All cat owners rely on meows to help decipher how their pets are feeling and what they might need. But did you know cats don’t always use this type of communication?
Researchers believe that cats make sounds like humans – through the larynx (aka ‘voice box’) and supporting the throat muscles. However, they are not always inclined to meow: it is thought that cats only begin to do so when they start interacting with people and become domesticated creatures.
In fact, adult cats very rarely meow for each other. “The most common reason cats meow is because they want something from us, their humans!” share Clare Hemington, recognized cat behaviorist and founder Honeysuckle cat toy. They may also do so to convey joy, as a form of greeting, or to express dissatisfaction or anxiety, among other things.
Want to feel like a fool? Read on for our essential guide to communicating with kittens.
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Common reasons why cats meow
Our furry friends meow for a variety of reasons – but let’s take a closer look at some of the more common types.
Say hello
Whether you’re coming home from work or your cat reappears after a walk around the block, “some cats meow as a greeting,” says Linda Hall, a certified cat behaviorist at Cat Behavior Coalition.
They want attention
Sometimes it’s hard to be a little kitty in a big human world, and they may meow simply to let you know they’re still around and want a little TLC. This attention-demanding behavior can also have downsides, which we’ll explore a bit later.
They’re just chatting
Likewise, some humans talk more than others, some cats just love to meow. Rita Reimers, also a certified cat behaviorist at Cat Behavior Coalition.
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They are hungry
Domestic cats rely on their owners to provide food – they can’t just point to the cupboard and get it! So cats often meow to let you know it’s time for dinner. How much to feed the cat? will largely depend on their life stage and lifestyle, so be sure to check in with your vet and make sure you monitor them regularly. cat’s weight and body.
They are not well
Cats can’t get themselves to the vet if they’re in the weather. Sometimes, you can be more vocal if they are trying to talk to you about their pain and need a little help to feel better.
They are bored
There is no such thing as watching TV or reading to keep cats entertained. If they want stimulation or interaction, Hall explains, a meow can be their way of letting you know they want to play.
They are worried
Moving to a new area or bringing another pet into the house? Based on Humane Society of America“A cat feeling anxious or confused may meow in search of reassurance.”
What does my meow mean?
“Cats can make almost 100 different sounds – so it’s not uncommon to decipher what cats are trying to tell you,” Reimer reveals.
However, by recognizing some of the more common ones and understanding the intent behind them, you can begin to piece the puzzle together.
| Sound Type | What does it mean |
| General meow | Hall says it’s “the most basic meow” and is “a bit of a multi-purpose sound”. |
| Short meow | This can sound like a ‘meep,’ Reimer notes, and is “usually a sign they’re trying to get your attention.” |
| Lots of meows | Two or more cats show that “they are very persistent in getting what they want,” explains Hall. |
| Meow loudly | This could be a sign your cat is feeling unhappy or uncomfortable. |
| Meow loudly | One thing you’ll want to hear more often, as it’s a sign that your cat is delight. |
| Meow meow | A form of complaint, this often arises when we get what they want, Reimer shares. |
| Purr | A sign of happiness or that your cat is comforting itself when it feels worriedunwell, or in pain. |
| Hiss | Hall explains that this is an involuntary sound – and says “they are scared or startled. Comfort your cat and observe to make sure the fear doesn’t turn into an attack.” |
| Yowl | One way of communicating with other cats is “almost a wail begging the attacker to go away!” Reimer notes. Female cats also tend to meow when in heat. |
Is my cat meowing too much?
People get caught up in conversations, cats can meow too also much?
“This is a difficult question to answer,” said Hemington. “Given that cats have developed their meows specifically to manipulate their owners, it really depends on how much you are prepared to suffer and whether you can inadvertently encourage it. are not!”
She notes that some cat breeds, such as the Bengal, Burmese, and Oriental cats, including the Siamese, naturally have much higher voices than others.
Several factors or activities are associated with a temporary increase in meowing, such as:
- You should go home;
- They are feeling hungry;
- They are bored and need entertainment;
- The small box is complete;
- They want to go out;
- They are in heat.
In addition, cats often become more vocal as they age. “Cats lose hearing, vision and memory loss as they age,” Hall revealed. “This can make them louder, in the same way that grandpa starts talking loudly to you as he gets older. He can’t hear himself.”
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You may notice your cat meowing more at night – this can make you uncomfortable if you’re trying to sleep, but they’re fine. What is a cat? called crepuscular, which means they are most active around dawn and dusk. “This is when they tend to increase not only their physical activity but also their vocal activity,” Hemington revealed.
It should be noted that too much noise at night There are both normal explanations and can also be a sign of a more serious health condition, so it may be worth talking to your vet if you are concerned about your cat’s health and well-being. , especially if you notice any sudden or significant changes in your cat’s behavior or appearance. “It’s always a good idea to have your vet check it out,” she adds.
How do I stop them from chirping so much?
If those noises become more and more excessive and start to disrupt your daily life, is there anything you can do?
Try changing your own behavior, Hemington recommends. “If every time [he meows] If you pet him, play with him, or give him food, you may be inadvertently rewarding the very behavior you want him not to do too much,” she explains.
Therefore, consider changing when you give your kitten treats. Hemington continued: “[By] Instead, reward him when he’s quiet, he should soon learn that his meow tactic doesn’t work but being calm and quiet is okay. “
It’s important to stay calm, Hall’s state, and understand when to hit. “If you know your cat is okay and only meows for attention, don’t give in while you’re sleeping!” she speaks. “If they get noticed, it won’t stop pestering you at 3 a.m.”
Finally, meowing — excessively or otherwise — can signal discomfort or stress in some cats. In these cases, anxiety support Reimer said, along with playing relaxing music.
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Cat meowing other cats?
As mentioned before, adult cats rarely meow to each other – and this form of meowing is something domesticated cats have developed and learned to communicate with humans.
That said, meow To be a noise they made earlier in life.
“Kittens meow to communicate with their mothers. They cry for her and tell her when they are hungry,” Reimer explained. “If the kitten is feral, once it is no longer breastfed by its mother, it will not need to meow and will lose that ability.”
However, she continued, “in our house, they pass that meow to us! We raise and care for them, so those cats turn to us to communicate.”
For cats venturing outdoors, meow and noise – especially at night – can be a way to assert their presence and warn other cats out of their territory.
Could that mean something is wrong?
Sadly, cats often hide when they’re sick or sick — and sometimes do so “almost until it’s too late,” says Hall. Why? “It is their nature. If they appear sickly, then they are a target for predators.”
Some cats are not so secretive, however, and an increase in meowing could indicate a problem. For example, this could be a sign of frustration or that something is going on — such as “he’s in pain or hurt,” explains Hemington.
Reimer notes that certain illnesses encourage more frequent meowing episodes — including “hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure, laryngeal problems (such as infections) or urinary obstruction, to name a few, to name a few. that number.”
If you have an older cat, an increased voice can also signal cognitive dysfunction in the cat, which is more than a third of a cat over 11 years old development. The condition “can manifest as general confusion, leading to meowing – which, in cats who are about to go deaf, can be deafening,” Hemington says.
Take it
Cats can make a variety of sounds, with meows being the most commonly heard. But keep in mind that cats also use other approaches to communicating with humans and other cats — such as wag their tailsfor gentle headbuttand join the playtime.
Remember: if you’re not sure if the meow you’re hearing is right, “we always recommend checking with the vet!” Hall said.
