Help for Excessive Meowing Cat Behavior - The Cat Behavior Clinic

Meowing at Night and Daytime Meowing or Excessive Nighttime Activity are Solvable Cat Behavior Issues (all with a Zoom video appointment)

Cats-exclusively and Over 25 Years of Scientifically Observing and Analyzing Feline Gene-encoded Behavior From a Behavioral Cognitive, Ethological, and Feline Evolutionary Point of View

 
Important Update: we are scheduling Zoom and phone appointments with the doctor and cat behaviorist through September 30th. 

Oxford-trained Cat Behaviorist and Veterinarian 25 Years in Practice in Over 30 Countries with More Cat Owners Purring Than Anyone.  Read 350 Solved Case Study Reviews and Client Testimonials.

For over two decades, the clinic has solved excessive or nighttime meowing for cat owners that have already tried numerous avenues to address the issue themselves or with their veterinarian.  Our certified cat behaviorist studied animal behavior at Oxford University, and The University of Edinburgh – The Royal School of Veterinary Studies.  You can also read more about her behavior study at Harvard University that has enabled her to help cat owners think more scientifically about their cat’s behavior.

Mieshelle’s Scholarly-cited Cat Behavior Science Book is Text Book Curriculum to Certify Other Cat Behaviorists and Help Them Understand Excessive Vocalization Issues in Cats.

Gene-encoded Cat Vocalization Behavior – What’s Normal and What’s Not

Some cat owners are simply dumbfounded that their cat can consistently beat a 5:30 a.m. alarm clock by meowing at 5:28 a.m.  Did you know that thousands of cat owners are dealing with meowing and excessive activity between 3 and 6 a.m. in the morning (or all night long) just like you?  There are several reasons that can cause this behavior, but all can be remedied with a treatment plan addressing crepuscular felid behavior.  Read 350 Solved Case Study Reviews and Client Testimonials. 

“Thank you, thank you!  It was the best one hour of my life talking with you about Simon’s nighttime yowling.  Not only did he stop the 4 years of yowling in 3 days, but I now feel like I understand him better and he is a also a happier cat.  My co-workers say I’m easier going too now that I’m getting adequate hours of sleep! My only regret is not consulting with you sooner.  Your knowledge is invaluable and the cat community is lucky to have you!  Thank you again for all that you do.  Nancy S.  United States – Phone Consultation

Why Our Clients Have Success with Our Comprehensive Feline Cognition Behavior Wellness Program for the Very Complex Cat Meowing Issue

• Our veterinarian and cat behaviorist provide behavior plans based on animal psychology and applied behavior analysis which translates to behavior plans that can effectively solve complex cat vocalization issues long term. 
• Analyzing animal behavior using a variety of scientific observation and recording strategies is important.  Before preparing a behavior treatment plan to change or eliminate the behavior, the behavior must be fully understood.
• A working hypothesis if often in place for certain vocalization issues.
• Depending on your cat, certain strategies that involve sensitization and habituation may be applied to end the meowing behavior no matter when it’s occurring.
• Associative learning can be an important part of your cat’s behavior plan depending on why the meowing behavior is occurring.
• Classical conditioning strategies can also be an important component to ending the meowing behavior.
• Addressing possible social learning in the cat’s environment that needs to be addressed to stop the meowing behavior.
• Self-rewarding behavior is often a part of the problem (it just feels good to meow) and as part of the behavior plan, will become extinguished.
• You will understand how the cat’s brain functions for the meowing issue and how memory relates to the learning process that may have formed the meowing behavior and what steps need to take place surrounding memory to end the meowing behavior.
• Behavior plans are progressive and develop during the 4 week evaluation program period and the clinic provides follow-up at no charge during this time.

End Your Cat’s Meowing Behavior with Intelligent Solutions Based on Scientific Research on the Behavior and Cognition of Felids.

Founder and director of The Cat Behavior Clinic, Mieshelle Nagelschneider who is the recipient of the Golden Purr Award for her contribution to the study of cat behavior with her scholarly-cited book (Random House), is also an acclaimed New York Times feline behavior science author and long time cat behaviorist for National Geographic documentaries and published works for the 37 species of wildcats including domestic cats and wildcat hybrids.  Since 1999, Mieshelle has helped thousands of cat owners get a good night’s sleep in over 30 countries.

During a consultation you’ll learn the importance of your cat’s evolutionary biology, and external and internal factors that are most likely the instigating factor for your cat’s behavior (which is not a misbehavior).  We’ve handled many cases where the cat owner had not had a good night’s sleep in 8 years and others that were about to be evicted because of their cats’ non-stop or early morning meowing.  We can show you just what to do — and what not to do with a progressive behavior plan based on scientific animal behavior methods.  Typically our clients send success reports within 2 weeks of implementing the behavior plan, and usually will have a good night’s sleep the first week. Read about our outstanding clinic success rate. 

During your phone, video, or in-person consultation program with the clinic, you will learn the latest on excessive vocalization and the feline stress response system.  Your cat may have this very common behavior issue that you probably didn’t realize has turned into a complex problem.  Once solved, you will get a good night’s sleep, and may then join our client testimonial list (well-rested clients, that is!). 

2019 Phone/Skype Consult Testimonials:  The use of (behavior plan removed) so far, don’t want to jinx it, is miraculous. I (behavior plan removed) the night after we Skyped. He didn’t bother me again that night or the next. I had to do it 2 more times since (different nights), but it was equally effective, I still love him up (maybe more than before) but it doesn’t involve “face play” and is generally done when I am not in bed.  Alan W.  New York, New York

Mieshelle has lectured at the international level to veterinarians, the Humane Society/SPCA on this very common, yet very complex, behavior issue.  Schedule online or call 1-503-267-8888.

2019 Meowing testimonial:  Week One – “Moe’s excessive vocalization has decreased quite a bit. She now regularly sleeps through the night (or occasionally has one outburst, which is still a huge decrease from before). Her meowing frequency during the day has also decreased. We can now leave the room without her meowing.” Deborah R. Washington DC – Phone Consultation

Solved meowing testimonial:  Well, the cat is no longer waking me up at night.  As you know my doctor advised me to re-home this cat because of my condition, so all I can do is say thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I am happier now at age 65 than I ever have been.  Scheduling with you was a smart move and I hope this testimonial gives your clients the encouragement they need to schedule with you.  I will be in touch to schedule a phone follow-up in approx. 4 weeks.  Also, today I actually had the energy to play tennis for the first time in 9 months.   Regards to you, Robert – Laguna Beach, California.

Cat Waking You Up in Middle of the Night Meowing:  Not getting enough sleep because your cat wakes you up with meowing or yowling all night long or between 3 and 5 a.m?

Let our behaviorist help you and your cat with an issue that you probably didn’t realize had turned into a complex one where cookie cutter or internet advice isn’t appropriate.  Excessive vocalization can be a simple issue, but manifest into several issues rolled into one with many interdependent variables (anyone for a game of chess?). This happens to be one of Mieshelle’s most favorite consultations that she conducts by phone or a video call over the 8 weeks she will be working with you. Cat owners most often see profound results within one to two weeks into the behavior plan and finally begin getting a good night’s rest.

The 11 Most Common Reasons Cats Meow at Night or At Other Times in Descending Order of Likelihood: 

Besides health issues, the situations leading to excessive vocalization, in approximate, descending order of likelihood, are (and it’s common for there to be more than one instigating factor and over time your cat can develop secondary behavior issues which is why you will need a behaviorist to solve the issue):

1. The cat’s hunting clock is set for morning instead of evening (this can be the initial reason, but may not be why the behavior is still occurring)

2. Separation anxiety (SAS)

3. You’ve trained your cat to meow to get what he wants (we see this in about 60% of our cases as part of the issue)

4. Change in environment (e.g., after moving, or adding new pet or person)

5. Change in schedule (yours or your cat’s)

6. Loss of family member

7. Pent-up energy or motor pattern sequences needing to be released or exhausted (mundane or stressful environment)

8. Hunger or diet change

9. Meowing has become a self-rewarding habit and just feels good

10. Certain cats are naturally more vocal than others, but there is still ways to improve this

11. Talkative owners may have more talkative cats, but there is help for this also

Again, often we find that at least one of these instigating factors are at play and secondary behavior issues often develop (as in a habit, ritualistic, or self rewarding behavior). 

More Cat Meowing Issues Solved With a Phone or Video Consultation:

Everything is going great as of the very first night (literally 9 hours after our consultation).  I can’t believe we waited so long to contact you and I’m surprised there are not more trained cat professionals that actually have the expertise to handle this issue.  Your knowledge saved our family and we can not thank you enough. My friends are telling me I look 10 years younger with all the sleep I’ve been getting lately.  That alone is priceless!  Thanks again, Julie M.  New York, NYC – Phone Consultation

Tiffy (behavior information removed) and she sleeps and best of all, so do we. Please tell your clients about this. This has given us our life back. I have 15 min. left.  I will save it for now.  Thank you, Deb. S. Lakeland, Florida – Phone Consultation

Thank you, Mieshelle!  I didn’t think Oliver’s incessant meowing issue could be fixed, but I see now, thankfully, why you are the cat behaviorist and I am not!  If there is anything we can do for you, please let us know.  We are a peaceful and happy family once again!  God Bless, Tim S.  Tampa, Florida – Phone Consultation

Thank you Cat Behavior Clinic!  After the phone consultation I had the best night sleep I’ve had in 4 years.  I haven’t even implemented all the strategies yet, so I am beyond thrilled. Everyone is now happy in this home thanks to you.  We will touch base in 2 weeks. All the best, George M.  New York, NY – Phone Consultation

Hi Mieshelle,   Thank you so much.  I used just one strategy so far and I actually had to wake him up this morning instead of him waking me up at 4:00 a.m.  I will add the other strategies if needed, but so far, that (behavior advice removed) worked overnight exactly like you thought it would and to think I’ve lived with no sleep for 3 years! I feel like I understand Henry better now and cats in general.  Your knowledge is priceless and you have give me my life back.  Best Wishes.  Susan B.  New York, NY – Phone Consultation

Mieshelle, The meowing at night has ceased. So has the excessive grooming. Ziggy is obsessed with (behavior advice removed). Rosemary A.  Berwyn, Pennsylvania – Phone Consultation

Kitty behaviour update — Scooter has been behaving the last 3 weeks, no yowling.  Sarah K.  Squamish, BC, Canada – Phone Consultation

Is your cat driving you crazy? Cat yowling and excessive meowing can do that.

Mieshelle says. “The excessive-meowing consult has become my favorite over the years because I can so profoundly change the lives of the cat owner and the cat. Finally able to get some rest, they say I’ve added ten years to their lives, helped them to keep their apartments (and their jobs, now that they’re no longer so sleep deprived that they can’t function), and even saved their marriages.”

Again, there are many possible reasons why your cat could be meowing (or yowling – making an even louder and more insistent sound) excessively or at inappropriate times. The Original Cause might be a medical issue. I’ve seen quite a few diabetic cats who ate continually yet were still hungry: I’m eating and it’s not working!  Meeeeow…!

Having a behavior consultation for meowing behavior can be particularly important because there may be things occurring in the home that are causing your cat physical or mental distress leading to the excessive vocalization.  You’d be surprised at some of these.

Book a consultation now for your cat’s customized treatment plan and get relief from all that vocalization before the problem becomes worse.