My cat barely meows. How can I encourage her to be more vocal?

Some cats are simply quieter than others. I have a cat that very rarely meows, but that doesn't mean she can't do it. It could be that Sophie isn't highly vocal. It could be that she is lonely now that the other cats are no longer living with you, and that's why she's started yowling. It can also be a sign of a medical illness, such as hyperthyroidism and kidney disease which can be common in senior cats. I'd take her into the vet for a health check this week. I hope this helps!

Hi there. Some cats don't meow often, and as he adjusts to his new home he may start being more vocal, but he may not. Both are normal. If he's feeling well otherwise, you have nothing to worry about. Thanks for using Pet Coach!

Your cat may have laryngitis, which is an inflammation of the larynx or "voice box". Signs of laryngitis include hoarseness and/or loss of voice. The most common causes of laryngitis are excessive vocalization and chronic[ coughing](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/coughing). Both put strain on the vocal cords. Laryngitis can also be due to other underlying medical conditions such as throat infections, [allergies](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/feline-allergies/), tonsillitis, [pneumonia](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/pneumonia-1/), tracheobronchitis, foreign bodies and rarely tumors. Since it has been three days since your cat's symptoms began, I recommend having him evaluated by your veterinarian to check for throat infections or other sources of irritation of the larynx. You may need to feed a soft, bland diet and keep him as stress free as possible during his treatment and recovery.

Thank you for asking the question about Rosie. A common cause of increased vocalizing in older cats is Hyperthyroidism. A benign tumor on the thyroid gland tends to cause weight loss, increased appetite, increased Vocalization, and sometimes vomiting and or diarrhea. I would highly encourage you to have her evaluated by your veterinarian soon. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Brooks. If he's lost his voice and cannot meow, that can be a sign of a medical illness such as a respiratory infection. I would be concerned this could be the case, and I would have him seen by a vet in the morning. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

Hi, and thanks for your question. This sign is often secondary to an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a pharyngitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

If your cat is otherwise happy, healthy, and eating, drinking, and acting normally, I would not be too concerned. If however your cat is not acting like herself she may have an upper respiratory infection or something going on. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.