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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

My cat will just not shut up and it’s driving me mad!

60 replies

Cynthiaramsey · 11/07/2024 20:06

This is actually having a negative impact on my mental health now because I work from home and it’s very distressed and frustrating to hear your cat crying all day long every day.

From the moment she wakes up. DP has to put her outside when he leaves for work at 5am because otherwise she wakes me up with her shouting. When I see her sat on the windowsill to come in my heart sinks lately and I feel awful for it! It’s just that I can’t take another day of her constant meows. I feed her 4 wet pouches a day plus dry food and she is overweight. I wanted to try and tackle this by putting her on diet food and have the royal canin one but it’s not working because she eats too much of it to make a difference. The meowing is relentless. As soon as she’s finished eating she’s back to meowing at me again. People say leave dry food down all day but I can’t because she eats the whole bowl and still wants more. She doesn’t graze.

things I have tried:

  • ignoring the screaming in hopes she will eventually stop (she just doesn’t, it’s constant)
  • playing with her and cuddling her and seeing if those are the things she wants instead
  • vet check. Perfectly healthy and up to date with vaccinations, flea and worming
  • switched her to a high quality high protein food. Although expensive I am willing to take the hit if it works. But it doesn’t
  • I’ve recently changed to royal canin obesity control (she isn’t obese but she is overweight) in hopes that it would be more filling?

My male cat is not like this at all. He is twice the size of her and doesn’t eat anywhere near as much!

Please help, what can I do?! I can’t take every day of constant crying anymore. I want her to be a healthy weight and I’m trying my best to try and get it under control but her appetite is out of hand and I just want to be able to work from home or read or watch a movie with DP without the constant meowing. Im unable to enjoy my cat and unable to enjoy my time in the house. I love leaving the house to get away from the noise 😢

OP posts:
Original poster
Cynthiaramsey · 11/07/2024 20:10

Also please don’t anyone think I hate my cat or am mean to her! I adore her and just want to do the best for her. I don’t want to just constantly give her food on demand because it’s not healthy for her but there’s also only so much I can take before the constant meowing takes a toll. I don’t like feeling this way about her, I want to have her in the house and enjoy her company instead of dreading her return.

Do you think this is medical or just a behavioural thing? I’ve been to the vets though already and they said all is completely fine so I’m at a loss

OP posts:
WhatInFreshHell · 11/07/2024 20:16

I haven't got any advice OP but my cat is extremely vocal, she loves to scream and shout. I think it makes her happy. Drives me to distraction sometimes days but love her to bits.

BlueBlueBerries · 11/07/2024 20:23

Will she play by herself with any enrichment type toys?

SnowdaySewday · 11/07/2024 20:28

Is she neutered?

Original poster
Cynthiaramsey · 11/07/2024 20:33

BlueBlueBerries · 11/07/2024 20:23

Will she play by herself with any enrichment type toys?

No not really. She likes to chase springs and string but I have to do that with her. And she likes it if I hide and peek at her and then she stalks me and pounces on me. That’s her fave game. She has only just started going outside so she plays a lot less now

OP posts:
Original poster
Cynthiaramsey · 11/07/2024 20:34

SnowdaySewday · 11/07/2024 20:28

Is she neutered?

Yeah she was neutered last year. She is a year old now.. just over

OP posts:
Abitboring · 11/07/2024 20:35

Oh no OP, it seems you have tried everything. I have no other explanation other than that she might be bored or unhappy. Does she get on with your other cat? Could there be anything she wants but isn't getting?

My cat always wants something when he meows. I know him well obviously but sometimes it takes a while for me to figure out.

Sorry if I missed it but how old is she?

It drives me nuts when my cat is meowing. I do give him a bit of attention etc but sometimes it's not possible right away because I'm working and it drives me nuts.

Dumdeedahdumdeedo · 11/07/2024 20:35

My kittens ( I say kittens, their almost a year old ) used to be so noisy, I hated it. Screaming everytime they wanted feeding or I opened a packet of anything

I've started feeding them their wet food mixed with their dry food and it seems to fill them up for a lot longer + I've put down a feeder with dry food. I'd try her with a food dispenser and see how she gets on rather than a bowl of biscuits

Abitboring · 11/07/2024 20:36

At just a year old there is a good chance it will stop. My cat wasn't quite as bad but I got to my limits and thank god he's a lot calmer now. Also, how long have you had her for? Any chance she's still adjusting to your routine?

MulberryBushRoundabout · 11/07/2024 20:39

Was she this demanding before you had to restrict her food?

I have every sympathy, our cat has had to become an indoor cat recently, and he yowls at top volume day and night in protest. We’ve had to create him a room of his own that we can close him in to get some respite. So I understand how the constant noise can drive you insane.

Original poster
Cynthiaramsey · 11/07/2024 20:40

Abitboring · 11/07/2024 20:35

Oh no OP, it seems you have tried everything. I have no other explanation other than that she might be bored or unhappy. Does she get on with your other cat? Could there be anything she wants but isn't getting?

My cat always wants something when he meows. I know him well obviously but sometimes it takes a while for me to figure out.

Sorry if I missed it but how old is she?

It drives me nuts when my cat is meowing. I do give him a bit of attention etc but sometimes it's not possible right away because I'm working and it drives me nuts.

Yeah she definitely wants something, it isn’t as if she’s just walking around chattering to herself. She specifically wants something from me and it always seems to be food because when I get up she runs into the kitchen and stands next to her food bowl. She has litter trays (3 to choose from) food, water, toys, I’m home so she has attention and love, she can come in and out as she pleases. She is very very playful and loves to chase. My other cat does not like this at all and will not entertain it. However next doors cat is the same age as her and they run around playing together a lot. Sometimes I let him inside and they zoom around the house together chasing and rolling around. She loves it. However as soon as she’s on her own, she’s back to mithering me for food again 😔 she is a year old… 17 months to be exact lol

OP posts:
Original poster
Cynthiaramsey · 11/07/2024 20:42

Abitboring · 11/07/2024 20:36

At just a year old there is a good chance it will stop. My cat wasn't quite as bad but I got to my limits and thank god he's a lot calmer now. Also, how long have you had her for? Any chance she's still adjusting to your routine?

I hope you’re right! I had her form a kitten at 11 weeks old. I feel awful writing all this like I feel guilty on her lol but I don’t know what to do

OP posts:
Original poster
Cynthiaramsey · 11/07/2024 20:44

MulberryBushRoundabout · 11/07/2024 20:39

Was she this demanding before you had to restrict her food?

I have every sympathy, our cat has had to become an indoor cat recently, and he yowls at top volume day and night in protest. We’ve had to create him a room of his own that we can close him in to get some respite. So I understand how the constant noise can drive you insane.

Yeah she was, that’s how she got overweight in the first place because I ended up giving in to her cries and just feeding her on demand. I think she has gotten used to that now. So I tried to restrict the food in the hopes of setting a routine and schedule. But it just didn’t work.. so I switched to the diet food in hopes that she can still eat 4 packets which are less calories and more filling, and drop the dry food. But nothing is working. She even jumps up onto the counter to try and steal human food or lick my plate while I’m preparing so I have to keep her out of the kitchen now when there’s human food around

OP posts:
Abitboring · 11/07/2024 20:48

With food, there are certain foods my cat will go crazy for and demand it. Its typically a certain dry good, even though it's good quality. He will sit in front of the automatic feeder patiently waiting for it to come out even though there is no way he's hungry. He will then gain weight. Sometimes he even rejects his other/wet food. It's like an addiction.

I don't buy it often for that reason. I try to just have food he likes but doesn't want to binge on and then he's a normal weight again.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 11/07/2024 20:49

have you tried a puzzle feeder? Our cat can be kept entertained with that for ages, and obviously it slows down a greedy-guts.

TomatoSandwiches · 11/07/2024 20:49

She is still young, she is asking for attention unfortunately.

Can you have a catio put in or pay for someone to come play with her for a portion of the day, maybe try harness training so she could be exercised properly.

It will usually reduce as she gets older but right now she has lots of energy and wants to be played with.

Abitboring · 11/07/2024 20:53

Also, I don't know your play routine with her. I do have to regularly shop for new toys or find something that could serve as a toy to keep him well entertained. He will be bored of his 'old' toys and not play much on his own. I do feel like I'm constantly looking for ways to entertain a toddler. And I do have the find 'the game' he wants to play on a given day. Like I know he needs to release some energy but can't do it on his own completely as an indoor cat.

It does drive me crazy on days I know he needs play but I can't find 'the game of the day'. Even now as he's 2.5 years old.

AnnaMagnani · 11/07/2024 20:54

She's not that old, likely there will be a change by the time she is 3.

I've found with cats there are those that can self-regulate how much they eat, and those who really really can't. A bit like humans really (I am in the second category)

With those that can't regulate the only way is to feed them weighed quantities of food and no more. You can make it more interesting for them by using slow feeders or feeder balls so they have to work for it. And it gives them a chance to realise they are full.

Abitboring · 11/07/2024 20:56

I love him very much. I had days where I regretted getting an indoor cat, and that's me as someone who adores cats! But I know his needs now, i think sometimes even before he does lol.

The days on which he wakes me way before the alarm are a lot less now and when it happens I just role my eyes but then find it very sweet that he wants to start the day.

PTSDBarbiegirl · 11/07/2024 20:57

I’d cut out wet food over a few weeks. Full of salt & affects kidneys, try dry only. Don’t keep moving food/water it’s stressful for cats. Get down to 1 litter tray and don’t move it. Try a cat sized box with a hole in the side and a fluffy cushion inside, she might need a secure small space to go to if overwhelmed by outside space.

AltitudeCheck · 11/07/2024 20:58

Some suggestions that have worked for us...
Try cat TV (on you tube) to occupy her for a while, ours love it, we play it on an old tablet on the floor (after a near disaster when one of them launched themselves at the bug tv trying to catch a bird!)
Try hiding her dry food around the house so she has to 'hunt' for it.
Try an automatic feeder for the wet food so she she doesn't always associate you with food arriving.
Various food toys where you put kibble in and they have to play with it to get it out. Things like slow bowls/ lick mats etc

Abitboring · 11/07/2024 20:59

@PTSDBarbiegirl no offence but I think that's poor advice on food. There are excellent wet foods and id never feed a cat just dry food if it also likes wet.

Original poster
Cynthiaramsey · 11/07/2024 21:10

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 11/07/2024 20:49

have you tried a puzzle feeder? Our cat can be kept entertained with that for ages, and obviously it slows down a greedy-guts.

Omg no I haven’t tried this even though I’ve known about them for a while. For some reason it didn’t actually click that this could help. I will get one, thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Cynthiaramsey · 11/07/2024 21:13

TomatoSandwiches · 11/07/2024 20:49

She is still young, she is asking for attention unfortunately.

Can you have a catio put in or pay for someone to come play with her for a portion of the day, maybe try harness training so she could be exercised properly.

It will usually reduce as she gets older but right now she has lots of energy and wants to be played with.

Well I don’t need anyone to come and play with her because I can do it myself but she doesn’t want to play. She will play for like 5 mins and then get bored. She has lots of different toys but she just goes and stands next to her food bowl screaming and licking it or nudging it along with her paw while staring me dead in the eyes 😆

OP posts:
Original poster
Cynthiaramsey · 11/07/2024 21:17

Abitboring · 11/07/2024 20:53

Also, I don't know your play routine with her. I do have to regularly shop for new toys or find something that could serve as a toy to keep him well entertained. He will be bored of his 'old' toys and not play much on his own. I do feel like I'm constantly looking for ways to entertain a toddler. And I do have the find 'the game' he wants to play on a given day. Like I know he needs to release some energy but can't do it on his own completely as an indoor cat.

It does drive me crazy on days I know he needs play but I can't find 'the game of the day'. Even now as he's 2.5 years old.

Yeah it’s difficult because I have lots of toys here that have never been touched. I’ve spend a lot of money on all sorts of things. Balls, soft mice, interactive games, tunnels, all different textures that make different noises. I have something that hangs from the ceiling as well and dangles there and in the pictures it showed cats jumping up to try and catch it or pulling it and watching it bounce… she isn’t interested in any of it. The only things she will play are games with me, like hide and peak where we hide from each other and peak round the corner so that she can stalk me and pounce on me, or chasing other cats around, or springs, she will entertain herself with springs but she loses them under the couch and the bed. I currently have about 500 springs around the house

OP posts: