Why do cats meow?
Even a young child knows and mimics a cat noise. That
distinctive 'meow' is not a simple cat sound. It is actually a
surprisingly sophisticated method of communication, so why do
cats meow?
You can learn a lot about your cat by paying attention to
its meow.
A cat's voice is actually as individual as any human's. You
may own a cat that hardly ever makes a peep or you may have an
extremely talkative feline. Different breeds will have
different sounding meows as well. Siamese cats, for example are
famous for their particularly shrill wail.
Look at me!
The most common sort of meow is a cat's plaintive cry for
attention. Context can do a lot to help determine why your cat
is meowing. If she's walking back and forth in the kitchen she
probably wants food. If your cat is meowing when you've just
come home she is probably just glad to see you and wants to be
stroked or picked up.
The welcome meow, particularly when repeated consistently,
is also related to mating. A cat in heat will meow constantly
to advertise her availability to males. In some cats this can
develop into prolonged wailing at all hours, day and night.
Sometimes a cat will make strange chattering or even
bleating sounds when she sees prey she can't get at. No one is
entirely sure why cats do this. Some suggest that it is simply
a sound of feline anticipation or frustration, like someone
smacking their lips. Some people think it's a ploy on the cat's
part to lure its prey into investigating the strange noise.
Growling, spitting, hissing and shrieking are all aggressive
or defensive cries. Usually it's pretty clear if a cat is angry
or frightened. Similarly, purring needs little explanation.
Your cat is merely content.
It should be noted that if you have a quiet cat that
suddenly starts meowing, or a loud cat that suddenly stops, it
may indicate your cat is sick. You should pay particular
attention to cats that start meowing constantly while using the
litter tray, cleaning themselves, or eating. Any of these could
be signs that your cat is in some kind of distress.
Listen to and enjoy the chatter of your cat. She does want
to be understood.