Ginger cat on a wooden floor looking up and meowing

Have you ever wondered what your cat is trying to tell you? While some cat vocalisations may seem obvious, like a cat's purr surely means a cat is happy, there are often other possible messages that your cat is trying to communicate.

If you want to know how to speak 'cat', you'll need to become familiar with all their quirky sounds and learn how to decipher their multiple meanings. Don't worry, we're here to help...

How Do Cats Communicate?

Cats communicate through a wide range of sounds, from hisses, spits, growls and shrieks to loud meows and purring. These sounds are often combined with various body postures. But what does it all mean?

Chattering, Chittering and Twittering

If you hear these comical noises, you'll likely find your cat looking out of the window, watching birds. It's usually a sign of excitement mixed with frustration at not being able to access something they want.

They may also chatter to you when it's near mealtime and they're anticipating their food. When a cat chatters, their lower jaw vibrates, which creates these interesting noises.

Growling, Hissing and Spitting

These vocalisations often mean your cat feels threatened, annoyed, frightened or angry. They're a warning to leave them alone, and if ignored, it usually leads to the cat scratching or biting. If your cat is hissing or growling when you try to touch them, it could also be a sign of pain. So, get your cat checked by your vet if it continues to happen.

Meowing

Meowing is the most common sound we think of when we think of cat vocalisations, but what does it mean? A cat's meowing is multi-purpose, it could be used for an announcement, a command, a greeting, or an objection. If your cat's walking around the house meowing, it could mean they're hungry or bored. You'll need to pay attention to other signifiers, like their body posture, to fully understand what they're trying to say to you.

Purring

Most pet owners associate a cat's purr with happiness, and while it's usually a sign of contentment, they also purr to comfort themselves when they're sick or anxious.

So, if your cat is purring but they don't seem their usual self, and their body language suggests something is wrong, it's best to get them checked by a vet in case there's an underlying health problem.

Screaming

Cats scream or shriek at another cat when they're starting a fight. It's used as a warning to the other cat to walk away now or they'll attack. You'll most likely hear it at night when your the neighbourhood cats are all outside and territories are being crossed.

Yowling or Howling

Cat yowls and howls are mostly a sign of distress, either from being in pain or being stuck somewhere. Senior cats can howl when they're disorientated. This is common in cats suffering from a cognitive disorder, like dementia.

A specific type of cat yowl known as 'caterwauls' can be heard from unneutered cats displaying mating behaviour. You'll know your female cat is in heat when she makes these noises, so it's best to keep her inside to avoid an unwanted litter.

What is My Cat's Body Language Telling Me?

As most vocalisations have dual meanings, it's important to pay attention to a cat's body language too. By doing this, you'll get a more complete understanding of how they're feeling and what they're trying to tell you.

Look to your cat's ears, eyes, tail, mouth and posture for signals.

  • Ears: forward-facing ears express interest, whereas backwards-facing ears are a sign of fear or a threat. Lots of ear movements show arousal or distress.
  • Eyes: look at their eyelids and pupils to understand how your cat is feeling. If their pupils are dilated, it could mean fear or interest. Narrowing eyes means fear or aggression, whereas wide-eyed means trust. Slow blinking is a sign of affection and is referred to as a "kitty kiss", and no blinking is an act of dominance or aggression. Try slowly blinking at your cat and see if you get a kiss back.
  • Tail: when a cat's tail is tucked between their legs, it's a sign of fear. The tail held high and bristled will be displayed when a cat is ready to fight. A swishing tail or tail flick can be a sign of play or frustration. A flailing or thumping tail is a warning to keep your distance. If it's held up high, this means they're open to interaction.
  • Body posture: an arched back with raised fur usually means they're frightened or angry, whereas an arched back with flat fur means they're welcoming you to touch them. Lying on their back can be a sign your cat is relaxed or ready to strike, so listen for purring or growling to help you decipher their message.

How Else Do Cats Communicate?

Aside from vocalisation and body language, cats also use tactile communication such as allorubbing, allogrooming and sleeping/resting with physical contact.

Allorubbing is when your cat rubs its face, tail or body against another cat or person. They may also touch noses with the other cat.

Allogrooming is grooming another cat or person. Both of these actions involve communication using scents and pheromones, which are exchanged in the process.

Sleeping or resting with contact shows how your cat feels about that person or animal, as a cat will only do this with someone they have formed a strong bond with.

Why is My Cat Being So Vocal?

When a cat's behaviour changes and they become unusually vocal, you should get them checked over by your vet. There are many diseases that can cause excessive vocalisations due to pain and discomfort.

Your vet will perform a physical examination and may want to run some tests. If your cat is healthy, the cause will be treated as a behavioural problem. Your cat may have learned that meowing gets them what they want, like food, so if they meow and you don't respond, they'll meow louder and for longer.

If your cat is always noisy and seems happy and healthy, it's likely you've just got yourself a naturally chatty cat breed.

What Are The Noisiest Cat Breeds?

Certain breeds are known for being particularly vocal. These chatty cat breeds include:

They're generally very friendly and affectionate breeds that seek out more attention than others. They're best suited to owners who can spend lots of quality time with them. They also have lots of energy, so they need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. If they don't get enough, they may become even more vocal than usual!

Cat talk involves such a wide range of vocalisations with lots of meanings that it can be difficult to understand what they all mean. By working out your cat's different sounds and paying attention to their body language, you'll soon be able to work out your kitty's messages. It may seem confusing at first, but you'll soon get attuned to your furry companion's way of communicating.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis - www.vetlexicon.com/felis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

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