Like us, cats are highly communicative creatures, boasting a wide range of vocalizations. Scientific research has identified up to 21 distinct feline sounds, and experts believe their vocal repertoire is even more extensive. These sounds aren’t just random noises; cats use them to create complex “sentences,” expressing a variety of needs, moods, and intentions.
While some breeds, like the quiet Maine Coon, are less talkative than their more vocal counterparts, such as Siamese cats, understanding cat sounds—along with interpreting their body language—is key to strengthening the bond with your feline friend. By learning to decipher these “Cat Calling Sounds,” you can gain valuable insights into your kitty’s world, needs, and emotions. Let’s explore some common cat vocalizations and what they mean, helping you better understand your furry companion.
1. Meowing: The Classic Cat Call
The quintessential “cat calling sound” is undoubtedly the meow. This distinctive, high-pitched vocalization is practically synonymous with cats. Interestingly, while kittens meow to communicate with their mothers, adult cats primarily use meows to talk to humans.
So, what are cats trying to say when they meow? This versatile “cat calling sound” can convey a multitude of messages, including:
- Greetings: A short, cheerful meow often serves as a friendly hello.
- Requests for Play: Meows can be used to initiate playtime and seek interaction.
- Expressing Emotions: Excitement or frustration can both be signaled with meows.
- Demands: Cats meow to ask for things they want, such as attention, food, or access to a specific place, like wanting to go outside or enter a room.
However, not all meows are created equal. A “cat calling sound” that is lower-pitched and drawn-out, or if your cat starts meowing more frequently than usual, could indicate underlying issues like anxiety, boredom, frustration, or even illness. Any significant change in your cat’s meowing habits, or a shift in the sound itself, warrants a check-up with your veterinarian to rule out any health concerns.
2. Purring: More Than Just Contentment
The purr, another well-known “cat calling sound,” is a low, continuous, rhythmic vibration produced during breathing. While commonly associated with contentment and pleasure, purring is a more complex form of feline communication. Cats purr not only when they are happy, but also when they are scared, sick, or in pain.
To accurately interpret a purr, you need to consider the context and your cat’s overall body language. A purring cat with relaxed posture, forward ears, and normal pupils is likely content. However, if a purring cat displays signs of stress, such as flattened ears, dilated pupils, tense muscles, or a hunched posture, the purr may indicate discomfort, anxiety, or pain. Paying attention to these accompanying cues is crucial for understanding the true meaning behind this “cat calling sound.”
3. Chirping: The Bird-Like Call
Chirping is a short, high-pitched “cat calling sound” that closely resembles a bird’s chirp. A series of chirps is often referred to as chirrups. This sound originates as a contact call between a mother cat and her kittens. However, adult cats also use chirping to get attention and to signal their location to other cats or humans.
A frequent scenario where you might hear this “cat calling sound” is when your cat spots potential prey, like birds or squirrels, that are inaccessible, perhaps through a window. In this context, chirping expresses a mixture of excitement and frustration at not being able to reach their desired target.
4. Trilling: A Friendly, Soft Sound
Trilling is a soft, high-pitched “cat calling sound” that sounds like a purr but with a higher tone. Cats often use trills as a friendly greeting and to express gratitude towards their human companions. You might hear your cat trilling when you offer them a treat or give them affection. It’s a common and amicable way for cats to communicate positive emotions.
5. Chattering and Twittering: The Prey Gaze Sound
Chattering, sometimes called twittering, is a unique “cat calling sound” characterized by a low, smacking noise produced by the rhythmic clicking of the jaws. This vocalization is usually voiceless, meaning it’s produced without engaging the vocal cords.
Similar to chirping, chattering often occurs when a cat observes prey that is out of reach. Imagine your cat watching birds outside a window, their body tense with focus, and you might hear this distinctive jaw-clicking sound. It’s thought that chattering might be an expression of hunting frustration or excitement, or even an instinctive behavior related to preparing for a bite.
6. Growling and Hissing: Warning Signals
Growling and hissing are both assertive “cat calling sounds” used as warnings or defensive signals. A growl is a low, rumbling sound intended to deter a perceived threat, whether it’s another animal or a human. It indicates that a cat feels threatened, scared, or is on the verge of becoming aggressive. The intensity of the growl often escalates with the cat’s level of fear.
Hissing is a sharp, drawn-out “cat calling sound” produced by a forceful exhalation of air from the mouth, often with the mouth open and teeth bared. Hissing is typically an involuntary reaction to a sudden surprise or a perceived threat. Both growling and hissing are clear “back off” signals, often accompanied by fear-related body language like an arched back, flattened ears, a twitching tail, and puffed-up fur – the classic “Halloween cat” posture.
When a cat growls or hisses, they are communicating their discomfort and lack of consent. If your cat directs these “cat calling sounds” at you, it’s essential to respect their space and retreat. If they are hissing at something else, try to identify and remove the perceived threat to help them feel safe again. Never attempt to pet or pick up a growling or hissing cat, as this can escalate their fear and lead to defensive aggression.
7. Spitting: The Intense Hiss
Spitting is a sudden, explosive burst of sound, often accompanied by a quick, striking motion. This “cat calling sound” is essentially a more intense version of a hiss. Like hissing, spitting is an involuntary reaction to a perceived threat or enemy, signifying extreme displeasure and a strong warning to stay away.
8. Yowling and Howling: Distress Calls
Yowling and howling are “cat calling sounds” often described as louder, more prolonged meows. A yowl is a drawn-out, mournful sound, while a howl is similar but typically shorter. These vocalizations are strong indicators of distress in cats.
The distress can be physical, stemming from pain or illness, or emotional, arising from anxiety, frustration, boredom, or confinement. Senior cats may yowl if they are experiencing cognitive dysfunction syndrome, or dementia. Cats who yowl when their owners are away might be suffering from separation anxiety.
Yowling and howling can also serve as territorial warnings to other cats, signaling them to stay away. In unneutered cats, these “cat calling sounds” can also be associated with mating behaviors.
9. Caterwauling: The Mating Call
Caterwauling is a loud, drawn-out, wailing “cat calling sound” primarily made by unspayed female cats in heat to attract potential mates. When directed at humans, caterwauling can express pain, discomfort, fear, or a demand for attention. Similar to yowling, it can also be a sign of cognitive decline in older cats.
Understanding the nuances of “cat calling sounds” is crucial for responsible cat ownership. While each vocalization has its general meaning, it’s important to remember that context, body language, and individual cat personalities all play a role in interpretation. As a general rule, any noticeable change in your cat’s vocalization patterns—frequency, intensity, duration, or pitch—should prompt a veterinary visit to rule out underlying medical or behavioral issues. Sometimes, medications to manage anxiety or pain may be necessary to address the root cause of excessive or unusual “cat calling sounds.” By paying close attention to your cat’s vocal language, you can deepen your understanding of their needs and strengthen your bond.
Featured Image: iStock/Petra Richli
