As precious as kittens are, dealing with nonstop meowing can be quite a headache, especially if it's the middle of the night and you have to be up early for work. Thankfully, a few minor adjustments can usually keep your kittens quieter -- and happier, too, for that matter. Phew!
Step 1
Pay no mind to the vocalization. Kittens often cry, yowl and meow in order to get attention from people, even if that attention is not quite the positive kind. According to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, attention is the primary motive behind feline vocalization issues. The kittens may want attention in the form of a petting session, or in the form of yummy treats courtesy of you. If you do not believe that the kittens are in any way suffering from pain or illness, allow them to meow it out. Although the kittens may stop meowing once they realize that it is getting them nowhere, it will likely also work as a long-term plan. As tempting as it may be to acknowledge their "talking," teach them that being silent works a lot better.
Step 2
Acknowledge your kittens' interactive needs. Happy and satisfied kittens are the key to quiet kittens. Kittens thrive on interaction, not only from each other, but also from humans. Set aside time for some meaningful and quality interaction with your kittens every day, whether you stroke their wee backs as you watch television at night or encourage them to chase after the laser pointer. If kittens are stimulated and get sufficient exercise, they will be much less likely to act out and cry.
Step 3
Organize your kittens' feeding schedule. If you are uncertain about how often to feed your kittens, speak to your veterinarian about putting together a healthy, nutritious and suitable meal plan for your fur balls. The ASPCA recommends feeding kittens between three and four times a day, depending on their exact age -- if they are between 6 weeks and 6 months, that is. If you only feed your kittens at specific times of the day, the little ones will rapidly learn that crying for food is a pointless act. Never get off track from your feeding schedule. If you do, it will only teach the kitties that crying for food indeed does work sometimes.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.
References
Tips
- Excessive vocalization can sometimes point to health issues in kittens and adult cats. If you're worried that your kittens' loudness may be a result of pain or any other type of health ailment, seek veterinary attention for the cuties as soon as possible.
Warnings
- Never angrily scold your kittens when you think they're being too loud. All this will do is frighten the fluff balls -- the last thing you need. When it comes to teaching kittens to be quiet, not giving in is the way to go. Also, never under any circumstances lay a hand on kittens who are being noisy. This will accomplish nothing other than causing them to be scared of you -- for good.