If we live with cats we will soon get used to their characteristic meow and realize that they emit very different sounds depending on what they are trying to achieve. It is important to learn to recognize and interpret them, both for good communication between guardian and feline and to notice any problem or need promptly.
In this article on our site we are going to explain why cats meow, so that we can improve our understanding and communication with them. We will review the types of meows that we can hear and their meanings and in which cases the sound is indicating that a visit to the veterinarian is necessary.
When do cats start meowing?
Cat meows are part of their communication system, so the communicative intention explains why cats meow and justifies them starting to do so when they are very young. At what age do cats start to meow is already in the first weeks of life, before 3-4 The little ones meow when they see themselves alone or feel cold or hunger. The meows, in this case, are very sharp and short. As they grow, we will notice that they are modified until they resemble a sound more similar to that of adult cats.
Why do cats meow?
The reason why cats meow lies in the cat communication Thus, the meows are combined with other sounds, such assnorts, growls or cries , and body movements that complete the cat's communication and allow it to interact with its peers, other animals and humans. In addition, although it is imperceptible to us, cats display communication through smell and the emission of pheromones.
Like any other language, the meows can be of very different types, depending on what the cat wants to tell us. Of course, we can find very talkative cats, while we will rarely hear a meow from others. In the latter case, we will have to pay attention to other forms of communication to be able to understand each other, for example in the body language of the cats
Never ignore a meow or scold a cat that meows, since all it is trying to do is talk to us. A good part of the current characteristics of the cat meow have developed thanks to the relationship between cats and humans established by domestication, since it is more infrequent for cats to communicate with each other by meowing. Why cats meow like babies, with high-pitched sounds, may be related to the impact of the baby's voice on people programmed to care for them. Meowing makes us receptive to quickly attend to the cat's needs, just as if it were a crying human baby.
Types of cat meows
Depending on the need at that moment, this will be the meaning of cat meows, which is what justifies why the cat meows in a specific way. The most common cat sounds are:
- Call: a clear and loud meow, addressing us if they can see us, we could say it's a generic call. The cat wants something and demands our attention so that, as soon as it has it, it can give us more information about what it needs. This type of meow is also emitted when the cat does not see us and calls us, just as kittens do when they lose sight of their mother.
- Heat: a cat in heat will meow persistently, in a high pitched pitch. Why female cats meow when they are in heat is explained as a call to all the male cats in the vicinity. This fertile period is accompanied by rubbing, pelvic elevation, increased urine output, etc.
- Hunger: We usually feed cats ad libitum, so they shouldn't go hungry, but if we forget to refill the feeder or wants a specific food, like a can or some food that we are eating, it is not uncommon for it to come meowing loudly while staring at us. This can be done next to his feeder, where he eats, or next to the food he's interested in.
- Stress: Cats are very sensitive to changes in their environment and one way to show this is by meowing. If our cat suddenly begins to meow more than normal, it may be due to the presentation of some change that has altered its routine. It is usually a low, loud meow. Boredom and loneliness can also be a cause of stress. To avoid stressing the cat we must introduce any change gradually and keep it in an enriched environment where it can fully develop.
- Honey: a harmonious meow, usually accompanied by rubbing the sides of the face against our body and purring, beeping and even kneading With its paws, licks or small bites, it is part of the affectionate greeting that our cat can dedicate to us, happy to meet us.
- Discomfort: Some cats may meow when they feel pain or discomfort. If we suspect that this is the case with ours, it is a good idea to review it and explore its environment to detect any problems. Keep in mind that many sick cats do not meow to warn, but hide, remain apathetic or stop eating. In other words, we shouldn't wait for him to meow to take him to the vet.
- Fight: Finally, the cat can meow almost screaming if it is defensive and close to attacking another cat or animal. In those cases, it will be accompanied by bristling hair, folded ears, open mouth, raised tail, as well as snorts. We must remove him from that situation calmly to avoid damage.
Why does my cat meow weird?
Now, seeing why our cat meows, Why doesn't a cat meow well? If we can't figure out what is what happens to him or we notice changes in the usual meows that he emitted until then, we should go to the vet. If we notice that the cat meows hoarsely, it may be suffering from a respiratory disease, such as rhinotracheitis, which will cause inflammation of the respiratory tract, nasal and ocular discharge, loss of appetite, etc.
It is also possible for the cat to stop meowing completely due to physical causes as well as stress-related issues. The vet must first rule out a disease. If it is a behavioral disorder, we will have to contact a ethologist or feline behavior specialist.
How to stop my cat from meowing at night?
As a form of communication, the only solution for the meowing to stop is by attending to the request they collect, that is, you have to find out why the cat is meowingWhen the meows intensify during the night, they may be indicating that they are going through the heat period. The solution in this case would be to inhibit it and the currently recommended way of doing it is sterilization or castration , which consists of removing the uterus and the ovaries in females and the testicles in males.
Before going to bed we have to make sure that the litter box is clean, there is water and food, the cat has not been locked up anywhere and, in short, it has all its comforts to that you do not have to ask us during the night. Otherwise, it is very likely that the cat will wake us up at dawn Keeping him entertained during the day and offering him an enriched environment in which he can discharge his energy are options to take into account to avoid excessive nocturnal activity.
