Cat owners are constantly wondering, “Why?” It seems the mystery surrounding these majestic creatures can never fully be solved. You think you might have them pegged one minute, and then they’re acting like an animal you have never seen before. A lot of owners love this about cats. Each day offers a whole new cat to meet! Others might be worried that they’ll never know the “true” nature of the pet they love so much.
Luckily, much of the mysterious behavior of cats can be chalked up to some pretty simple things. While I can’t really tell you why your needed to be on top of your head, I can tell you why your cat is meowing incessantly outside your door and what goes through their mind when this is happening. Let’s find a solution!
Why Is My Cat Meowing Outside My Door
Having your cat meow outside your door is one of the cutest things they can do. Hearing that little meow in the morning can just warm your heart, but sometimes you might wonder why. It turns out there can be a few different reasons your cat is doing this.
You Are on Their Stomping Grounds
Cats are territorial creatures by nature. The more time they spend in an environment, the more they consider it their home. I’m not talking about the corner with their bed in it, but rather the house as a whole. Anywhere that your cat roams freely generally becomes “their space”. This can often include your bedroom which your cat may feel is “their space”, permanently. Shutting the door to sleep may make your car feel like they have been blocked access from “their space”. Although this may sound wild, leaving your door open in the morning may help prevent endless cat scratches and meowing at your bedroom door.
They Might Be Sick or Hurt
This is a much sadder and more urgent reason they’re meowing at your door. It is possible that they may have gotten injured in some way playing around while you were sleeping or, even worse, have gotten sick, and their only way to get help is through you, their loving owner. The meowing at your door will likely be more of a cry, and answering by opening the door will usually result in some form of physical distress being shown on your cat, but this isn’t always obvious, so if all of a sudden your cat is crying at your door, it’s more likely something could be wrong with them rather than if they’re just meowing at your door every night on a regular basis.
They Want To Be Let Out
Your cat may be meowing outside your door because they’re an outdoor cat. Much like dogs, cats sometimes need to be let out so they can either use the bathroom or just roam around the yard. If you have an outdoor cat and they’re consistently meowing at the door, try letting them out.
They Want To Be Let Back In
Once you put your cat outside and they’ve had plenty of time to get some exercise and harass some birds, they might start meowing at the door once again. This time, it’s simply to be let inside. Some owners opt for a flap in the door that lets the cat come in and out as they please, but others don’t do this due to the security risk and the possibility of your cat running away. There are now automatic cat doors with specific security features that will put owners’ minds at peace like only allowing certain times of the day. This may be an interesting option to look into if you have a cat that would benefit from a cat door but you’re cautious about security.
They Just Want To Cuddle
Sometimes, if your cat won’t stop meowing at your door, it could just be because your cat misses you and wants to be around you. Your cat has plenty of affection for you, and even if they aren’t the cuddly all the time, they still greatly enjoy being around you and feel comfort that way. People with cat allergies might keep cats out of certain rooms like living rooms and bedrooms. This can be a tricky boundary for your cat to deal with since they like being around you so much.
They are Missing Someone Who Has Left
One of the more interesting reasons your cat is meowing at the door can be because of something you can’t control. If someone in the house that your cat is particularly tied to leaves, they may miss them. This can also happen when the owner or family member(s) simply leaves for the day or a weekend trip, and return later than your cat was expecting you to. They are mostly independent creatures, but they still appreciate you taking care of them and being there for them.
Your Cat is Bored
If you haven’t been hanging out or playing with your cat in their “right way”, you might find them meowing at your door or at your feet. This could happen because they’re not getting enough attention or need more exercise. Give them some fun by playing or cuddling! They’ll eventually be able to be on their own after some attention. Indoor cats are known to get more bored than outdoor cats because of the constricted nature of their existence, but by buying the right toys, spending time, and giving them treats and affection, your cat should be fine.
Your Cat Is Hungry
We’ve all been there…you forget to feed your cat at same time or put inconsistent amounts of food in their bowls. Cats are creatures of habits and do not like change. This is especially true for their food habits. If your cat is meowing a lot, open the door and see what they do. If they run inside to your bed, then they are likely not hungry. If they head off in the other direction towards their food, then you know their hungry. Keeping their portion consistent may help alleviate this issue.
Your Cat is Doubling as a Rooster
If your cat is consistently meowing in the early morning, it may be their way of waking you up. Maybe because they missed you or that they’re really hungry and want you to get up and feed them. It can also just be them saying hi to you and making sure that you’re still there. It can be an adorable and highly annoying way to wake up in the morning, but regardless, it’s part of being a cat owner.
How To Stop Your Cat From Meowing At The Door
Luckily, the solution to stopping your cats from meowing at your doors has to do with the owner the majority of the time. Make sure not to scold your cat. It might work to stop the meowing, but you’re also scaring them and making them fear you in the process. It’s important to maintain the bond between you and your furry friend. It’s not worth ruining that bond over some meowing at your door.
Set A Late Playtime Every Night
Once you’ve realized that this is just part of being a pet owner, you can minimize it by playing with your cat before you go to sleep every night. They love routines; make playing with them part of yours! They will learn to appreciate and understand that you have to sleep after you’re done playing with them. Get them running by chasing a light, climbing a tower, or anything that you think will tire them out. This will help tire them out when you eventually turn in for the night.
Make Sure They Have A Defined Space
If your cat is meowing a lot at your door, they may be doing it because they don’t like or feel comfortable in their space and want you to be there with them. Spend a lot of time with your cat in their area so that they learn to feel comfortable there. This will lead them to feel more comfortable alone. If this doesn’t work, you can leave a few silent cat toys out to can comfort them as you’re sleeping.
Final Thoughts
Your cat meowing at your door can be an annoying, but it’s just because you need to change up your routine or be more attentive to them. Make sure you’re being the best cat owner you can be by playing, feeding, and comforting your cat to make them comfortable being alone and don’t have to rely on you at all hours of the day. The meowing will hopefully stop, and you and your cat will be all the happier for it.
