In fact, all these sounds that cats make are giving you information about their world and how they feel towards you. The good news is that if you listen closely, you can begin to understand what the sounds your cat is making and use that awareness to your advantage.
Cats have the widest vocalization range among pets when around birds. While they are best known for their meows, purrs, hisses, and growls, the list of sounds they regularly make is more extensive than that. Depending on the situation, your cat may make many different expressions, with multiple nuanced variations of each depending on their importance. Some reflect contentment and comfort, while others reveal anxiety, fear, or even anger. Still, they’re all indicative of your cat’s emotional mood.
Types of meows of cats and their meanings:
- Meow
- Purring
- Chirp
- Chatter
- Hissing
- Howling
- Angry cat sound
- Screaming
- Grunting and grunting
The most common cat sound: Meowing
It is perhaps the most common cat sound. The meow of an adult cat is often used to communicate with humans, not other cats. This juvenile sound, first uttered by kittens when they need their mother, fades as feral cats mature. However, since domestic cats tend to see themselves as our eternal offspring, they retain this lovable vocalization throughout their adult lives. Generally, a meowing cat wants attention, food, or access to something. Sometimes a cat’s meow is simply to say “welcome home”.
Sometimes a cat’s meow can express loneliness or even illness. Older cats often meow more because of their reduced senses or anxiety about not being as agile as they used to be. In younger cats, the meow is often shortened to an interrogative “meow” that occurs when alone or hungry. And the frequency of meowing is an indicator of a cat’s mood. His constant meowing quickly may mean he wants attention.
A longer, sadder meow may indicate anxiety, distress, or objection to something. This version will usually have a more guttural sound, as if saying “come on, come on”. And incessant meowing may indicate illness or injury; If you suspect this, you may want to consider going to the vet.
Indicator of pleasant mood: Purring
Perhaps the most enjoyable and hypnotic of the cat sounds, the purr is the soft, deep, squeaky voice that your cat usually makes when she’s in her best mood. It’s a sound coming from the throat. Gently stroking your cat as she settles into your lap is a surefire way to set off that blissful mood.
In rare cases, purring can occur when your cat is upset about something. It’s like singing to relieve your stress while you’re nervously waiting for something. The key to distinguishing this “worry murmur” is body posture. If your cat’s ears are turned back and his body seems tense, the purr sound indicates he’s worried about something.
It can be exciting or stimulating: Chirping
These bird-like chirping sounds that cats learn as kittens are a little more revealing than meowing. Originally used by their mother to tell kittens to watch out and follow her, this sound may also be something your cat is saying against you because she wants you to be careful about something. It can also make chirping sounds when a cat is excited and happy.
Consequence of hunting instinct: Chattering
You may have heard your cat grit its teeth as it longed to stare out the window at a sparrow or a squirrel in a tree. Chattering, sometimes accompanied by a chirping, squeaking, or soft cry, is thought to be an indication of a cat’s predatory excitement and stress of not getting the reward. Some argue that the babbling is actually a bird mimic or rodent call, but it’s an anecdotal sound at best. Because the hunting skills of cats are revealed in silence and secrecy.
You can hear this sound if under threatening elements: Hissing
It’s impossible to confuse a cat’s hissing intent. This sound, reminiscent of meat sizzling on the grill, means your cat feels threatened and is ready to fight if necessary. A big, goofy dog that gets too friendly with your cat will definitely provoke your cat by producing a hiss and maybe more. Along with this threatening sound comes a whole host of changes in a cat’s body language including an arched back, fluffy coat, twitching tail, flattened ears and open mouth, teeth ready to strike. Hissing can also occur with a spit. When your cat takes on this snake-like disguise, back off and do your best to eliminate the perceived threat.
Hissing is very dependent on the cat’s individual perception and comfort level. While some friendly, extroverted cats may hardly hiss at all, a more shy, introverted cat will turn to him when he’s not happy with a situation. Abused, stray or feral cats are much more likely to go into “hissing mode” than a social pet.
You should definitely find out why your cat is doing it for her peace of mind: Howling
Unlike the reasonably happy sound of a meow, howling; is a longer groan that expresses concern, discomfort, or mating problems. It is usually a cat-to-cat communication; It can mean “I want to mate” or “I don’t want you to come to my house”. It can also happen when a cat isn’t feeling well, has reduced senses or cognitive functions, or doesn’t like something around it (perhaps a new cat). It can also be seen in cats that have moved to new areas or adopted into a new home, while some cats may just howl out of boredom.
If your cat starts howling continuously, observe for signs of illness and contact your veterinarian. There may be another cat invading your cat’s territory. In some cases, stray or feral cats may need to be trapped, neutered, and accepted into a possible home. Make sure your cat has plenty of toys and enough attention from you. Sometimes all it takes to end a howl is an extra game session each day.
The most common sound you can hear in estrus: Angry Cat Sound
In this short, mournful, hollow howl version sung by estrous females as they address their prospective mates, it’s almost ‘ It makes a sound similar to the ‘ah’ sound. At the time of this noise, the unneutered female will most likely do her best to reunite with any male cats she wants.
It’s better not to approach the cat if you can hear this sound: Screaming
If the unneutered female is outside, the serving of food will attract a male and mating will definitely take place. The male will take an upside down position called lordosis as he initiates the mating process by biting his neck. When the male’s serrated penis is removed, it causes pain in the female and causes a blood-curdling scream. Cats in the middle of a fight can also scream. These primal cries are usually followed by a long, ominous howl, and often end with a devastating claw slap or a bite.
Indicative of territorial threat: Wheezing and grumbling
A growling or grunting sound may occur as an indication of fear, anger, or regional threat, often accompanied by hissing. Unlike those of larger cats such as tigers and lions, the domestic cat’s growl or grunt is higher pitched and may begin or end with a howl. In general, do not approach the cat unless it is in imminent danger from another cat. A snarling or grunting cat will have the classic defensive body posture, such as fluffy coats, arched back.