Why is my elderly cat yowling?

Our cats communicate vocally in a number of ways, from meows and purrs to hisses and growls. These sounds are generally used in mother-kitten or cat-human interactions (such as soliciting food or attention), for defence or when mating.

One of the most puzzling – and sometimes disturbing – cat vocalisations is yowling. A yowl is generally defined as a long, loud cry or howl that sounds unhappy.

It’s not always immediately clear why a cat is yowling. It can sometimes signal physical or mental distress, so it’s important to understand why your cat might be making these noises to address any underlying problems.

There can be many different reasons for yowling in cats. Bear in mind that some cats are naturally more talkative than others, so they may be more given to noisy, prolonged outbursts of meowing or yowling to attract your attention. Breed can also play a part in this. “While some cats never vocalise, there are others that are highly vocal,” says cat behaviourist expert Nicky Trevorrow. “These include breeds such as the Orientals, Siamese, Tonkinese and Burmese.”

If your cat has always been a yowler, it may be perfectly normal behaviour for them. But if yowling is out of character for your pet, then don’t just ignore it – observe them closely to see what’s going on. Here, we look at some of the common triggers for cat yowling.

In some cases, yowling in cats can be a signal that they’re in pain from an injury or illness. But yowling isn’t always the result of physical discomfort. “Cats in pain may vocalise, but they’re much more likely to become withdrawn and quiet,” says Nicky.

If you’re worried that your cat could be suffering, look out for other signs of pain such as a hunched posture, awkward movements, hiding or shying away from being touched – always consult your vet if you’re concerned.

Yowling can also be a form of communication between cats. For example, it’s more common in cats that haven’t been neutered – unneutered males may meow constantly or yowl to signal their presence to females, while unneutered females yowl when they come into season.

There’s little that can be done to prevent this type of cat yowling – traditionally known as caterwauling – unless you decide to get your pet neutered.

Cats may yowl or growl for territorial reasons, to warn intruders off their turf. This type of cat yowling might occur if your pet has seen or scented other local cats, human strangers, squirrels or other “trespassers” outside.

If your cat’s yowling seems to be triggered by something external, it may be helpful to provide a safe space within the home where windows are closed and covered up, so they can’t spot or sniff out any interlopers.

As well as yowling if their territory feels threatened, cats may become more vocal in other situations where they feel insecure or anxious. Unfamiliar places (such as a new house), new pets, new family members or other big changes to their routine can leave our cats feeling stressed, which can sometimes lead to a bout of yowling.

Try to work out if there’s a specific trigger for your cat yowling, so that you can give them extra reassurance and attention if they need it, or provide a peaceful place for them to retreat from any sources of stress in their environment.

If your cat is feeling frustrated or anxious that you’re not around much – or even just bored and demanding your attention – they might make their feelings heard. It’s important to ensure that cats have company and stimulation if they’re lonely or bored. Provide them with toys, games and quality time to keep them entertained.

If your pet is an indoor cat, you could consider creating an outdoor play area where they can exercise safely. If you’re not around in the daytime, perhaps you could arrange for a friend or cat sitter to pop in for a play session.

Older cats can be particularly prone to yowling. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), also known as feline dementia, is on the rise as more cats are living longer. The resulting disorientation, anxiety and confusion can set them off.

Other age-related health issues, including failing sight or hearing, can also leave your elderly cat feeling confused and insecure, and therefore more likely to yowl. A deaf cat may become noisier to compensate for their hearing loss.

Meanwhile a number of diseases can cause an older cat to feel hunger, thirst, discomfort or confusion, all of which could lead to increased vocalisations. So, out-of-character meowing or yowling are signs you shouldn’t ignore in more senior cats. “Book a vet check-up immediately to rule out any serious conditions, such as hypertension, hyperthyroidism, osteoarthritis and CDS,” says Nicky.

Increased noisiness can be especially disruptive at night and there are many reasons why a cat might yowl more after dark. It might be that they’re simply awake and bored during this period, or they may have got wind of potential mates or rivals in the vicinity. Offering pre-bedtime games, puzzle and catnip toys or timed feeders at night can help provide stimulation for a restless cat. Providing a secluded resting place away from the sight, sound or smell of other cats, coupled with a soothing pheromone spray, may ease territorial fears.

CDS is often associated with night-time cat yowling and changes to sleeping patterns. Meanwhile other health issues, such as declining vision, can also be a factor in nocturnal confusion and yowling, particularly in more senior cats.

If your older cat frequently yowls at night, make sure to feed them a highly-digestible meal before bedtime to ensure they're not hungry and try to help them expel extra energy during the day so that they feel more tired at night. Read our guide to help your cat get a better night’s sleep – and definitely consult a vet if it’s out of character.

“Never assume any changes seen in an elderly cat – such as more vocalisation – are just a side effect of ageing,” says Nicky. “Excessive nocturnal vocalisation in an elderly cat is a distress signal. So, if your cat’s behaviour changes unexpectedly like this, get them checked out by a vet.”