12 Cat Sounds and What They Mean

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.

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.

Cats make this sweet sound as a greeting to other cats or to people. It can also be used as a thank you if their human has given them a treat or a head scratch. One of the most amicable cat vocalizations, the trill gives off positive vibes.

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.

Hissing can seem aggressive, but Dr. Pike says it’s actually a fear-based response. This sometimes involuntary reaction is used when a cat is surprised by a perceived threat or enemy—whether it’s the neighborhood stray cat or the veterinarian. A hissing cat is feeling vulnerable, insecure or threatened.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.