What Is the Meaning of Feline Vocalizations?

Any cat owner will tell you that her cat communicates his wishes very clearly. Simba uses a certain sound when he's hungry, another when he wants to go outside, and yet another when he wants a scratch under the chin. Each of his meows, purrs, chirps, chatters and hisses conveys something specific.

  1. Meowing

    • Meows range from short, high-pitched mews to long and demanding wails. Except for mothers calling to kittens, this form of communication is usually reserved for people. Feral cats with little human interaction often do not meow at all.

      The length and pitch of the meow can offer clues to its meaning. Cats use short, high-pitched meows to greet us. Demands to go outside might be short and mid-range in pitch, becoming increasingly longer until the request is granted. Morning "feed me" commands might start with a short, happy mew that gets longer and louder until you get up and comply.

    Purring

    • A purring cat in the lap is one of life's simple pleasures. It indicates kitty is relaxed and content. But cats also purr when they are in pain or in stress. For this reason, and because the exact mechanism is still debated, purring is something of a mystery. Unlike other cat vocalizations, purring is produced during both inhaling and exhaling. The prevailing theory is that the purr is produced by rapid contractions of the muscles of the larynx.

    Warnings

    • Cats offer warnings before becoming aggressive. Hisses, growls and spitting mean, "Keep away." If a cat is unpleasantly surprised, she will often hiss first. If that does not deter the interloper, growling and spitting will ensue. Long and low growls warn that the cat is ready to defend herself. Spitting is an attempt to scare away the intruder. Bites and scratches do not occur without warning.

    Chatters and Chirps

    • When your cat watches a bird or other prey species through the window, he produces a distinctive chirping accompanied by rapid teeth chattering. Opinions vary as to what the cat is expressing by this behavior; these expressions may indicate frustration, rehearsal of prey kill and excitement at seeing the bird.

    Unpleasant Sounds

    • If you've ever heard cats fight, you've heard an entire spectrum of shrieks and screeches and snarls. These occur when the cat is defensive and angry. The warnings didn't work.

      A long, loud and repetitive yowl, such as might be heard at the veterinarian's office, indicates anxiety or agitation. An un-neutered Tom roaming the neighborhood might produce a caterwaul to let everyone know he's there. Unspayed females produce yet another sound--repetitive bursts of yowls punctuated by affectionate mews.

    Other Sounds

    • Cats also chirr, trill, lowp and moan, and even combine basic vocalizations to produce new ones that might be unique to your cat. According to a Cornell University study (see Resources), cats make nearly 100 different types of vocalizations. Learning their language can be challenging but ultimately fun, and communicating with Callie is a satisfying addition to the human-cat relationship.

    Considerations

    • Some breeds, such as the Siamese, are famous for being very vocal. Others, such as the Manx or Persian, are generally quieter. If your cat normally does not vocalize but suddenly begins to excessively, or if she usually talks a lot but suddenly stops, consult your veterinarian, as these could be signs of an underlying problem.