Managing Constant Meowing

"Siamese vocalise a lot," Vaughan says. "But Mandy meowed all day and into the night. It drove me nuts, and I didn't know how to control it."

"Constant meowing is how cats train owners," says veterinarian Barbara Simpson, diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Behaviourists. "Cats quickly learn to get what they want by meowing, and owners reinforce this by giving in."

Here are some tips on correcting incessant meowing:

• Ignore it. This is the most effective way to stop constant meowing, but also the most difficult. The meowing usually gets worse before it gets better, but eventually your pet will learn incessant crying doesn't work.. So don't give in, no matter how awful the caterwauling.
  
  
• Deter it. If your cat starts meowing every morning at 4 a.m. because she's up and you aren't, give her a quick blast with a hairdryer or squirt bottle. Be subtle so she doesn't associate you with the unpleasantness.
  
  
• Distract your pet. Cats often meow because they're bored. Leave a few toys around so your cat will have something to play with whenever she's in the mood.
  
  
• Maintain a regular schedule. Cats are creatures of habit and will let you know they're upset about changes in their routine. A regular schedule means a happy cat.
  
  
• An important note: "Sudden, non-stop meowing from a normally quiet cat could indicate illness," warns veterinarian Dr Mark Dew. "If your cat meows plaintively when trying to eat, groom herself or use the litter tray, consult your veterinarian immediately."

As for Vaughan? She talked with her veterinarian and was told to steadfastly ignore Mandy's cries when they were inappropriate. "I played with Mandy several times a day so she'd know she was loved, but otherwise I ignored her," Vaughan reports. "It took three long weeks, but she finally got the message."

For more information on your cat’s behaviour, visit our Questions and Answers Section’s, Frequently Asked Questions. You’ll find answers to many of your most common behaviour-related questions.