Meowing and rubbing against stuff is what cats do. Own a cat and you’re going to encounter at least one of these behaviors on a daily basis.
Meowing is a cat’s way of communicating verbally, while rubbing is typically a form of scent marking or bunting (a cat bonding behavior).
Both are perfectly normal. In fact some breeds are known to be extremely vocal – the Siamese cat is a classic case in point.
That said, if you’re concerned that the behavior has become excessive, there might be an issue.
So what are some of the reasons that your cat keeps meowing and rubbing against things? Let’s take a look!
My Cat Keeps Meowing and Rubbing Against Everything – Why?
Excessive meowing and rubbing might indicate that a cat is in heat. It could also be a show of affection, a greeting or an attempt to get your attention.
The behavior might also suggest that your cat is feeling anxious or stressed.
- In Heat
- Affection/Greeting
- Attention Seeking
- Allorubbing
- Anxiety
Let’s explore these potential reasons in a bit more depth.
In Heat
If you own an unspayed female cat and she’s meowing a lot while rubbing against you or inanimate objects, she could be in heat.
Female cats in heat are usually more affectionate and will often purr and roll on the floor. This can last up to ten days, repeating every eighteen to twenty four days.
So be prepared!
Affection/Greeting
Cats often show affection or greet their owners by meowing and rubbing against their legs and other parts of their bodies.
This type of rubbing is known as bunting. The cat will rub or nudge his face against you or another pet, depositing a scent as he goes.
Generally speaking, this type of contact is born out of affection and bonding rather than scent marking.
And it may be more pronounced if you’ve been away from the house.
Attention Seeking
While sometimes aloof, cats actually enjoy having social interactions with their family members.
To get our attention, they’ll often rub against us or nearby objects while meowing repeatedly.
They’ll often follow their owners around the house as well.
Cats left to their own devices for long periods are known to do this, especially Siamese.
But it could also be that your cat is hungry and needs nourishment straightaway!
In this case, both the vocalisation and rubbing may continue right up to the moment you deposit the food – ever have a cat weave between your legs as you fill the bowl?
Allorubbing
Allorubbing is when one cat rubs his flank against the other (or a human).
Similar to bunting, it’s a form of social communication between felines that have become familiar and friendly with one another.
If you’ve introduced two cats and they’re doing this, you’re most definitely on the right track!
However, this kind of behavior is rarely excessive and should not be confused with mating signals.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a less likely reason that your cat is meowing and rubbing against things. Excessive vocalisation usually indicates anxiety but rubbing is not a symptom.
With that said, if you’re concerned that your pet may be suffering from anxiety look out for other potential symptoms such as:
- Excessive Grooming
- Excessive Vocalization
- Hiding
- Lack of Appetite
- Restlessness
- Trembling
What to Do About Excessive Vocalization and Rubbing in Felines
Before trying to reduce this behavior, pay attention to the context in which your cat is meowing and rubbing.
To better understand a cat meowing, listen and observe so that you can identify potential causes.
You should then be able to identify the main reasons and take appropriate steps. Some pointers:
- If your cat is meowing at you and rubbing as a form of greeting, there’s not a great deal you can do. Take the greeting as a complement and return the undying affection!
- If he’s hungry, feed him. However, make sure that you’re providing food according to your schedule, not his. Pandering to a hungry cat can result in weight-gain.
- Should your cat be meowing and rubbing due to being left alone, consider acquiring a companion cat. A pet sitter might also be an option here.
- The most effective way to reduce excessive vocalisation and rubbing caused by a heat cycle, is by getting your female cat spayed. Keep in mind that it might put a stop the behavior completely.
- Never shout or reprimand your cat for being vocal. Instead, show patience and try to identify the cause.
