What Do Different Cat Meows Mean? A Guide to Cat Vocal Sounds

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

Cats meow far more with people than with each other. Adult cats seem to have developed the meow as a tool for getting human attention, and each cat develops its own set of sounds. Learning your cat's vocabulary helps you respond to its needs.

The meow and its variations

• Short, bright meow: a greeting or a quick request.
• Multiple meows in a row: excitement, for example at the door when you return.
• Mid-pitch, drawn-out meow: a request, such as food.
• Low-pitched, drawn-out meow: complaint or displeasure.
• High-pitched meow: a kitten call, or an urgent need.
• Silent meow: the mouth moves with little sound, a soft bid for attention.

Chirps, trills and chatters

• Trill: a rolling, friendly sound, often a greeting or an invitation to follow. See why do cats chirp and trill.
• Chirp: a mix of meow and trill, used with excitement.
• Chatter or click: seen at windows when watching birds. See why do cats chatter at birds.

Purring

Purring is usually contentment, but cats also purr when stressed or hurt, as self-soothing. See why do cats purr.

Warning sounds

• Hiss: fear or a warning. See why do cats hiss.
• Growl: a stronger warning.
• Spit: a short burst of aggression.
• Shriek or scream: pain, or a fight.
• Yowl: a long, loud, low call, linked with mating, distress, confusion or pain.

When you hear these sounds, give the cat space. See aggression between cats.

Why cats meow at you

• Greeting. Many cats say hello.
• Food. Cats learn that meowing brings meals.
• Attention. Meowing works, so cats repeat it.
• Access. Wanting a door open.
• Boredom or loneliness.
• Stress or anxiety. See signs of stress in cats.
• Mating. Unneutered cats are vocal.
• Old age and confusion. See caring for a cat with dementia.
• Pain or illness. See signs of pain in cats.

Breeds and chatter

Some breeds are more vocal, such as Siamese, Oriental and Burmese cats. Others are quiet. See siamese cat breed profile and quietest cat breeds.

Night-time meowing

Night yowling often has a cause, such as hunger, boredom, age or illness. See why do cats meow at night and how to stop a cat waking you up early.

Responding

• Reward quiet, not constant meowing.
• Do not feed or play every time the cat calls.
• Provide routines and enrichment.
• Answer a greeting with a greeting.
• Check health if the sound is new.

Combining sound with body language

A sound alone can mislead. Read posture and tail. See cat body language guide and cat tail language.

Kittens

Kittens meow to call their mother. They often outgrow it. See kitten crying at night.

Learning your own cat's vocabulary

Every cat develops a personal repertoire. One cat's short, high meow may mean breakfast, while another's means hello. Over a few weeks, notice which sound occurs in which situation, and what the cat does next. Many owners find they can tell the difference between a food request, a request to open a door and a complaint. Recording a short video helps you compare sounds over time and helps your vet if you are worried about a change.

Age and sound

Kittens meow often to call their mother. As cats mature, they use meows less with other cats, and more with people. Older cats may vocalize more, because of hearing loss, confusion, pain or thyroid disease. A senior cat that yowls loudly at night, especially in a dark room, deserves a veterinary check. See senior cat care guide and hyperthyroidism in cats.

Hearing loss and loud voices

Deaf cats often meow loudly because they cannot hear themselves. That is normal for the condition, but a sudden change should be checked. See caring for a deaf cat.

Talking back

Cats respond to a calm, soft voice. Talking to your cat, using its name and rewarding quiet moments builds communication. Avoid shouting, which only adds stress.

Common mistakes owners make

The most frequent mistake is rewarding every meow with food or attention, which teaches the cat that nagging works. Another is assuming that a quiet cat is a content cat, when a normally chatty cat that goes silent may be unwell. A third is ignoring a hoarse or weak voice, which can point to throat or breathing problems. Pay attention to patterns rather than single events, and let your vet know when a pattern shifts.

When to see a vet

See a vet if vocalizing changes suddenly, or is paired with other signs. Use the US vet directory to find a clinic.