The cat's meow is one of its most characteristic features. The fact that cats rarely communicate with each other by making a sound will not have gone unnoticed by an attentive observer, which is why there are studies that assure that they have perfected their vocal skills to make themselves understood among the humans who have domesticated them.
When it comes to feline personalities there is nothing definitive, so some are more “talkative” (meowing) than others, but in general they all try to tell you what they want through the sounds they make. emit. That is why if you suddenly notice that your cat has stopped meowing, something is probably going on. Keep reading this article on our site and find out why your cat doesn't meow well
Characteristics of the cat's meow
You may not know it, but sound plays a huge role in your relationship with your cat. Hearing the timbre of your voice, the cat not only recognizes you, but is also able to determine your mood. Similarly, when he wants to talk to you he does so by emitting different types of meows, depending on the need that needs to be satisfied. For more information, don't miss the article in which we explain why a cat meows a lot.
Cats emit sounds that range from purring, which they make with their mouths closed, to short meows or even long vocalizations that to the human ear are similar to wails. To make all these sounds, the cat uses the muscles found in its larynx and pharynx, as well as the air that circulates around it.
Sometimes your cat's meow may sound choppy or even not be heard no matter how much the feline articulates. The reasons that explain why the cat is hoarse are varied, although most of the time this hoarseness disappears in a few days. Otherwise, you should go to the vet as soon as possible.
Hoarse cat due to laryngeal problems
Just like in humans, cats sometimes suffer from inflammation of the larynx, which is called laryngitis. Laryngitis is caused by different factors, such as eating water or food that is too cold, or a session of powerful meowing that is too long due to heat or a fight with other cats, for example.
Regardless of the reason, the voice box is swollen, resulting in a hoarseness that sometimes results in a hoarse catHowever, it should disappear in a maximum of 5 days. If not, you have to rule out the other options that explain why your cat doesn't meow well.
He doesn't meow well because he has a cold
A cold strikes anyone, even your cat. Although felines do not catch colds frequently, this can happen if they are exposed to the cold for longer than they should, especially if it is winter or there are strong drafts in the house. For this reason, you must ensure that his fur is always dry if, for example, he returns home from one of his cat explorations and has gotten wet in the rain, or dry him very well if you have to bathe him. Otherwise, a cold will not only lower your spirits, but also your throat, causing the cat to meow poorly or even become hoarse
If you suspect that this is the cause that explains why your cat is hoarse, consult our article on home remedies for colds in cats.
The cat has stopped meowing due to a respiratory infection
A cold that is not treated in time can worsen and become a respiratory infection, such as pneumonia or pneumonia Likewise, the Exposure to pathogens in the form of bacteria that the cat may come into contact with outside, for example, may lead to disease. In addition, the presence of toxic substances in the environment also affects your cat's respiratory system, and can even cause fatal poisoning.
In the latter case, the cat will show other symptoms in addition to hoarseness or aphonia, such as general weakness and lack of appetite. When this is the case, it is best to go to a veterinarian who will indicate the necessary treatment. Remember to never self-medicate your cat, much less with drugs recommended for humans.
See the following article to learn what to do if your cat has pneumonia while you're on your way to the vet clinic.
Doesn't meow well due to stress
As you probably already know, stress wreaks havoc on your cat's he alth. Situations that seem common or everyday to you, such as bringing a new member to the family, a move or even changing the arrangement of furniture, are capable of generating high levels of anxiety and concern, which will be evidenced in different ways.
One of these ways is through the inability to meow as he used to, becoming hoarse, emitting a breathy meow or even to become hoarse. If the difficulty in meowing is not accompanied by other symptoms, it is probably due to stress, so analyze what is causing this problem so that you know how to deal with it.
If you think this could be the reason why your cat does not meow well, is hoarse or has stopped meowing, consult the article in which we indicate the 5 symptoms of stress in cats most common and confirm your suspicions.