If you think the sounds your cat makes—the meows, chirps, yowls, purrs, and other cat noises—are just random gibberish, think again. Your cat is actually communicating information about her world and about how she feels toward you. The good news is that if you listen closely, you can begin to understand what your cat’s meows are all about and use that understanding to your advantage. Read on for 12 cat sounds your cat makes and what they mean.
Next to birds, cats have the widest range of vocalizations of any domestic pet. While best known for their meows, purrs, hisses, and growls, the list of cat sounds they regularly make is more comprehensive than this. Depending on the situation, your cat is capable of making many different utterances with multiple subtly different variations according to importance. Some reflect happiness and ease, while others indicate worry, fear, or even anger. However, all are indicative of your cat’s emotional state of mind.
Cat meow sound
Cats are social animals and communicate with each other and their environment using different vocalizations. The meow is a very common cat sound that is typically used when communicating with humans. The purpose of the meow can vary depending on the context in which it is used, but generally, it is used to attract attention, request something, or greet us humans. It can be a little bit different from the meows of kittens, which are more often used to communicate with their mothers.
Meows are a great way to get our attention and they can also signal that a cat is lonely or wants something. For example, if a cat meows when we are not around, it can be a signal of loneliness or the need for something like food or attention. On the other hand, if a cat meows incessantly and in an unnatural pattern, it can be a sign of illness or injury.
Meows are also a way for cats to signal their frame of mind. Rapid-fire meows can signal that a cat is excited or happy, while meows that are lower pitched and slower can signal that a cat is more content or relaxed.
Cat purr sound
Cats often make a soft, rhythmic sound called purring when they are happy and content. The purr is generated by the cat’s vocal cords vibrating, producing a rumbling sound that is typically associated with a contented cat.
Purring is a way for cats to express their happiness and contentment, and it is a very calming and relaxing sound. It can also signal a cat’s need for attention or a request for something, such as food or playtime.
If your cat is purring while nestling in your lap or cuddling with you, it is a sign that she is very happy and content. However, if the purring is accompanied by a tenseness of the body or ears that are flattened against the head, it could signal that your cat is agitated or in pain.
Cat chirps, trills, and chirrups sound
These birdlike utterances are used by cats to communicate a range of emotions and purposes. Chirping can be a way for cats to signal their attention or to attract the attention of humans or other cats.
Trills and chirrups are often used by cats to signal their happiness and excitement, particularly when playing or greeting humans. These chirping sounds can also be used to signal a cat’s interest in something, such as a toy or a new object in the environment.
Chirping can also be a way for cats to signal their territorial claims or to mark their territory. However, chirping is not always a positive signal, as it can also signal a cat’s agitation or anxiety. Therefore, it is important to carefully observe the context and behavior of a cat that is chirping to determine its true meaning and intention.
Cat chatter sound
Cats may produce a soft, rhythmic chatter sound while staring out a window or at a prey animal such as a bird or squirrel. This sound is thought to be a predatory behavior that is a combination of excitement and stress, as the cat is not able to pounce on its prey.
Some cats may also chirp or trill while chattering, adding to the bird-like quality of the sound. It is important to note that the chatter sound is not a mimicry of bird or rodent calls, but rather a way for the cat to signal its excitement and stress level.
Cat hiss sound
The hiss sound is a clear and unmistakable expression of a cat’s threat and warning. Produced when a cat feels threatened or defensive, the hiss sound is a signal of the cat’s readiness to attack if necessary.
The hiss sound is accompanied by a change in the cat’s body language, including an arched back, puffed hair, twitchy tail, flattened ears, and an open mouth with exposed fangs. Spitting may also occur along with the hiss as a way for the cat to further communicate its threat and warning.
If your cat hisses, it is important to respect its warning and remove the source of its threat. Cat hissing is a natural defense mechanism and a way for the cat to protect itself from harm.
The sound of hissing is a clear and unmistakable expression of a cat’s threat and warning. Produced when a cat feels threatened or defensive, the hiss sound is a signal of the cat’s readiness to attack if necessary.
Cat Vocalization
Unlike the chirp or meow, the yowl is a longer, more drawn-out sound that expresses a range of emotions, including discomfort, territoriality, courtship, and general communication between cats. Yowling can also signal a cat’s unhappiness or dissatisfaction with their environment.
Yowling can serve as a way for cats to mark their territory, display territorial behavior, or attract a mate. Cats that yowl to signal their dissatisfaction or territory can signal that they’re not happy with a particular situation or person. It can be a warning or signal to others cats or dogs that this cat doesn’t like visitors around his space. Yowling can also signal that a cat is not feeling well, such as when they’re sick or in pain.
If your cat yowls excessively, it could be a sign of unhappiness, such as territorial disputes with other cats, dogs, people or unaltered males cats that roam your neighborhood. A cat may also yowl out of boredom. However, it could also signal territorial issues. A territorial dispute could arise when you brought home a new cat. In such cases, your cat’s new friend might mark its territory.
If your cat yows excessively, it could be territorial issues. A territorial dispute could arise when you brought home a new cat. In such cases, your cat’s new friend might mark its territory. If your cat is territorial and you don’t want territorial issues to arise, you should try to get your cat fixed before they turn one year old.
Cat Caterwaul
Caterwauling is a unique form of female cat communication, used mainly during heat (oestrus) to attract male cats for mating purposes. It is a combination of meowing and yowling, often with a mournful, hollow sounding quality.
During the caterwaul, female cats emit a combination of yowling and meowing, with a mournful quality that can sound like “ahh-roo-ough?” This sound is used to attract male cats and signal their availability for mating. The male cats will often respond by milling around the female’s territory, yowling and fighting over who will be the lucky one to mate with her.
The caterwaul is also a territorial display by the female cat, intended to signal her availability to other cats and to mark her territory. It is a way for her to showcase her fertility and attractiveness to potential mates.
Cat Scream
The cat scream is a sound that stops many people in their tracks. It is a high-pitched, blood-curdling scream that is often accompanied by the female’s rear-up position (lordosis) and the male’s bite on her neck, known as mating or copulation.
The scream is emitted by the female cat during mating, when the male’s barbed penis creates pain in her neck, causing her to emit the scream. The scream is also used by cats to signal territorial disputes or other serious conflicts. It is a primeval scream that can be heard during fights or territorial disputes between cats.
To avoid any fighting or territorial disputes, it is recommended to have your cat sterilized and to keep it indoors to avoid any territorial issues.
Cat Snarls, Growls and Other Cat Sounds
Cat snarls and growls are often heard during territorial disputes or when a cat is feeling defensive or threatened. These sounds are usually indicators of fear, anger, or territorial threat.
Cat growling is similar to growling in larger cats such as tigers and lions, but is of a higher pitch and may start or end with a yowl. Cat snarling is a more clipped sound that is often accompanied by a hiss or a bark.
When a cat is snarling or growling, it will typically have a defensive body posture, with puffed up fur, arched back, ears back, and a tail twitching. This posture indicates that the cat is feeling threatened and is likely to react aggressively if necessary to defend itself or its territory.
If you observe a cat that is snarling or growling, it is best to leave it alone unless it is in imminent danger from another animal or person. It is important to respect the cat’s space and avoid approaching or cornering it if it is feeling defensive or threatened.
Cat Breed Talk
Cat breeds have different temperaments and behaviors, and some breeds are more talkative than others. As a general rule, shorthaired cats tend to be more outgoing and talkative than longhaired felines.
Certain breeds of Asian origin are known for their natural tendency to be chatty. These include breeds such as the Abyssinian, Balinese-Javanese, Bengal, Birman, Japanese Bobtail, Siamese, Sphynx, Ocicat, Oriental, Peterbald, Tonkinese, and Turkish Van.
If you prefer a less vocal cat, Persian, Russian Blue, Chartreux, Norwegian Forest Cat, and Maine Coon are breeds that tend to be quieter. However, breed-specific guidelines are not always reliable, as some individual cats may have different behavioral tendencies than their breed’s typical characteristics.
Understanding what your cat is trying to communicate through their sounds and body language will help you better predict their mood, intentions, and needs. Whether your cat is hungry, sick, happy, lonely, playful or angry, understanding their communication will help you better meet their needs and have a more bonded relationship with your cat.