From purrs to chirps, this is what your cat is trying to tell you with different sounds

If you have a cat, you’ll know how noisy they can be.

And, as an owner, you’ve probably learned to differentiate between the friendly chirrups they greet you with and the firm meows they use when demanding to be fed.

Yet Google searches show that we aren’t all fluent in cat language. Over the last year, 90,500 people asked ‘why do cats purr’, while queries for ‘how do cats express happiness’ increased by 200% and ‘cat hissing for no reason’ by 80%.

There are a range of ways cats communicate, from swishing their tails to moving their ears, with the sounds they make being one of the most obvious ways they tell us what’s going on.

Some felines are more vocal than others, but certain sounds tend to signal specific emotions.

So to help you decode your kitty’s feelings, Kitty Bingo asked Tommy Wylde, animal expert and Editor of floofmania.com, to delve into the meanings behind their most common noises.

Purring

According to Tommy, A happy cat ‘often exhibits relaxed body language, purring, kneading, and slow blinking’.

They tend to purr when they’re being petted or feel comfortable and secure, with this sound and kneading (also known as ‘making biscuits’) stemming from their relationship with their mum.

‘The mother purrs to soothe the kitten and the kitten purrs back to signal that all is well,’ says Tommy.

‘In adult cats, purring is used to communicate with its human in the same way it would purr to its mother as a kitten. In addition, purring also helps cats reduce stress and even relieve pain to a certain extent.’

Snoring

Sometimes you might notice your pet making similar noises while they’re sleeping. If so, they may just be having a great dream, although in some cases it could signal a health issue.

Tommy explains: ‘Snoring-like sounds (or purring) can be due to relaxed throat muscles during sleep. If it’s excessive or accompanied by other symptoms, consult a vet.

‘I once had a cat who purred very loudly in his sleep when he was happy. He even drooled while doing so!’

Loud meows

‘Excessive meowing can result from various reasons, including hunger, attention-seeking, or illness,’ says Tommy.

‘Identifying the cause isn’t always evident, but often cats are just drama queens.’

A process of elimination is the best way to find out what your cat is trying to tell you. If it’s around mealtimes, you’re eating something, or your pet is a bit of a greedy guts, they’re probably asking for food. If they’re exhibiting other symptoms like limping, a change in toilet habits, refusing food or water, or a change in overall behaviour, you should seek veterinary advice.

If neither of these seems to be the case, you’ve probably just got a diva on your hands; give them a cuddle or play with them and they’ll soon quieten down.

Silent meows

Interestingly, not all cats make sounds when meowing, so some cats can look like they’re saying something but no noise is coming out.

‘A silent meow might be due to vocal cord issues or when your cat wants to communicate without making noise,’ says Tommy. ‘This is very common and not a cause for concern!’

Vocalisations

Alongside meowing, there are a number of other noises a cat makes which sound like chirps or chattering.

Tommy says: ‘Random squarks (vocalisations) can be expressions of excitement, playfulness, or a way to get attention, while cats may display separation anxiety through excessive vocalisation.’

It’s believed some cats vocalise to mimic birds, so you may see your pet make this sound when stalking or watching prey. As well as potentially trying to lure birds by copying them, they chirp to display excitement in anticipation of a ‘hunt’.

‘Both house cats and outside cats can make similar sounds,’ adds Tommy. ‘However, outdoor cats may use vocalisations to communicate with other cats more frequently.’

Grumbling

Each cat has its own vocabulary and set of habits, but some owners find that their pet sounds somewhat miffed at times – most notably when they’ve been woken up from a nap.

Tommy says: ‘Some cats may make grumbling or irritated noises when awakened abruptly, but it varies from cat to cat. I’ve had cats that sort of sighed when awakened.’

Hissing

When you hear a hiss, you know your cat is angry.

‘Hissing is always a defensive action,’ says Tommy. ‘It indicates fear, discomfort, or a desire to establish boundaries.’

The animal expert advises not approaching a hissing cat, as they’re likely to bite or scratch you if you come close.

He adds: ‘When a cat hisses, try to give it some space, an easy way to escape, and show the cat that you’re not trying to challenge or provoke them in any way!’

Sometimes (like when you need to give them medicine) that’s not always an option, but they will eventually calm down.

If your cat is hissing unprovoked, though, it’s worth a trip to the vets to see if there’s an underlying condition to blame.

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