Although they mostly use body language to communicate, there are many sounds that cats make and their possible meanings. And surely, meowing is the most well-known and heard expression in homes where these beautiful felines find the optimal environment to express themselves freely
Therefore, if you have the pleasure of sharing your daily life with a cat, you are likely to ask yourself questions such as: "Why does my cat meow when he sees me?", "Why does my cat meow a lot?", or "why does my cat meow weirdly?". As you can see, meows appear in different contexts and can have different meanings. It all depends on what your feline wants to "say" by emitting this characteristic sound, which reveals a lot about its state of mind and how it reacts to the stimuli it perceives in its environment.
In this article on our site we invite you to learn about the possible meanings of cats' meows in order to get to know your feline companion and know how to interpret what they want to communicate to you at all times. This will help you not only to understand why your cat meows when he sees you, but also to establish better communication and strengthen your bond with him.
Cat meows and their possible meanings
A cat's meows can have different meanings, depending on the context in which the animal is and what it wants to express to its guardian or to other individuals (human or feline). To interpret each meow, it is essential to know the body language of cats, since the vocalization will be accompanied by certain postures and facial expressions that will "reveal" what they feel in that moment. In addition, we must also be attentive to the tone, intensity and frequency. Generally speaking, the louder, more intense and more frequent the meow, the more urgent and important the message the feline wants to convey.
For example, an aggressive cat will emit loud, intense meows, possibly interspersed with snorts, and adopt a defensive posture that heralds a possible attack(such as the fluffy bristly tail, with bristling hairs, and backwards ears). On the other hand, a kitten that meows to announce that is hungry will maintain a prolonged meowing pattern, as well as locate near its feeder, chase its owner, or near where your guardian usually stores food.
During heat, unspayed or neutered female cats meow loudly, with a very high pitch and insistently. It is a sexual call that resembles an intense scream that can cause us some distress when we listen to it for many hours. Because heat in cats can occur at any time of the year, these meows are usually frequent in "whole" domestic cats or in stray females. The only reliable and safe way to control these meows is to sterilize the cat.
Why does your cat meow when it sees you? - 7 reasons
Usually, a cat meows to get her guardian's attention and communicatea message that seems important to her. However, this message can express different moods, desires or needs that your body experiences. To help you better understand the language and communication of cats, and interpret why your cat meows when it sees you, we summarize below the 7 most common meanings of this vocalization:
- Giving you a "welcome": Meowing is one of the ways felines greet their guardian. This vocalization has a cheerful tone and is accompanied by equally friendly postures, such as a raised tail, forward ears, and a calm facial expression. Therefore, if your cat meows when he sees you come home, we can say that he is giving you a “welcome.”
- Ask you for something he wants or needs: when the cat emits a request meow, it is communicating a need or desire to its guardian. For example, hunger, the desire to go outside, the desire to get a treat, etc. In these cases, the meows are loud and intense, and the cat emits them insistently, until it gets what it requires. If your cat meows when he sees you insistently and in a high pitch, you can be sure that he is asking you for something. Remember that cats are animals that cling to a routine to feel safe in their environment, so always respect their feeding schedules and their habits in home life.
- When they like or are surprised by something you do: Cats can also meow when they are surprised, interested or pleased by something. This vocalization is very short and resembles a short cry, like a positive exclamation. Your kitty may meow in this way when he perceives that you take his favorite treat, that you are about to serve him a tasty homemade meal that he likes or when you take his favorite toy to have some fun with him.
- When your cat wants to talk: each cat has a unique personality, which is not determined solely by the genetic inheritance of him (although it is a relevant factor). The environment, care and education provided by each guardian are also determining factors in the behavior of a cat and its way of expressing itself on a day-to-day basis. If your cat is sociable and communicative, and also finds optimal conditions in his home and has, above all, your affection, he can meow to interact with you. So, if your cat meows when he sees you and seems to invite you to talk, responding to your comments with constant and serene meows, take the opportunity to share this moment of friendship with your cat and strengthen your bond with him.
- Tell you he's too bored: If your cat is bored or wants a few pets, he may meow to get your attention and ask you to Spend some time on their needs and wants. Usually, these meows will be soft and calm, similar to those made by cats that have had puppies to get the attention of their little ones. However, if you notice that your cat is constantly showing symptoms of boredom, you should pay attention to its environment to verify that your feline finds ways to expend energy, entertain itself and exercise. Environmental enrichment is crucial to providing a positive environment that encourages your cat to play, engage in daily physical activity, and exercise their senses and intelligence. This will help manage a he althy weight and maintain a balanced behavior, preventing the symptoms of obesity in cats and behavioral problems that can be associated with a sedentary routine.
- Request your help: If your cat is in pain, sick or injured, he can use his meow to get your attention and ask for help. The tonality, frequency and intensity of these meows will vary depending on the urgency, the state of he alth and the degree of pain that the pussycat experiences. If your cat meows deeply and constantly, don't hesitate to take it to the veterinary clinic to check its he alth status. In addition, if you observe any negative change in their appearance or in their usual behavior, we also recommend that you consult your trusted veterinarian.
- Communicate your dissatisfaction: If you do something your cat doesn't like, like locking it up, for example, you may hear some meows from claim. This is a way that cats have of communicating their dissatisfaction with certain attitudes of yours or some abnormal events in their home routine. In addition, if your cat does not have an enriched environment to entertain himself while he is home alone, these meows can also appear when you have to go and leave him alone, and may be accompanied by frequent crying.
However, and despite advances in clinical ethology, there is no standard and rigorous manual that allows you to understand your cat's meows, since each feline is a unique being with a unique behavior. For this reason, it is essential that you spend time getting to know his personality, observing his behavior and learning little by little to interpret each sound and each posture of his. This is a beautiful and very entertaining exercise that will allow you to share good times with your feline and improve your daily relationship with him.
Does your cat meow a lot or rarely?
As cat meowing has several meanings, there are also many possible explanations for why a cat meows a lot. Your kitty may meow a lot because he is sick and in pain,so it is essential to be attentive to ensure his good he alth and offer adequate preventive medicine during all his life. Elderly cats may begin to meow more than usual, because aging causes a progressive deterioration of their senses and cognitive functions, making them feel more vulnerable or weak, and are hypersensitive and reactive to all kinds of stimuli.
If your cat spends a lot of time alone and doesn't have an enriched environment for entertainment and exercise, excessive meowing may appear as a symptom of stress, boredom or anxiety. On the other hand, if you come home and your cat meows a lot when she sees you, she may be asking for your attention and/or reminding you that she is hungry or wants to play with you.
On the other hand, if you notice that your cat meows strangely or has stopped meowing, you should know that aphonia may be a symptom cold in cats, as well as some conditions in the larynx or respiratory system. For this reason, we recommend you take your cat to the vet when you perceive any alteration in their vocalizations, postures or behaviors, such as hearing a "cut" meow, deep or weaker than it usually sounds.
Does your cat meow when he relieves himself?
On the other hand, if your cat meows when going to the litter box, you should be aware because this may be a sign of who feels pain and has difficulty urinating or having a bowel movement. Painful urination can be a symptom of some urinary tract diseases, such as urine infection in cats. But in turn, painful bowel movements or constipation can indicate digestive disorders or the excessive accumulation of hairballs in your gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, if you notice that your cat meows when he relieves himself, the ideal is to take him to the vet urgently and tell him about this behavior of your kitten.
But if your cat has a habit of "calling" you by meowingto see him relieve himself or to accompany him to eat, you may find yourself facing a habit inherited from your childhood. When adopting a puppy cat, many guardians make a habit of being present and accompanying them while they feed or relieve themselves.
This is not a bad thing, since it is really important to pay attention to your feline's nutrition and verify that his feces or urine do not show any abnormality, such as blood or the presence of parasites. However, your cat may associate thisbehavior as part of his routine, and will therefore carry it out as an adult, due to conditioning in his puppy stage.
In this case, you'll notice that his meow is different, since he doesn't express pain, but wants to capture your attention and ensure your presence. In addition, as it is a habit, these vocalizations will appear daily, unlike meows due to pain or difficulty "going to the bathroom", which will start suddenly when the pussycat's body is affected by some condition.
