Understanding cat sounds: which show your feline is happy?

As a loving pet parent, it’s likely you’ve dreamt of tapping into your kitty’s brain - just what are those little (yet highly intelligent, of course) brain thinking? Well here we’re going to help you get an eye in (or ear, we should say), as we explore cat sounds and all their weird and wonderful meanings. 

Naturally, we’ll start with happy cat noises, then we’ll explore some of the slightly more unsettling sounds, so that you know when your feline might need some space, or a helping hand.

Happy cat sounds

• Meow
• Purr 
• Trill 
• Chattering 
• Caterwaul 

Meow

Of all the cat sounds, this will be the one you’re likely most familiar with - the meow. It comes in a few shapes and sizes, but it’s certainly the most recognizable when it comes to cat noises. 

The meow certainly isn’t an angry cat noise - but it’s not always filled with joy. Rather, the feline meow can be understood by the context that it’s vocalized in. For example, it could act as a happy greeting, to ask for dinner, or to express excitement that a new toy is in town.

Purring

Of all the cat sounds, purring sure is the happiest. If your feline starts purring while you’re having that all-important quality time, you know you’re doing something right. 

With that said though, cats can sometimes purr as a form of comfort, when they’re sick. So, always take your kitty’s purring in context, just in case a trip to the vet is needed.

Chirps and trills

This cat noise is somewhere between a purr and a meow - the tone ascends, lasting less than a second. The cat chirping noise (otherwise known as the cat trilling noise) is often one way that a mother cat encourages her kittens to follow her. 

If your feline trills (or chirps) at you, it’s likely they’re leading you somewhere - whether that’s their food bowl, or toy box!

Chattering

This happy cat noise has to be one of the most entertaining, and if your kitty doesn’t do it, you’re sure to have seen the videos online! Often occurring when they’re sat on a perch, getting hyped up over the birds in the garden, feline chattering sure is one funny cat noise.

Caterwaul

If you’re curious about cat heat noises, the caterwaul is one to get clued-up on. Otherwise known as the ‘hormone call’, this elongated moan from the female signals she’s ready to mate.

If you hear the caterwaul cat noise from a male cat, it’s their way of warning other males they’ve shown up.

Angry cat sounds

• Growling
• Spitting
• Hissing - cat hissing noise
• Howling
• Scream

Growling, spitting and hissing

Now onto the meaning of cat noises that are on the slightly less chirpy side - they’re well worth knowing about, so that you can keep your feline as happy as possible.

This noise sounds almost like a hissing whistle, and is likely to crop up when your feline is feeling frightened, annoyed, or is soon to get aggressive. While the general consensus is that you should leave a growling cat alone, noting when the cat hissing noise happens will help you to avoid the trigger in the future.

Howling

If you’re here to learn about angry cat noises, howling (or yowling) is a good place to start, but the yowl can also occur when your cat is in pain or stuck somewhere.

Howling can also be a sign of feline cognitive decline (such as dementia), as it can indicate they’re disoriented and in need of comfort.

And if you were wondering what the cat fight noises are, howling (or elongated, repeated meowing) can indicate things are about to get pretty heated.

Scream

If you’ve noticed your cat making weird noises recently, it could be this high-pitched, sudden loud sound that either signals the end of mating (just another weird cat behavior!), or that they’re in pain.

Cat sounds: a whistle-stop tour

How can I tell my cat is happy?

It’s only natural for pet parents to monitor their cat’s happiness, and by getting to know the signs they’re happy, agitated or excited is one way to do that. Explore our blog on the signs of a happy cat to get started.