Cats can be very vocal companions, and trying to understand what all their nuanced sounds can mean can be a little tricky for any owner.
“Some cats are more talkative than others, which could be due to how they were raised—a feral cat would likely not meow as much as a bottle-fed cat, for instance,” says Dr. Diana Delgado, a veterinarian with the Dunedin Animal Medical Center in Florida (DAMC). “Vocalization may also simply be a facet of a cat’s personality, just like some humans are more talkative.”
Here are five common cat sounds and what your cat is trying to tell you when she makes them:
Purring
Purring is usually a sign of contentment, but some cats are also known to purr when they are anxious or not feeling well, says Dr. Andrew DeStefano, a general veterinarian with DAMC.
“I think purring is a mechanism cats use to comfort themselves when they do not feel well,” Delgado says. “I have seen my own cat purr after being sick; the purr she emits when she is sick is louder and different than her normal, content purr.”
Although the reasons behind why your cat purrs may vary, Delgado says purring starts in infancy as a way for kittens to communicate with their mother and help form a lasting bond. “That instinct to purr and knead as a kitten then develops as a way of bonding with their human,” she says.
Meowing
Although it is not rare to see kittens meowing at each other, adult cats do not often meow as a way to communicate amongst themselves, Delgado says. Instead, meowing has become the preferred feline method of communicating with their humans.
“Most of the time, a cat’s meow is a way to get their human’s attention,” says Delgado. “If a door is closed and my cat wants to go into that specific room, she will meow and sit in front of that door.”
In addition, cats often have a different meow they use when they’re feeling sick.
“If your cat was never a big talker and is now meowing a lot more, that could be a sign that they are sick,” says Delgado. “If they are vocalizing more when eliminating in the litter box, this can be very concerning and would be a good time to call your veterinarian.” Excessive vocalizing can also be a sign of a thyroid issue, she adds.
Caterwauling
The sounds of a cat caterwauling can be unnerving and sometimes even scary, but they don’t always mean something bad is happening.
“Caterwauling is a loud wailing sound that generally indicates extreme distress, but it is also used by intact males and females during mating,” says DeStefano. “If you hear this sound you should investigate, but don't be shocked if you walk in on something you didn't expect.”
Trilling
Trilling and chirping are sounds that cats use to communicate with each other and humans, usually as a direction to follow or to attract attention, says DeStefano. “It's used by females to direct her kittens, and likely becomes generalized into adulthood.”
While watching birds and other prey, DeStefano says cats will also sometimes make a noise that sounds like a chattering or a twittering noise. “Some behaviorists believe these are simulations of the ‘killing bite’ used to capture and kill prey,” he adds.
Hissing
Cats can hiss for different reasons, but Delgado believes the hissing sound is usually a warning to stay away or stop whatever it is you are doing.
“Another time I hear a hiss the most is if something is painful—for example, if you step on a cat’s tail, they will hiss,” Delgado says. “If they are simply surprised or scared, most cats will run and hide but not hiss. In addition, a feral cat will run away from strangers, but typically will only hiss if they feel cornered.”
Hissing is also used by cats who are irritated, according to DeStefano. “It's their way of saying ‘stay away’ or ‘leave me alone.’"