My cat meows when he sees me, why?

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 14 February 2021
Update Date: 5 November 2024
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Old cat always meows when he sees me
Video: Old cat always meows when he sees me

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Although they mainly use body language to communicate, there are many sounds that cats make and their possible meanings. Certainly, the meow is the most known and heard expression in homes where these beautiful companions find the ideal environment for express yourself freely.

So if you enjoy sharing your everyday life with a cat, you are likely to ask questions like, "Why does my cat meow when he sees me?", "Why does my cat meow a lot?" or "Why is my cat meowing weird?" As you can see, meows appear in different contexts and can have different meanings. It all depends on what your cat wants to "say" when he makes that distinctive sound that reveals a lot about his mood and how he reacts to the stimuli he perceives in his environment.


In this article by Animal Expert, we invite you to get to know the possible meanings of cat meowing in order to meet your furry friend and know how to interpret what he wants to communicate all the time. This will help you not only understand why does your cat meow when it sees you, but also to establish better communication and strengthen your bond with him.

Cat meows and their possible meanings

A cat's meows can have different meanings, depending on the context the animal is in and what it wants to express to its caregiver or other individuals (human or feline). To interpret each meow, it is essential to know the body language of the cats, as the vocalization will be accompanied by certain postures and facial expressions that "reveal" what he feels at that moment. In addition, we must pay attention to tone, intensity and frequency. In general, the stronger, the more intense and frequent the meow, most urgent and important is the message the cat wants to convey.


For example, an aggressive cat will emit loud and intense meows, possibly interspersed with snores, and will adopt a defensive posture announcing a possible attack (like the ruffled and tufted tail with the ruffled hair, and the ears back). On the other hand, a kitten that meows to announce that he are you hungry, will maintain a prolonged meow pattern, in addition to positioning itself close to the eater, following its owner, or staying close to where the food is usually stored.

During heat, unsterilized or unneutered cats emit loud meows, with a very loud tone and insistent. It is a sexual call which resembles an intense crying and can cause some distress when in our ears after many hours. As heat in female cats can occur at any time of year, these meows are often frequent in "upright" domestic females or stray females. The only reliable and safe way to control these meows is to spay the cat.


Cats Meowing When They Look At Their Guardians - 7 Reasons

Usually a cat meows to get your caregiver's attention and communicate a message that seems important to you. However, this message can express different moods, desires or needs that your body experiences. To help you better understand cat language and communication and interpret why your cat meows when he sees you, we've summarized the 7 most common meanings of this vocalization:

  1. To welcome": Meowing is one of the ways cats have to greet their owner. This vocalization has a cheerful tone and is accompanied by equally friendly postures such as a raised tail, forward ears and a calm facial expression. For this reason, if your cat meows when you get home, we can say he is "welcoming" you.
  2. order something you want or need: when the cat makes a meowing petition, it is communicating a need or desire to its guardian. For example, hunger, the desire to go abroad, the desire to get a treat, etc. In these cases, the meows are strong and intense, and the cat makes them insistently, until it gets what it requires. If your cat meows insistently and loudly when he sees you, you can be sure he asks for something. Remember that cats are animals that stick to a routine to feel safe in their environment, so always respect their feeding schedules and habits in domestic life.
  3. When he likes or is surprised by something you do: Cats can also meow when something surprises, interests or pleases them. This vocalization is very short and resembles a brief cry, like a positive exclamation. Your furry friend may meow that way when he notices that you've got his favorite snack, which will serve him a tasty home-cooked meal that he likes, or when you've chosen your favorite toy to have some fun with.
  4. when your cat wants to talk: each cat has a unique personality, which is not only determined by its genetic heritage (even if it is a relevant factor). The environment, care and education provided by each owner are also determinant in a cat's behavior and in the way it expresses itself on a daily basis. If your cat is sociable and communicative, and still finds ideal conditions at home and, above all, he has your affection, he can emit sounds as a means to interact with you. So, if your cat meows when he sees you and seems to invite you to talk, responding to your comments with constant and calm meows, take the opportunity to share this moment of friendship with your kitten and strengthen your bond with him.
  5. say you are very bored: If your cat is bored or wants to get some petting, he may meow to get your attention and ask you to take the time to attend to his needs and desires. In general, these meows will be soft and calm, similar to those emitted by cats that have had kittens, to get the attention of your little ones. However, if you notice that your feline shows symptoms of boredom constantly, you should observe your environment to see if the animal finds ways to expend energy, with entertainment and exercise. Environmental enrichment is crucial to providing a positive environment that encourages your cat to play, practice daily physical activity and exercise their senses and intelligence. This will help manage a healthy weight and maintain balanced behavior, preventing symptoms of obesity in cats and behavioral problems that can be associated with a sedentary routine.
  6. ask for your help: If your little companion is in pain, is sick or injured, you can use the meow to get their attention and ask for help. The tone, frequency and intensity of these meows vary according to the urgency, health status and degree of pain the kitten experiences. If he meows deeply and constantly, don't hesitate to take him to the veterinary clinic to check his health. In addition, if you notice any negative changes in your appearance or your usual behavior, we also recommend consulting your trusted veterinarian.
  7. Communicate your dissatisfaction: If you do something your cat doesn't like, like locking him up, for example, you may hear some mewling complaints. This is a way that cats have to communicate dissatisfaction with certain attitudes or abnormal events in their domestic routine. In addition, if your cat doesn't have an enriched environment for entertaining while he's alone at home, these meowing sounds can also appear when you go out and leave him unattended, and can be accompanied by frequent crying.

However, despite advances in clinical ethology, there is no standard and rigorous manual to understand the cat's meows, as each cat is a unique being, with a unique behavior. Therefore, it is essential that you take the time to get to know your personality, observe your behavior and gradually learn to interpret each sound and each posture. This is a beautiful and very fun exercise that will allow you to share good times with your feline and improve your daily relationship with him.

Is your cat meowing a lot or weird?

As cat meowing has many meanings, there are also many possible explanations for why a cat meows a lot. Your furry friend can meow a lot because he is sick and in pain, so it is essential to be vigilant to ensure your good health and to offer proper preventive medicine throughout your life. Elderly cats may start meowing more than usual because, aging causes a progressive deterioration of their senses and cognitive functions, making them more vulnerable or weak, and they are hypersensitive and reactive to all types of stimuli.

If your cat spends a lot of time alone and doesn't have an enriched environment for entertaining and exercising, excessive meowing can seem like a symptom of stress, boredom, or anxiety. On the other hand, if you come home and your cat meows a lot when you see you, he may be asking for your attention and/or reminding you that he is hungry, or wants to play with you.

On the other hand, if you notice that your cat meows strangely or has stopped meowing, you should know that the aphonia or hoarseness it can be a symptom of colds in cats, as well as some conditions in the larynx or respiratory system. Therefore, we recommend that you take him to the veterinarian when you notice any changes in his vocalizations, postures or behaviors, such as hearing a deep or weaker "chopped" meow than it normally sounds.

Does your cat meow when using the litter box?

if your cat mia when going to the sandbox, you should be careful as this can be a sign that he is in pain and has difficulty urinating or defecating. Painful urination can be a symptom of some urinary tract disorders, such as urinary tract infections in cats. On the other hand, pain during defecation or constipation can indicate digestive disturbances, or excessive accumulation of hairballs in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, if you notice that your cat meows when you go to the bathroom, the ideal is to take him to the vet urgently and tell him about this behavior of your kitten.

However, if your cat is in the habit of "call him", meowing to see him take care of his needs or accompany him to eat, you may be dealing with a habit inherited from childhood. When adopting a kitten, many guardians are in the habit of being present and accompanying them as they feed or relieve themselves.

It is not considered bad, as it is very important to pay attention to your cat's nutrition and check that your feces or urine do not have any abnormalities, such as blood or the presence of parasites. However, your cat can associate this behavior as part of their routine and will do so in adulthood due to conditioning during their puppy stage.

In this case, you will notice that your meow is different, as it does not express pain, but wants to retain your attention and guarantee your presence. Also, as is a habit, these vocalizations will appear daily, unlike the meowing due to pain or difficulty "going to the bathroom," which will start suddenly when the kitten's body is affected by some condition.