Meowing Cat - 11 Cat Sounds and Their Meanings

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 16 February 2021
Update Date: 7 November 2024
Anonim
Cat Vocalizations and What They Mean
Video: Cat Vocalizations and What They Mean

Content

Many pet owners claim that their cats "just need to talk", showing how their cute kittens are expressive. Somehow they're right... Although cats don't need to talk because they have varied forms of communication, it's impressive to vocalization skill that domestic cats have developed. Although they mainly use body language to express themselves, they emit different sounds that, depending on the context, may have different meanings.

You can be sure that your furry friend is "talking" to you all the time, through your sounds, body postures or facial expressions. If you want to learn to understand them better, we invite you to continue reading this new PeritoAnimal article to discover the 11 cat sounds and their meanings.


Cat sounds - how many are there?

This is a difficult question to answer, even for the most experienced in feline ethology. Currently, it is estimated that cats can emit over 100 different vocalizations. However, 11 sounds appear as the most used by felines in their daily communication. Therefore, we chose to focus our article on the possible meanings of these 11 main cat sounds.

Before starting, it is important to note that each feline is a unique and unique individual, therefore, each family can have its own "cat meowing sound dictionary". That is, each cat can use different sounds to get what you want or to communicate your emotions, thoughts and moods to other members of your surroundings.

Cat Meows: 11 Sounds Cats Make

Did you think they were just meows? These are 11 sounds that cats make:


  • Cat meows (daily);
  • The feline purr;
  • Chirp or trill;
  • Cat snort;
  • sexual calls;
  • The grunt;
  • Wheezing or scream of pain;
  • Puppy meow (call for help);
  • Howls and screams;
  • Cat clucking;
  • Murmurs.

Read on and learn to identify each of the cat meows, as well as the other sounds they make.

1. Cat meows (daily)

Meowing is the cat's most common sound and also the one it uses directly to get the attention of its guardians. There is no single meaning for the "Meow" (the typical cat meowing sound) of our kittens, since the possibilities of meanings are very wide. However, we can interpret what our cat wants to express by paying attention to the tone, frequency and intensity of its meowing, as well as observing its body posture. Generally, the more intense the meowing of a cat, more urgent or important is the message it wants to convey.


For example, if your kitten keeps the meowing pattern for a while prolonged and is located close to your eater, it is likely that he is asking for food to satisfy your hunger. If he starts meowing near a door or window, he may be asking to leave the house. On the other hand, a stressed or aggressive cat may emit intense meows, interspersed with grunts, adopting a defensive posture. Furthermore, cats in heat also emit a very specific meow.

2. The feline purr and its meanings

The purr is characterized as a rhythmic sound emitted at low volume and which can have different frequencies. Although the purr of domestic cats is the most famous, wild cats also vocalize this characteristic sound. the cats purr for different reasons according to the age and reality they experience.

A "mother cat" uses the purr to calm your puppies during childbirth and to guide them through the first days of life when their eyes are not yet open. Baby cats vocalize this sound when they enjoy sucking breast milk and when they are afraid of unknown stimuli.

In adult cats, purring occurs mainly in positive situations, where the feline feels comfortable, relaxed or happy, like eating or being petted. However, purring is not always synonymous with pleasure. Cats can purr when they are sick and feel vulnerable, or as a sign of fear in the face of threatening situations, such as a possible confrontation with another feline or being challenged by their guardians.

If you want to know more about purring, find out in PeritoAnimal why cats purr and the different meanings. You'll love!

3. Cat sounds: the chirping (or chirping)

The chirping or chirping sound is similar to a "trill", which the cat emits with its mouth closed. ascending and very short vocalization, with less than 1 second. In general, this sound is most used by cats and their kittens to communicate during lactation and weaning. However, adult cats can also "trill" to greet friendly your loved ones.

4. The cat's snort and its meaning

Do you want to know why your cat snorts? Cats use these snores to self-defense. They open their mouths wide and exhale sharply to scare off potential predators or other animals that invade their territory and threaten their well-being. Sometimes the air is expelled so quickly that the snorting sound is very similar to that of to spit. It is a very peculiar and typical feline vocalization, which can begin to be emitted during the third week of life, to protect itself.

5. Sex calls between felines

When the mating and breeding season arrives, almost all animals with the ability to vocalize make the "sexual calls". In cats, males and females intensely vocalize a lingering regret to communicate your presence and attract your partners. However, males can also make this sound to alert other males presence in a given territory.

6. Cat sounds and their meanings: the grunt

The grunt is a warning sign that cats emit when they have angry or stressed and they don't want to be bothered. Vocals can be short or long, but the meaning is the same. If your cat growls at you, it's best to respect his space and leave him alone. However, if he does this frequently, it is essential to consult your trusted veterinarian as this may be a symptom of a disease which causes severe pain.

7. The hiss or cry of pain: an agonizing sound

If you've ever heard a cat cry in pain, you know how distressing this is sudden, sharp and sudden sound emitted at very high volumes. Cats squeak when they are injured for any reason and when they have finished mating.

8.kitten cat meowing for help

The distress call ("distress call" in English) is vocalized almost exclusively by puppies during its first few weeks of life. In more popular terms, its meaning is basically "Mom, I need you". The sound is like a meow, however, the kitten meowing emits clearly and at too high a volume to communicate any urgent need or imminent danger (hence the name "call for help"). they issue this cat meowing sound if they are trapped, if they are very hungry, if they are cold, etc.

9. Howls and screams: menacing cat sounds

One howling cat or screaming emits loud, prolonged and high-pitched sounds that often appear as the "next step" after the growl, when the cat has already tried to warn of its discomfort, however, the other animal or person has not stopped bothering it. At this level, the intention is no longer to alert, but to threaten the other individual, summoning him to a fight. Therefore, these sounds are more common among unsterilized adult male cats.

10. The cackling of cats

The "Cicling" is the popular name for a type of high vibrating sound that cats emit at the same time as they make their jaws quiver. It appears in situations where extreme excitement and frustration they are mixed, as when observing possible prey through the window.

11. Murmuring: The Cat's Most Enchanting Sound

The murmuring sound is very special and resembles a mix of purring, grunting and meowing. In addition to being pleasing to the ear, the murmur also has a beautiful meaning, as it is emitted to show gratitude and satisfaction for having received a meal that pleases them a lot or for a caress that gives them great pleasure.

do you know others cat sounds meowing? Share with us in the comments below!

See also the video from our YouTube channel about the 11 cat sounds and their meanings: