quiet cat becoming vocal

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our 8 year old cat who is usually very quiet and has good health has recently become very vocal. her meows sound the same as when she meows previously. no other 'symptoms'.
eating fine, drinking fine etc

dont want to risk an unnecessary trip to the vets!

They miaow to communicate something. Maybe she realises you are not another cat so she needs to talk to you. Mother cats miaow to their kittens, not to other adult cats.

Could be a sign of a thyroid problem. That’s how ours started

I’d probably look into getting a vet appointment. It could be anything, or nothing, but all of mine got vocal around the time they started with various health issues. Most of their issues were easily ruled out/confirmed with blood tests. If it’s nothing, would be good to get done anyway. Some vets consider an 8 year old cat “senior” so recommended some tests annually as routine. It’s good for picking up issues early e.g kidney disease, which can be managed in the early stages through diet etc. Hope your kit is just a bit chatty though!!

My sister’s cat started getting louder at a similar age. Turned out he was going deaf and couldn’t hear himself, so he just got louder.

It took 4 years for Magic to find her voice. She's really found it since I adopted Cheddar, who has a lot to say! Maybe she just feels comfortable using it now. But I'd still get her thyroid checked out just in case. I live vocal cats. I can have a full conversation with mine now!

Our ginger boy only found his voice after our older cat died. It was like he went through a complete personality change. He's just loving being an only cat and having all his humans to himself.

Took my ex-ferals years to find their voices - Girlcat over 2 years, Boycat nearly 4 years. We have the theory that when they lived in the wild (very rural forested area) it was safer to keep silent, and now they feel secure here. Neither is exactly loud, and Boycat's still comes out sort of croaky, like his vocal cords are rusty.

I have found this with the cats I have owned the older they became the more vocal they became.

It could be any of the things listed by previous posters.
In my experience over the years I have had cats suddenly become vocal after the death of another cat who was obviously doing the talking for both of them. One through deafness and another due to age and becoming senile.

n my experience over the years I have had cats suddenly become vocal after the death of another cat who was obviously doing the talking for both of them.

I suspect you are right. The late Fatty was definitely the boss and the vice for both Of them. Now Magic is the boss, but Cheddar doesn't talk for her as Maia did. (Weird how I know that, but I just do!)

Our cat has always been very vocal at feeding time, otherwise just such a loud purrer. During lockdown she has become far more vocal. Initially I was a bit worried something was up, then I realised she now has us both at home all the time, so can miaow at us to do what she wants. She’s usually in on her own through the day, no cat flap, now she wants to go out (then come in) 975 times a day, and if no-one opens the doors, she just shouts louder and louder!

(We have a utility room between the kitchen and back door, so would either need to leave the middle door open permanently, or have two cat flaps.)

@Judystilldreamsofhorses I would seriously consider a second flap?

Has he been in a cattery lately? They seem to learn to be noisy in catteries. I love a loud cat!

iffymiffy to be honest I want her in overnight and during the day while we’re at work - usually she has quite a set routine. Now none of us have any routine!