What does it mean when a cat is making loud angry noises from its throat to another cat?

A cat making loud, angry noises from its throat to another cat is likely expressing aggressive or defensive behavior. This vocalization, often referred to as a "growl," serves to communicate displeasure, warn the other cat to stay away, or display readiness to attack. The growl is usually accompanied by additional body language cues, such as a hunched or arched back, flattened ears, and a puffed-up tail. These signals indicate that the cat feels threatened or is trying to establish dominance and territorial boundaries. In encounters between cats, growling and other aggressive noises serve as initial attempts to resolve potential conflicts through vocal intimidation before escalating to physical aggression or direct confrontation.