As a cat owner, most likely you have heard different noises from your cat whether it’s a quick chirp to say “hello” or a long meow to say, “feed me”! Cats love to talk to their owners and have evolved their vocalizations over generations to better persuade their humans. Over time, cats have learned over 100 vocalizations, that’s a lot of ways to communicate! Read below for a crash course in the most common cat noises.
Meows
This vocalization is the most common to hear from your feline friend. Primarily, cats use this sound to interact with humans rather than communication with their own. In the wild, only kittens make this sound to communicate with their mother but will lose this vocalization as they grow up.
Depending on the pitch of the meow, this vocalization could have different meanings. Short, high-pitched meows could be used as a greeting or to grab their owner’s attention. Mid pitch meows may indicate that your cat is asking for something, their version of saying “please”! A low pitch meow might mean your cat is unhappy, expressing that something is wrong. This type of meow could also be a warning, so it’s best to exercise caution if your cat is exhibiting this behavior.
Purrs
Whether you’re a cat owner or a cat enthusiast, listening to purring is calming and soothing. A cat’s purring communicates positive emotions like excitement, contentedness, or happiness. Purring can also be accompanied with kneading, a behavior where they push up and down with their front paws. This behavior stems from when your cat was very young, kneading to get milk from its mother. When cats continue this behavior into adulthood, it is seen as an affectionate gesture. If your cat starts kneading on you and purring, consider it an honor!
However, purring along with other troubling behaviors can indicate your cat is injured or in pain and is purring to self soothe. If your cat is in pain, the purring won’t be the only behavior. You should take your cat to the vet if your cat is refusing food, exhibiting habits outside of their normal behavior, even when paired with purring.
Chirps
A cat’s chirp is a result of their hunting instincts. In the wild, a cat’s chirp is meant to mimic other birds and rodents, luring them closer to the cat. A cat chirps by opening their mouth quickly, using their vocal cords to make high pitch short sounds. If you see your cat intently looking at the window and chirping, you’re sure to find a bird or squirrel nearby.
If you notice your cat chirping at the window more than usual and medical issues are ruled out, two solutions are to increase playtime or create a barrier. A great way to encourage playtime is with a cat wand toy. This toy allows your kitty to stalk, chase, and capture, letting out their inner hunter. Your cat also gains satisfaction from catching its “prey”. If extra play sessions don’t decrease this behavior, consider adding a barrier to the lower section of your window where your cat likes to bird watch. Window screens or window stickers are popular choices.
We’ve barely scratched the surface on identifying the different sounds a cat uses to communicate, but by knowing these three basic categories, you will be more in tune with your feline friend. If you liked this article, visit our Instagram, Peak City Puppy, for entertaining trivia, service reminders, pet spotlights, blog posts, and more.
