How to Decode The Secret Language of Your Cat
Meow, Purr, Chirp, Trill, Chatter, Caterwauling
Cats have the widest range of vocalization of any pets (except for birds).
It is believed that there are over 100 different vocalizations that cats make. However, the ones they use most frequently number only about 11. Besides vocalizing, cats use their body movements to communicate also.
So, those noises your cat makes are not just gibberish. Your cat is actually trying to communicate with you.
Some breeds of cats appear to vocalize more than others (Siamese and Burmese).
Kittens are born blind and deaf and so they meow to alert their mother that they need attention.
Why are kittens born blind and deaf?
From an evolutionary standpoint having a litter of kittens helpless and nearly immobile was an advantage in the sense that it meant the adult cat could leave them unattended in the den and go and hunt.
Having kittens helpless in the den gave the kittens a greater chance of survival. If they were able to hear and see from birth they would likely leave the den without the mother, and be at risk of being killed by predators.
Once they have grown a bit more their eyes and ears start to function fully (7–14 days)and they are more likely to survive when leaving the den.
Why do kittens and mother cats purr at each other?
It is believed the mother cats purring at her kittens creates a vibration so her blind and deaf kittens can locate her. Kittens start to purr back from about two days old and often knead and purr at the same time when they are feeding off the mother.
It is believed that the purring of kittens is also a way for the mother cat to locate them. The purring and kneading together can be retained in the adult cat.
Often an adult cat who is purring will start to ‘knead’ with their paws.
Once a cat is an adult they do not usually meow at each other.
It appears that adult cats nearly always only meow at humans.
This might be for the same reason that kittens meow at the mother cat, to get attention, affection and meet their needs.
So, that meowing your cat is doing — he/she is TALKING to YOU.
Here is an explanation of each of the common sounds you may hear your cat making.
Meowing
There are multiple combinations of body movements along with different sounding meows that will indicate to you what your cat is trying to say.
For example, if your cat is standing next to its food bowl and meowing copiously looking at you, and rubbing around your legs it is most likely asking for food. Or, if it is standing next to a door and scraping on the door with its paw at the same time as meowing it is most likely asking you to let it out.
Cats use variations in pitch, tone, and frequency of meows to communicate. An increased frequency in meowing may indicate to you your cat’s state of mind (hurry up and feed me NOW).
Most of the time meowing indicates requests for attention, saying hello, asking for a need to be met, or just talking ‘back’ to their human who is talking to them.
Sometimes a meow may indicate something is wrong or your cat is ill, scared or lonely.
Learning to read what your particular cat’s meows mean is important as their vocalizing is unique.
Purring
This deep throaty hypnotic rumble is so appealing to us humans.
Scientists are still not 100% sure how a cat creates their purring sound.
It appears to come from their internal laryngeal muscles, and interaction with the diaphragm muscles and occurs on both the inhale and exhale thereby making a constant sound. The purr itself appears to be triggered by a unique “neural oscillator” in the cat’s brain.
The purr has been called the feline equivalent of a smile.
Cats rarely purr when they are on their own. It appears to most often be linked to pleasurable sensations.
Cats often knead when they purr as a throwback to kittenhood when they purred when feeding off their mothers.
Some cats never purr. Less confident cats appear to purr more as it appears to be a submissive gesture saying ‘I am no threat’ or ‘comfort me’.
Cats can also purr when they are frightened or in pain. If you are not sure if your cat’s purr is a ‘worry purr’ look to see if her ears are back or if her body seems tense. Scientists have found that the sound frequency of a cats purr (between 25 and 150 Hertz) may assist in healing and increase bone density. Because cats also sleep so much it has been speculated that the low energy purr may assist in stimulating their muscles and bones.
There is still much we do not know about why cats purr.
Chirrup or Trill
A chirrup or trill has been described as a cross between a meow and a purr. Mother cats often use them with their kittens to tell them to follow them.
Your cat may use it to try and get your attention or if they are excited. It is the cat version of saying ‘yes!’
Some cats use it as a form of greeting or to say ‘hello’.
Chattering
You may see your cat doing this if they are looking out the window at birds and appear super excited and even start to ‘stalk’.
It appears to indicate predatory excitement. It may also indicate frustration when they can’t reach something (insect, bird, squirrel).
Some animal behavioralists think that the chattering may be mimicking the sound of a bird.
Your cat's body language at these times is usually hyper-alert, with ears forward and eyes intent.
It is usually a very short sound of less than one second in duration. The cat may make a percussion of them in a quick sequence.
Clickety ‘Chirp’
This is another sound that is very similar to chattering (above) and made in the same circumstances.
Hissing
A cat will hiss when it feels threatened, or in danger and is getting ready to attack. It is often directed at unknown cats or dogs.
The cat will arch its body, ears are pulled back and stand on the tips of its paws ready to attack. Your cat will often open its mouth in a threatening gesture showing its teeth, its tail and fur will fluff out making it appear bigger.
The hissing sound is distinctive and sounds like meat cooking on a barbecue.
The hiss is a warning that they are about to attack.
Most cats would prefer to escape than attack so take it as a warning. Never punish a cat for hissing. Be aware of what the trigger is, and give the cat time to adjust. Give the cat space.
The hissing sound is created by the cat forcing air out of its mouth through an arched tongue.
Some animal behavioralists believe this hissing may also be mimicking the sound of a snake before it attacks.
Yowl
According to ModernCat, the yowl is a long drawn out moan, that denotes “worry, discomfort, territorial concern or mating issues.” It can be shrill and wailing.
Most yowls are directed at other cats. Cats can start to yowl if another stray cat is invading their yard, or if you have recently moved house. A cat may yowl if they are not desexed.
If your cat starts to yowl and you cannot find a reason it may indicate illness so a trip to the vet may be in order.
Caterwauling
(ahh-roo-ugh)
This is the sound that a female cat in heat will make when calling out to males (who may be yowling outside). The caterwauling is done to let male cats know she is ready to fall pregnant and is fertile.
Female cats of reproductive age who have not been spayed will go on ‘heat’ a number of times each year. Each cycle can last up to 10 days.
It has been described as a plaintive hollow sounding version of a yowl.
Your cat will do anything to try and escape outside whilst she is on heat. Female cats may become overly affectionate at this time.
Scream
Hearing a cat emit a blood-curdling scream (usually after a long yowl) in the middle of the night is enough to make anyone jump out of bed imagining the worst.
A cat may scream after being hurt after being in a catfight, or it may be made by the female after mating.
The male cat has a barbed penis (like a fish hook). They have a barbed penis to stimulate ovulation (sex causes the female cat to release an egg) and also to keep the female cat from escaping during intercourse, and to keep their penis from slipping out of the female. The male cat also prevents the female from escaping by biting down on the back of her neck.
The female cat will willing present herself when she is on heat to the male for mating to take place and may do so multiple times in one night.
The mating process only takes between 1–20 seconds but the female cat immediately starts thrashing around on the ground afterward for up to 20 minutes. It is thought this may be due to altered hormones arising from ovulation.
She will often aggressively attack the male cat after mating.
She may lick around her genital region for quite a few minutes. It is thought this may be to get the scent of the male cat off her so she is ready to mate again (within 30 minutes).
The barbed penis releases a chemical in the female that causes ovulation to occur after mating. Ovulation can occur 20–50 hours after mating. A litter can contain kittens from multiple sires.
***Warning***This video shows cats mating behavior and also photos of the barbed penis and explains how this stimulates ovulation in the female cat when mating (do not watch if you do not want to see this).
Snarling and Growling
These sounds can often be emitted by a cat before they hiss or yowl. According to ModernCat, it can be an indicator of fear, anger or territorial threat. Snarls and growls can either start or end with a yowl.
These noises are meant as a warning and can be directed at humans, animals or other cats.
Snarls and growls can also indicate fear and vulnerability.
Sometimes if you are introducing a new cat into the home you will hear these sounds from your first cat. Cats can hiss and growl when they have been caught by surprise by an intruder cat or something else that has caused fear.
It may also just be an indication of annoyance if they have had enough of being stroked or petted.
A deep prolonged growl is usually not to be ignored and is a serious warning from your cat.
Other physical signs of aggression will be lips drawn back from the teeth, and ears pulled back against their head.
Cats may growl when they eat, to protect their food, especially if they have been rescued from the wild -they are used to having to fight for their food. They may also growl when they eat if they have dental issues.
If you have more than one cat and one or all growl, you may need to separate them when they are eating to reduce their anxiety.
In Summary
Cats have diverse personalities. They are elusive in so many ways, but they also show varied emotions in so many situations.
They appear to attempt to communicate with us humans in ways they do with no other animals or each other.
For this reason, the relationship between a cat and its owner is so unique and can be powerful.
They can be brilliant actors. They can cut you dead. They know your vulnerabilities and will mercilessly exploit them. They will show you affection when you are at your most vulnerable.
Cats are not afraid to be who they are and unashamedly show it. They show everything they are feeling, including disdain. A cat in full-blown rage is a fearful sight to behold.
Humans long to be close to their pets. Pets can in some instances increase stress in a human’s life, but for the most part, humans find warmth and connection with a pet that sometimes they can not replicate with humans.
I hope you will be able to understand your cat's language better now. Cats are doing their best to communicate with us. It is up to us to interpret what they are trying to say.
“Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what you want.” ― Joseph Wood Krutch
