The question “Do cats cry?” is more nuanced than it appears. While cats communicate in various ways, including vocalizations that might sound like crying, their tear production and emotional expression differ significantly from humans.
If you observe tears welling up in your cat’s eyes, it’s crucial to understand that this usually signals an underlying health issue rather than an emotional outburst. Decoding your cat’s communication requires careful observation to distinguish between emotional cues and potential medical concerns.
Let’s delve into the intricacies of feline “crying” to better understand your cat’s behavior and when veterinary attention might be necessary.
Key Points to Remember
- Cats experience emotions, but they don’t express sadness through emotional tears in the same way humans do.
- Tearing in cats is typically a sign of a medical problem affecting their eyes or respiratory system.
- Cats “cry” through various vocalizations and body language to express their emotional states.
Do Cats Experience Emotions?
Extensive research confirms that cats possess a wide range of emotions, and they are also capable of recognizing emotions in other cats and even humans. However, their emotional expression is distinctly feline, differing from human displays.
Unlike humans who might cry tears when sad or yell when angry, cats communicate their feelings through subtle, non-verbal signals and vocalizations. A distressed cat might not shed tears of sorrow, but they will certainly communicate their discomfort in other ways.
Dr. Brittany Klesznyski, DVM, a veterinarian experienced in feline behavior, explains, “A cat feeling bothered might display aloofness and tail flicking as signs of irritation. Cats experiencing stress or anxiety may withdraw, hide, or adopt a tightly tucked body posture.” Understanding these subtle cues is key to interpreting your cat’s emotional state.
Do Cats Produce Emotional Tears?
Cats have fully functional tear ducts that produce tears to keep their eyes lubricated and healthy. They can and do produce tears for physical reasons, such as to flush out irritants or in response to pain. However, they do not cry emotional tears in response to sadness or grief as humans do.
Dr. Klesznyski further clarifies, “Cats are masters at concealing their emotions, making their expressions often subtle. A cat experiencing sadness may become withdrawn from their owner, hide more frequently, show reduced appetite, sleep more, and curl up into a tight ball.” Instead of emotional tears, cats might express sadness through increased vocalization, such as howling or excessive meowing.
If you observe excessive watery discharge from your cat’s eyes that resembles tears, it is more likely a symptom of eye irritation, allergies, or an underlying medical condition rather than an expression of sadness.
Understanding Different Types of Cat “Crying”
While cats don’t cry emotional tears, they employ a variety of vocalizations that can be interpreted as different forms of “crying” to express their needs and feelings. Recognizing these distinct sounds is crucial for cat owners:
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Meowing: Generally, meowing serves as a primary way for cats to seek attention, according to Dr. Klesznyski. Cats might meow to signal hunger, request playtime, or simply desire interaction with their human companions.
- Nocturnal meowing, especially when a cat is excluded from a room at night, could indicate boredom or loneliness.
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Growling and Hissing: These vocalizations are clear indicators of displeasure or defensiveness. A cat growling or hissing is communicating a desire to be left alone and can signal fear, pain, or territoriality.
- Various factors can trigger growling or hissing. A cat might have reached its tolerance limit for petting, be experiencing underlying pain, or feel threatened.
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Chirping: Chirping is often a friendly and engaging sound cats use as a greeting. They may chirp at their owners or other familiar cats they have a positive relationship with.
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Purring: Typically, purring signifies contentment, relaxation, and a positive mood. However, it’s important to note that purring can also be a self-soothing mechanism for cats experiencing stress, severe pain, or even when nearing the end of life. Context is key to interpreting purring.
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Moaning: Moaning is a less common vocalization in cats. Dr. Sandra Mitchell, DVM, DABVP, owner of All Creatures Veterinary Services, notes that moaning can be indicative of underlying pain, illness, anxiety, or simply a way to solicit attention from their owners.
- Pay close attention to the context and accompanying body language when your cat moans to understand the potential cause.
Alt text: Close-up of a cat’s face showing watery eyes, indicating potential eye irritation or medical condition, not emotional tears.
Common Reasons for Cat “Crying” (Vocalization)
Dr. Mitchell emphasizes the importance of avoiding anthropomorphism when interpreting feline behaviors. Attributing human-like emotional crying to cats can lead to misinterpretations. While cats don’t cry emotionally with tears, they do vocalize for various emotional and physical reasons.
Emotional reasons for cat vocalization (“crying”) include:
- Boredom: Lack of stimulation can lead to increased vocalization as cats seek attention or activity.
- Anxiety: Separation anxiety or general anxiety can manifest as excessive meowing or moaning.
- Stress: Changes in environment, routine, or household dynamics can induce stress, leading to increased vocalization.
- Seeking Attention: Cats are intelligent and learn that vocalization can be an effective way to get their owner’s attention for various needs.
- Hunger: Cats will often meow persistently when they are hungry, especially around feeding times.
- Underlying Illness: Pain or discomfort from an illness can cause cats to vocalize more frequently, sometimes moaning or howling.
If you observe actual tears or watery discharge in your cat’s eyes, the reasons are almost always medical, not emotional. Common medical causes for watery eyes in cats are:
- Allergies
- Eye infections (conjunctivitis)
- Blocked tear ducts
- Corneal ulcers
- Upper respiratory infections
- Foreign objects in the eye
Distinguishing between emotional vocalizations and medical symptoms is key to providing appropriate care for your cat.
When to Consult Your Veterinarian for Cat Crying
Often, addressing the underlying cause of your cat’s vocal “crying” can resolve the issue. For instance, if your cat is meowing due to hunger, providing food will likely quiet them down. If boredom is the culprit, engaging in interactive playtime can be beneficial.
Alt text: A person playfully interacting with a cat using a feather toy, illustrating how playtime can address boredom-related vocalization in cats.
However, if you’ve ruled out obvious behavioral or environmental triggers for vocalization, or if your cat is also exhibiting other concerning symptoms, a veterinary check-up is essential to identify potential underlying medical issues. This is especially important when you observe actual tearing or discharge from the eyes.
Additional symptoms that warrant a veterinary visit include:
- Lethargy (unusual tiredness or lack of energy)
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Weight loss
- Squinting or excessive blinking
- Eye discharge (clear, colored, or excessive tearing)
- Redness or inflammation around the eyes
- Excessive pawing or rubbing at the eyes
- Visible third eyelid
- Sneezing or other respiratory symptoms
These symptoms, combined with vocalization or watery eyes, could indicate a health problem requiring veterinary diagnosis and treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cats and Crying
Can cats cry tears due to sadness?
No, cats do not cry emotional tears like humans do. While they experience sadness, they express it through behavioral changes such as becoming quieter, more withdrawn, and less interested in their usual activities.
Why does my cat have watery eyes that look like tears?
Watery eyes in cats are generally a sign of irritation or an underlying medical condition, rather than emotional tears. Dr. Kleszynski explains that allergies, infections, or blocked tear ducts are common causes of tear-like eye discharge in cats.
Is cat crying (vocalization) a positive or negative sign?
The meaning of cat “crying” depends on the type of vocalization. Meowing or moaning might indicate stress, boredom, pain, or illness. In contrast, chirping and purring are usually positive signs of greeting and contentment. Context and other accompanying behaviors are crucial for interpretation.
Should I ignore my cat when it’s crying (vocalizing)?
The appropriate response depends on the reason for your cat’s vocalization. Dr. Mitchell advises that rewarding attention-seeking crying can reinforce the behavior. However, a cat vocalizing due to clear signs of stress or pain should be comforted and assessed for underlying issues. Ignoring potential signs of distress or illness is not recommended.
Medically reviewed by:
Sandra Mitchell, DVM, DABVP, All Creatures Veterinary Services, Eddington, Maine
Brittany Klesznyski, DVM
Written by:
Lindsay Boyers, Freelance Writer
