Buzz
The adorable kitten you recently adopted will grow up quickly and will have a variety of needs that require your attention. Kittens are incredibly sweet, but they can also meow a lot, which can be exhausting for you. By identifying the cause of their meowing, comforting them, and giving them gentle strokes, you can help them stop meowing and bond more closely with them.
Steps
Identify the Cause of the Meowing
Understand the Development Stages of Kittens. Kittens go through specific developmental stages. Understanding these stages will help you determine why your kitten is meowing and how to comfort them effectively. The stages of kitten development include:
- From birth to 2 weeks old: Kittens can orient themselves toward sounds, their eyes open, and they will meow when they cannot find their mother or siblings.
- From 2 to 7 weeks old: Kittens begin to interact, play, and start weaning around 6 to 7 weeks old, although they may still instinctively suckle.
- From 7 to 14 weeks old: Kittens become more active and engage more with their environment. Kittens should not be separated from their mother or litter before 12 weeks of age to minimize the risk of developing undesirable behaviors. Additionally, kittens that are gently petted for 15 to 40 minutes a day during the first 7 weeks will experience enhanced brain development.
Identify the Cause of the Meowing. Kittens can meow for various reasons, such as being separated from their mother too early or being hungry. Identifying the cause of the meowing helps you understand the kitten's needs and provide appropriate comfort. Kittens may meow because:
- They were separated from their mother or litter too early.
- They want attention or petting.
- They are hungry.
- They are cold.
- They may be uncomfortably hungry or restless due to illness.
- They need to use the restroom.
Recognize the Problem When Kittens Meow. Excessive meowing from a kitten can simply be their way of expressing themselves. Understanding that meowing is a normal behavior for kittens helps you get used to occasional meowing.
- You need to determine when your kitten is meowing excessively or why, and if you need to stop them from meowing.
- Note that some breeds, like Siamese cats, tend to meow more often.
Visit the Veterinarian. If you're unsure why your kitten is meowing or are concerned about their health, it's a good idea to schedule a visit with the vet. They will help identify the cause of the meowing and suggest the best solution to address it.
- Let the vet know when the meowing started and what triggers it or makes it better or worse. You can also mention how long the kitten has been with its mother and litter.
- Bring your kitten's medical records if available.
- Answer the vet's questions honestly so that the kitten receives proper care.
Comfort the Kitten
Hold the Kitten. Most kittens enjoy being held and petted by their owners. This mimics the comfort they would feel from their mother and helps them interact and grow optimally.
- Be gentle when handling the kitten. Hold them with both hands to prevent them from falling.
- Avoid picking up the kitten by the scruff to prevent injury.
- Hold the kitten in your arms as if you were cradling a baby—while they may not like being on their back, they'll often rest on your arm and snuggle into your elbow.
- You can place a thin blanket or towel in your arms for the kitten to nest into, but avoid covering them with a blanket to prevent scaring them.
Gently stroke your cat. When your cat is resting beside you or in your arms, be sure to pet it softly. This will help your cat relax, stop meowing, and feel closer to you.
- Focus on gently stroking the cat's head, neck, and under its chin. Avoid the tail or other sensitive areas.
- Be careful not to be too rough.
- Brush your kitten twice a week, or more often if it enjoys it.
Talk to your kitten. Interaction is key to the kitten's development and your bond with it. Whenever your kitten meows, or when you play together, speak to it to show that you're engaging.
- Talk to your cat when you're petting, holding, feeding, or whenever it approaches you.
- Speak in a calm tone to avoid scaring your cat with loud sounds.
- You can call its name and praise it, for example, "Miu, do you want me to hold you? Miu likes it when I hold you like this, doesn't it? Miu is so good!"
Play with your cat. Playtime is another crucial aspect of your cat's development and deepening your connection. If your cat is meowing, it might be asking for your attention, and play is an excellent way to respond to this need.
- Prepare a toy set suitable for its age, such as balls or large toy mice that it cannot swallow. You should also have a scratching post available for your cat.
- You can throw the ball back and forth for your kitten to chase.
- Tie a toy to a string and let your cat chase it. After playtime, make sure to store the toys out of its reach to prevent potential swallowing hazards, such as string, which could cause serious digestive issues or even death.
Create a cozy bed for your cat. Providing your cat with a warm, comfortable sleeping space will help it relax, stay calm, and stop meowing. You can buy a cat bed or use a soft towel or blanket in a box as its resting place.
- Consider placing an item that you’ve used, like a sweater or even a blanket, in the bed to help your cat become familiar with your scent.
Feed your kitten. It’s important to provide your kitten with nutritious food to ensure its healthy development. Feeding it properly will also help reduce meowing.
- Mix canned kitten food with special kitten milk to soften the food until the kitten is 10 weeks old. The food should have a consistency similar to oatmeal. This is especially useful if the kitten was weaned early or abandoned.
- Avoid using regular milk, as it may cause digestive issues.
- Use ceramic or metal bowls for food, as some kittens are sensitive to plastic.
- Always provide a separate bowl of fresh water for your cat.
- Make sure that the food and water are always fresh, and that the bowls are kept clean.
Clean your cat's litter box. Cats, especially kittens, are very sensitive to cleanliness, particularly when it comes to their litter box. Keeping the litter box clean and close to your cat will also reduce its meowing.
- Ensure the litter box is the right size so your cat can easily enter and exit.
- Opt for a low-dust, odorless litter box.
- Remove waste from the litter box as soon as possible. It’s recommended to clean it daily to encourage your cat to use it regularly.
- Place the litter box away from your cat’s food bowl. Kittens prefer not to have their food near their bathroom area.
Give your cat medication. If the vet determines that your cat’s meowing is due to illness, you’ll need to administer the prescribed medication and follow the vet's instructions to help it recover and stop excessive meowing.
- Ensure that you give your cat the full dosage of the medication as instructed.
- Consult with the vet on the best way to administer the medication to minimize any discomfort for your cat.
Avoid ignoring or scolding your kitten. Unless you’re certain of your cat’s needs and intentionally choose not to address them, you should never ignore its meowing—it could mean the cat is unable to access its litter box or is thirsty. Likewise, do not scold your kitten for meowing too much. Scolding will not only fail to stop the meowing but could also cause your kitten to become fearful.
Advice
- Consider adopting two kittens of the same age so they can be companions for each other.
