime with your cat also deepens the bond between the two of you.
You Have A Talkative Cat
If you have young kids at home, you know that it is almost next to impossible to get them to keep quiet.
The same goes for kittens.
The constant meowing of your kitten could just be due to it being a talkative cat. Some breeds of cats tend to be more vocal than others.
If you have a Siamese, Maine Coon or Bengal be prepared to engage it in frequent conversation on a daily basis.
Your cat might have something interesting to meow about so do take time to listen.
Your Kitten Wants To Breed
You might see your new kitten as a sweet young innocent kitty but kittens can hit sexual maturity at six months of age.
To put it simply, your new pet is ready to be a father or mother.
During mating seasons, both male and female cats will be eager to find other cats to mate with. But if your kitten is locked indoors, it will be meowing non-stop as a sign that it wants out.
Your cat will even start marking objects and walls with urine to let other cats know of its readiness to mate.
It is best to sterilize your cat before it reaches sexual maturity. It is safe to neuter or spay cats around five to six months of age.
The procedure is safe and your kitten will be back to its normal self within a week.
Besides preventing unwanted pregnancies, sterilizing your cats keeps them healthy and prolongs their lives.
Your Kitten Is Feeling Ill
Kittens don’t have the best of immune systems as they are still young. Just like human babies, you can expect your kittens to fall sick more often than an adult cat.
If you found your kitten living in unsanitary conditions, it could be suffering from a parasite infestation like:
- Fleas
- Ticks
- Heartworm
- Tapeworm
- Ear mites
If you got your kitten from a shelter or breeder, it should have already gotten all the necessary dewormers and vaccinations.
But if you found your kitten in a ditch or drain, you need to take it to the vet for a proper check-up immediately as there could be something medically wrong with it.
Kittens are susceptible to infections that can be fatal to them.
How Do I Stop My New Kitten From Meowing?
It isn’t possible to stop your cat meowing but you can do something about it if your kitten is meowing non-stop.
Always ensure that your kitten has enough food, water, warmth, adequate attention and is in good health.
With all of its basic needs met, it will feel comfortable and might not be meowing excessively.
How Long Does It Take For My New Kittle To Settle In?
It depends on a few factors like how old is your cat and your cat’s personality. Cats that are younger and more outgoing tend to settle in faster than older cats who are more timing.
But in general, with proper socialization, most cats will start to feel at home after a few weeks to a month.
Why Is My New Kitten Meowing At Night?
If you find your kitten meowing mostly at night out of boredom and hunger. Even though kittens end to spend a large part of the day sleeping, cats are usually more active at night.
Cats are considered crepuscular creatures which means that they are active in the early morning and evening.
This allows them to hunt their prey which are out feeding as well.
Your kitty doesn’t have to hunt for food but it is definitely feeling more active when you are sleeping.
This can lead to excessive vocalisation from your cat out of boredom.
Most cats will slowly adjust their body clocks to be aligned with their owners so just be patient with your cat.
What To Prepare Before The Arrival Of Your New Kitten?
Before you bring your new cat home, you need to make sure that you have all the essential items ready.
Don’t just dump your new cat in the room with some food and expect it to be comfortable.
Here is a list of things that you need:
- Litter box
- Cat litter
- Cat bed
- Stainless steel food bowl
- Stainless steel water bool
- Milk formula
- Syringe
- Blanket
- Toys
- Scratching post
Don’t Harass Your New Kitten
I understand that your new kitten is really cute and you can’t wait to give it hugs and kisses all day long.
It is nice to want to bond with your cat so quickly but it is important to let your cat set the pace.
They aren’t like dogs who can warm up to people quickly. Cats need to be familiar with the environment and smell before opening up.
Kitten Proof The Room
Don’t underestimate the curiosity level of your kitten. It has plenty of energy to get itself into trouble when you are not around.
Make sure to keep all exposed cables and keep the windows closed.
You don’t want your kitten injuring itself in an unfortunate incident.
Conclusion
Having a new cat at home can be a nerve-racking experience for first-time cat owners. Kittens can be challenging to look after especially if they still need milk as food.
It won’t be possible to completely stop your kitten from meowing at this age but it gradually will as it gets older.
You can then tell your cat in a few years about how it won’t shut up when you’re both watching TV together on the couch.