All cats meow – it’s their way of communicating. As a Bengal cat owner, you should know how to interpret what your feline friend is trying to say since they’ll always be counting on you to provide what they need.
In a summary, here’s a few potential reasons why your Bengal cat meows so much:
- They might be feeling friendly.
- They want to be involved in your activities.
- You have to clean up their litter box!
- They want food.
- They’re bored.
- They see smaller animals they want to hunt.
- They’re probably sick.
For further reading, I break it down individually. If not, you can keep scrolling.
Read: Why Does My Cat Meow After Pooping?
Reasons Why Bengal Cat Meowing
- Your Bengal is feeling friendly.
This breed is really good at making friends and getting along very well with humans and other animals.
If your Bengal walks up to you and starts meowing while rubbing their body on your leg, chances are, they’re feeling extra friendly and want to spend some quality time with you.
- They want in on the action.
Bengals often follow their humans around the house because they want to be involved in whatever they’re doing.
If they feel like they’re being left out, they may start meowing to remind you not to forget about them. This may happen if you go into another room and lock them in another.
It’s best to just let them follow you around. But, if it’s a no for you, then maybe you should consider getting them a playmate.
- It’s time to scoop.
These cats are more particular about litter box cleanliness than other breeds. Bengals will not hesitate to inform you that it’s time to scoop out the rolls of stinky brown.
Some Bengals can even be so picky about keeping their litter box squeaky clean that you might even find yourself cleaning it several times in a day. If you don’t want to deal with that, they might go off and find another spot in your home to do their “business”.
- They’re hungry.
Bengal cats love food and will meow like crazy if you forget that it’s mealtime. A hungry Bengal is a very noisy Bengal.
They may even go as far as remember where you keep their food and figure out how to access it on their own. Like many cats, Bengals are very food-motivated.
- They’re bored.
My mom always says that a bored Bengal is a bad one – and she’s right. They are a very energetic breed and as a Bengal cat owner, you should always make sure your Bengal has plenty of interactive toys to play with.
It’s also important that you take time out of your day to play with them, preferably before you feed them. Have a regular playtime schedule and stick to it.
- They see birds and other animals.
It’s very common for Bengals to meow and make chirping sounds when they see birds and other small creatures they’d like to hunt. It triggers the predatory instincts they’ve inherited from their ancestors.
Because of this, it’s best to keep Bengals indoors.
- They’re sick.
Most of the time, Bengals are meowing to communicate what they’re feeling, and that means they also ask for help.
If your Bengal is constantly meowing loudly and exhibiting changes in behavior like being less active or refusing to eat food or drink water, it might be sick. When this happens, you should get them checked at the vet right away.
Are Bengal cats very vocal?
Yes, Bengal cats are very vocal.
Purina states that they can be vocal with a distinctive voice which has been described as a cooing or chirping, or as a strange gravelly sound. They have a wide vocabulary that may on occasion be quite harsh on the ear, especially in unfamiliar situations.
Though, it’s important to note that this is not necessarily a consistent breed trait.
Can Bengal cats be calm?
Of course, as long as they’re occupied and well-cared for, but they are hyperactive and they will meow to chat with you regardless.
As they age, they tone down the playfulness and meows less than they used to.
Why does my Bengal meow so much at night?
It may be boredom.
If they didn’t exhaust themselves playing during the day, they’ll surely use that remaining amount of energy by night. Ensure you have plenty of toys for your pet to keep its interest piqued, and engage that before evening comes.
Aside from boredom, Authentic Bengal Cat talks about five more other reasons why. This could be due to nocturnal natural activity, advancement in age, thyroid issues, mating, or your Bengal just feels trapped inside the house especially if it’s so used to being an outdoor cat.
I don’t want to alarm you, and please don’t diagnose your pet just because you read an article about it from the internet, even if I cited references. But excessive meowing from your Bengal may also indicate medical concerns.
Dr. Jeff Levy of Manhattan shares his personal experience with cats that if a patient is howling or moaning in a deep, guttural voice, there’s a serious medical problem. This can be as a result from end-stage kidney disease, a blood clot, an altered mental state, or a signal of a traumatic injury.
Dr. Courtney Marsh, founder of BCCB Pet clinic in Virginia, advises that it is worthwhile to speak with your vet once your cat has changed its behavior.
The signs can vary, such as when the meowing suddenly becomes louder or softer, more frequent, or changes pitch or tone. More examples include vocalizing when jumping on and off furniture, meowing when being handled, or just communicating something all the time.
Should I ignore my cat meowing at night?
If you have provided everything it needs, and it still doesn’t stop, it can be a more serious issue. However, if it’s healthy and it’s just meowing for no particular season, yes – do ignore when your Bengal cat keeps meowing at night.
As much as it creeps you out or worries you, don’t entertain the behavior. If you play with the cat, it’s only going to encourage it to happen again and you might find yourself losing sleep fast in the next nights to come.
Read: Why Does My Cat Sneeze So Much at Night?
Why does my cat walk around the house meowing?
This can be a sign that your Bengal friend is going through stress. It could also mean that the cat is not feeling safe in its territory or it’s ill.
Take the time to observe.
Take note if they had a change of attitude (like decreased appetite) towards something they used to do. If they don’t do these activities as often, don’t wait until it worsens and go to the vet.
Pets on Mom discusses more about this in greater detail.
Why does my cat meow at night with a toy in her mouth?
Your Bengal is proudly announcing that it has caught pray. It’s in their instinct to hunt, and because they’re indoor cats, having a weak-looking toy in their mouth is the best imitation to feel the thrill.
This happens at night because they’re naturally active during such hours. Cats, in general, are crepuscular, a term for animals that are active during low light (usually at dawn and dusk).
But your Bengal can adjust to your schedule. So that you can rest more peacefully during sleep, increase their playtime during daytime.
DDFL provides a more insightful information of what to do or what not to do about nighttime activities in felines. It can be applicable to your Bengal.
What happens if a cat cries?
Nothing mind-blowing happens, but what’s happening is that they’re seeking your attention for some reason.
If you’ve been with your Bengal cat long enough, you should be able to distinguish this type of cry from the other voices it makes. Each cry can be different, conveying unique feelings such as hunger, thirst, boredom, or a sign of discomfort from an illness.
What also happens is that when you keep responding to these cries, and it happens for seemingly no reason, then your Bengal will keep pestering you unless you learn to ignore it (if it’s nothing concerning).
What does a loud purr mean?
It can be interpreted as a sign of contentment. When this happens during mealtime, your Bengal may simply be walking in cat heaven at the thought of food.
They’re really motivated by those yummy stuff.
They may also purr when they’re happily tucked in your arms or on your lap. They do it too when exploring new territory or when soothing themselves after a stressful situation.
Why does my cat purr so loud when I pet him?
Usually, your Bengal just really loves it when you pet him. But don’t always take it as a positive.
As I mentioned in the previous question, they purr to soothe themselves when they’re stressed. When your pet approaches and rubs its body against you, that’s a sure sign that your Bengal is purring in happiness when you pet it,
So, congratulations in taming that beauty (or maybe the Bengal has tamed you)!