Felis Catus, the domestic house cat, has both delighted and puzzled humans since we began living together. The cat is a vocal creature, able to produce a complex and varied range of sounds that seem to have meaning. If you have ever been scolded by a cat, you will be nodding in agreement at that statement.
The anatomy of a cat’s vocal chords and throat do not allow for human speech. Some human words contain sounds that are similar to those made by a cat, accounting for the many cats who call their owner “Mama”.
Cats produce sounds around humans for a number of reasons. It is in their nature to vocalize. They have learned that certain sounds result in certain human behaviors. Who trained who remains in question but cats do interact with us with sound.
Purring is the first sound people think of when they think about cats. It is a complex sound and appears to use the entire respiratory system at times. Humans can imitate a purr with a vibration in the back of their throat but hold a purring cat and it becomes obvious that the cat is doing something different.
There are three types of purr. The first is a constant, low level vibration, that may not even be audible but only felt. A second type of purr is that same vibration only loud enough to hear. The loudest purr is one that clearly involves breathing, as it is loud and produced on exhalation “Purr! Purr! Purr!”
The primary vocalization of a cat is the “Meow”. As with humans, the pronunciation and tone will vary both in an individual cat and especially among breeds. A Siamese sounds very different than a tabby.
Cat breeds range from the very vocal Siamese to the very quiet American Curl.
Kittens learn some of their vocalizations from their mother. Kittens raised together without a mother or with various breeds of cats can adopt some of the vocalizations of the cats in their society though not all. Small differences in anatomy may account for the lack of adoption of every sound.
Some of the most dramatic vocalizations done by cats involve fighting or sex. Deep, fierce growling coupled with high-pitched screams signal readiness for a fight. Caterwauling, or “singing” is sexual in nature.
Chattering, chittering, and teeth gnashing, are sounds specific to some cats in certain situations. It is produced when a cat sees prey. An indoor cat in a window may chatter as it watches a bird on a branch just outside the window. Not all cats will do this and it appears to be a learned behavior.
Individual cats and the different breeds have a wide variety of personalities. As your cat becomes a part of the family, its vocalizations will change. One or both of you will have been trained and adapted.
There are cats who will announce their arrival with a sound. There are cats who will make a sound that seems to ask if your lap is available for occupancy. Cats will call for their friends when they are lonely or want to play. Cats will ask for something special, a treat, a toy, an interaction with you with a sound that the both of you will come to associate with that item or activity.
You can hold a conversation with a cat. Neither of you will be quite sure what the other is saying, but you can converse.
Singing, meowing, or purring, the cat has something to say. And in the end, the ultrasonic purr of a cat in your lap will make the two of you feel happier, healthier and less stressed.
