It is also spelt miaow and I have seen ‘mew’ for wild cats such as the leopard.

Meow – The most common cat sound which varies substantially between domestic cats is the meow.

Chatter – domestic cat sound when they see a bird at distance and can’t get at it.

Bark/hoot – made by Manul as a sexual call.

The domestic at makes it when in defensive mode.

Aohhuu – I have heard this sound from domestic cats in videos.

I list below the spelling of cat sounds both domestic and wild: Please use this search facility at the top of the page to find them. There are many pages on this site on cat sounds. If you have any questions about these sounds please ask me in a comment and I’ll respond within 24 hours usually. Although this list is long and comprehensive it might not be complete because the sounds made by wild cats are still being studied. If you have questions about your kitty’s chatter or if you have any health concerns, a visit to All About Cats Veterinary Hospital in Kirkland, WA, will help put your worries to rest.Even among domestic cats there are differences in the sounds made by individual cats. Whatever your cat is trying to say, the important thing is for you to listen.

Give your kitty a lot of attention and make sure to offer entertainment opportunities. Sometimes a cat will yowl out of sheer boredom. If your kitty has not been spayed or neutered, yowling may indicate the search for a mate. If your cat is continuously yowling, there may be a medical problem that warrants a visit to your vet. In some cases, a cat in pain may growl or snarl.Ī yowl is a long, drawn-out meow that indicates worry, discomfort, territorial concerns, or mating issues. It is a clear warning to stay back and can be directed at humans as well as other animals. A snarling or growling cat will usually display the classic defensive body posture. Growling or snarling are aggressive sounds, often accompanying hissing, and usually indicating fear, anger, or territorial threat. If, however, the hissing is unprovoked, it may be a sign that your pet is in pain with an undiagnosed condition. Along with the sound comes a defensive, aggressive posture, including an arched back, puffed up hair, twitchy tail, flattened ears, and an open mouth baring the teeth. Hissing usually indicates that your cat feels threatened, angry, or is in pain. Some cats exhibit a nervous purr when visiting their veterinarian. If your cat’s ears are back and the body seems tense, the purr may be a sign that your pet is unhappy or overwhelmed. However, on rare occasions, purring is due to agitation or worry. Gently petting your furry friend is one way to elicit pleasure and have your cat purr away in utter contentment. The most enjoyable cat sound pet parents look forward to is purring, a soft, deep, and throaty rumble, which indicates sheer delight. Low-pitched meows express unhappiness and are a way for your furry companion to let you know you’ve done something wrong. Repeated meows may indicate that your cat is excited, while high-pitched meows can mean that your kitty is startled or hurt. A long, drawn-out meow usually means that your furry friend wants something specific, like dinner. The mewl, a short high-pitched meow, usually means “hello,” and can be accompanied by rubbing against your legs. The standard meow is mid-length in duration and mid-pitched in tone and is the “asking for something” sound.

Kittens meow a whole lot to communicate with their moms, while adult cats will more often meow to talk to humans rather than each other. Here are 5 of the most common cat noises and what they mean:Įveryone is familiar with cat meows. By knowing what your cat chatter is trying to convey, you’ll better understand your feline friend’s mood and needs. Most sounds cats make can be interpreted in human language. While some cats are more talkative than others, cat noises usually communicate their feelings and desires.

Cat sounds