12 Cat Sounds and What They Mean

One of the most well-known and common of cat sounds, the meow sounds a lot like the name (who doesn’t love an onomatopoeia?). The type of meow can vary—a high-pitched meow, a short and sweet mew, several meows in a row or long and demanding. It really depends on the cat—and what they want from you.

Consider the meow an all-purpose cat sound. Cats meow:

• As a greeting (“Hi, Human!)
• To ask for something (“Where’s dinner?” or “Play with me!”)
• To express excitement or frustration (“I love my new toy!” or “Why aren’t you paying attention to me?!”)

And here’s a fun fact: “Meows are rarely used between cats,” says veterinary behaviorist Dr. Amy L. Pike, DACVB, IAABC-CDBC, owner of Animal Behavior Wellness Center, with locations in Fairfax and Richmond, Virginia. Adult cats save this sound for communicating with their people. Some cat breeds (like the Siamese) are known for being extra chatty.

Read more about why cats meow.

Quite possibly one of the most relaxing sounds ever, the purr is a low, continuous, rhythmic sound that slightly resembles a rumble. Some purrs can be barely perceptible, and some you can practically hear from a mile away.

Another common cat sound, the purr usually occurs when cats are happy and relaxed and can be a sign of contentment. Purrs are a positive response to being petted or groomed, or just curled up in your lap. But purrs don’t always communicate contentment. Dr. Pike confirms that cats also use purring as a self-soothing method if they’re experiencing pain, illness, anxiety or fear. That being said, the purr is one of the most mysterious of cat sounds.

Read more about why cats purr.

A mix between a meow and purr, the trill is often described as a friendly “mrrp” or “cat activation” sound. High-pitched and repetitive, it comes out in short bursts.

This sequence of short, high-pitched calls is similar to that of a bird. Cat chirrups (also known as cat chirps) are relatively quiet even if the cat feels excited.

Adult cats chirrup to get attention and to let other cats or people know their location—sort of like saying, “Hey! I’m over here!” Excitement and prey drive also play into this common cat sound. Your cat might let out a chirp when they see potential prey they can’t get to (like a squirrel outside the window), Dr. Pike says. Mother cats often chirrup to call their kittens to them.

A chattering cat is in hunting mode—whether they can get to their prey or not. If you’ve ever seen your cat doing this, chances are they spotted potential prey, and their hunting instincts have kicked in. It’s also thought that cats are mimicking prey (like birds) to attract the prey to them, Dr. Pike says.

Learn more about cat chattering and chirping.

This low, drawn-out sound resembles the hiss of a snake. It can be loud or soft, depending on the cat and the situation.

This sudden, short explosive burst of noise sounds like a more intense variation of a hiss.

Another sound that resembles a growl (as well as a hiss), a snarl is louder and higher-pitched.

Like the hiss, the snarl is used when responding to a perceived threat. Dr. Pike says it’s common to hear this noise when two male cats are fighting. It can also be a sound of annoyance—if you’re touching an “off-limits” spot on the cat’s body, for example.

Learn how to pet a cat the right way.

Deep and almost rumbling, the growl is harsh and guttural. It can be long and drawn out and can also grow in intensity from start to finish.

Growling is a warning noise that can be directed toward other cats and animals, as well as humans. A growling cat is annoyed, frightened or angry. Some cats use growling to show possession of a favored item—like a food bowl—if another cat dares to come near it.

The growl is a clear sign that the cat wants whoever is triggering them to back off.

This disconcerting sound is like a growl but much more intense. It’s like a long, violent meow that is loud and high-pitched.

A yowl is like an intensified growl, signaling that the cat is getting more and more upset. Growls often turn into yowls if the situation intensifies.

Dr. Pike says that yowling can also be a sign of pain or illness. Cats are usually excellent at hiding their pain, so take that yowling seriously and get them to the veterinarian to check for any injuries or illness.

If you’ve ever dealt with stray, unspayed female cats in your neighborhood, you’ll recognize this long, loud whine that can eventually sound like a scream. It’s all part of mating behavior.

Female cats in heat can display a variety of behavioral changes—including becoming extremely vocal. The melodramatic caterwaul is her way of making sure the local tomcats know she’s ready to mate.

Also called mewling, this sound is usually made by kittens under 1 month of age and resembles a high-pitched, screeching meow.

This sound is usually made by kittens under 1 month of age to get the mother cat’s attention. Kittens might make this distress call if they’re hungry or have strayed away from their mother and the rest of the litter.

Take a screenshot of this chart for easy access the next time your cat starts vocalizing.

The bottom line is that the different sounds your cat makes—cute, silly or scary—are all a part of cat language. But when you know what those sounds mean, they make perfect sense and can help you communicate with your cat. Want to pounce on more cat behavior tips? Find out why cats knead.

Expert input provided by Amy Pike, DVM, DACVB, veterinary behaviorist and owner of Animal Behavior Wellness Center in Virginia.