What Your Cat’s Unique Sounds Can Teach You About Feline Communication

Learn more about feline communication and what your cat’s noises really mean!

Have you ever wondered what your cat is saying with their meows, purrs, and chirps? Cats can be a bit elusive, but their sounds can tell you a lot about their world. Each sound, from a gentle trill to a loud yowl, has an important meaning. The more you can learn to listen and observe, the closer you may grow to your cat. Let’s look at feline communication and what different cat sounds mean.

Decoding Your Cat’s Common Sounds

Cats developed some of their vocalizations primarily to communicate with humans, not with other cats. Let’s break down the most significant sounds your cat makes, along with what you can garner from feline vocalizations.

Meowing

Adult cats very rarely meow to each other. Rather, meowing is largely reserved for human–feline communication. Your cat can meow for all sorts of reasons, such as:

• In greeting
• Asking for food
• Getting your attention
• Indicating something is wrong

Meows sound different depending on the context. For instance, a meow delivered when your cat is hungry is generally a shorter, higher-pitched sound, while if your cat is upset or frustrated, the meow will be longer and lower-pitched.

Purring

Purring is the soft sound that you are likely to hear when your cat is curled up beside you. Most people consider purring a happy sound, and that’s usually the case. Interestingly, however, cats also purr when they’re scared, in pain, or even dying.

Scientists hypothesize that purring may help cats to calm or heal themselves with the vibrations. If your cat is purring when they are anxious, hiding, or not eating, they could be unwell.

Trilling and Chirping

Trills and chirps are short, high-pitched sounds. Cats often use them as a friendly greeting, especially between a mother cat and kittens, or when trying to get attention. You’ll also hear these sounds when your cat is agitated with excitement. These sounds are usually a good sign of your cat being happy to see you or something else, like a bird.

Chattering

Chattering is a rapid clicking of the teeth. You’ll often hear it when your cat is watching birds or squirrels outside the window. Scientists believe that chattering is a combination of excitement and frustration because your cat sees prey they can’t get to. Some researchers believe that it might also be an instinctive method of practicing the killing bite.

Growling, Hissing, and Spitting

These are rival sounds in your cat’s vocabulary. Growling is a low, rumbling sound that means your cat is threatened or angry. Hissing is a sharp, snake-like sound that means “Back off!” Spitting is an even quicker, explosive sound, that is typically made when an animal is cornered or frightened. All of these sounds are your cat’s way of telling you—or some other animal—to give them room.

Yowling and Caterwauling

Yowling is a long, drawn-out, often mournful sound. It can mean many things, such as:

• Pain
• Loneliness
• Calling out to find a mate
• Confusion or anxiety in older cats, especially at night

Caterwauling is an exaggerated vocalization of yowling. You’ll often hear it around mating season or during a cat fight. If your cat increases their yowls or caterwauls, take them to the vet to check for underlying medical concerns.

Feline Communication 101: What Your Cat Wants You to Know

Cats don’t just communicate with sounds. They often combine vocalizations with body language. Here’s how to read the whole message:

• Tail up + soft meow: Friendly greeting.
• Ears back + hiss: Time to back off!
• Slow blink + purr: I trust you.

What’s more, if you combine your own voice with gestures in return, cats will respond faster and more positively. In fact, cats are more likely to approach you if you use visual cues (such as looking at them or blinking slowly) along with sounds.

Strengthening Your Bond Through Communication

Want to be closer to your cat? There are a few easy ways to “speak cat”:

• Use slow blinks: While looking at your cat, slowly close your eyes then open them again. Studies show cats interpret this as a friendly sign and may even blink back at you.
• Match your cat’s communication: If your cat meows, reply back in a gentle voice. If they’re rubbing against you, give them a light pet.
• Understand their body language: Pay attention to your cat’s normal behavior so you can recognize when they’re communicating differently.
• Respect their boundaries: If your cat hisses or growls, give them space and time to recover.

It takes time to build trust and learn feline communication. The more you recognize your cat’s unique sounds and signs, the more they’ll trust you, and the easier it will be for both of you to understand one another!

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