Did you know that domesticated house cats taught themselves to meow so they could better communicate with humans? In fact, completely wild cats are almost entirely silent, and communicate with each other through their body language.
Feral cats living closer to humans will sometimes meow, but tend not to be nearly as vocal as their indoor counterparts – except when they’re in heat or feel threatened.
So what does it mean when our domesticated house cats meow at us?
To get attention from their mothers, all kittens make tiny meow sounds. However, once they grow up, the meowing generally stops if there is little human contact. For cats living with humans, they will continue using their voice because it is the most effective way to communicate with their owners.
Domesticated housecoats develop a unique series of meows, all with different meanings. They can be very simple, or can have a more intricate, emotional meaning behind them. Your cat’s meow may be saying more than you might think! To better understand what your kitty is trying to say, pay close attention to when they meow, and observe their actions.
Short, Cheerful Meows: These usually signify a happy emotion, such as ‘welcome home’, or ‘keep petting me’. It may even mean “Yay, it’s food time!”, or “I love this catnip!”. Short, cheerful sounds are the most common types of vocalization for the average house cat.
A Shorter ‘Mew’ Sound: This is an inquisitive meow. It often indicates your cat wants something – food or water, a clean litter box, or even some snuggles!
A Longer, Drawn Out Meow: This often indicates that your cat is anxious, worried, annoyed, or objecting to something. Perhaps kitty doesn’t like her food, or maybe she isn’t happy with the new puppy you’ve brought home! These expressions will generally be a throatier meow, too. This meow can also be common with cats who suffer from separation anxiety, or any other kind of worry-related disorder. Many cat owners have success with calming aids to help reduce stress.
Consistent, Off-Pitch Meows: Sometimes, cats develop a chronic meow that indicates either loneliness, illness, or loss of their senses. This is more typical in older cats who have lost their agility, or have failing sense of smell, hearing, or eyesight. If you suspect this may be the case, have your pet checked out by a veterinarian.
Aside from typical meows, there are a series of other sounds your cat may make. Most recognizable is the purr – a throaty, rumbly sound that indicates happiness. It can, in rare cases, indicate that a cat is agitated or nervous. If they seem tense, with their ears pinned back, then this may be the case.
Other sounds include the yowl (a long drawn-out moan) that cats use to indicate something of importance to other cats within earshot. This could include “stay away from my territory”, or “I want to mate”, for example. The caterwaul is a similar sound, made by unspayed females in heat, who are looking for mates. Snarls, growls, hissing, and screaming are also common cat sounds, and we all know what those mean!
The speed and consistency of a cat’s meows tells you a lot. Faster, more frequent meows indicate urgency. For example, your cat could be trying to tell you they want their food NOW! Whereas single meows mean your cat doesn’t want anything urgently. Short-haired cats also tend to be quite a bit more talkative than longer haired breeds. Take time to listen to your cat’s meow, and try meowing back to see how she reacts. Better communication, and a deeper understanding of cat-speak can strengthen the feline/human bond.
Brandon Forder – also known as The Pet Expert – is vice-president of Canadian Pet Connection, a family-owned and -operated business located in Meaford. He has over twenty years’ experience specializing in pet nutrition, behaviour and lifestyle. Canadian Pet Connection is an industry leader committed to providing their clients with the highest levels of personal, attentive service. Learn more at www.CanadianPetConnection.ca/cat-products/
