Does your kitty talk a lot? Or is your furball mostly quiet? Fluffy’s adorable meows are one of her most charming traits! In this article from Fairfield Animal Hospital, your Cy-Fair, TX animal clinic, a local vet discusses kitty chatter.

The Basic Meow

Kitties meow for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, Fluffy just wants to say hello. She may meow at you to greet you when you come home. If you call your kitty by name, you may get a cute little meow in response. This loosely translates into ‘Yes?’ or ‘What?’ Our feline pals also meow when they want food or attention, or to let us know they are on the wrong side of the door again. Repeated meows may mean your pet is happy to see you. Or, she may be trying to tell you about the moth in the kitchen.

Kitty Angst

If your furball wants you to fill her bowl, she may get a bit theatrical, and give longer, more pleading cries. Growls and yowls may mean your kitty is sick or unhappy. Senior cats sometimes become very vocal as a response to cognitive decline. If your pet hasn’t been fixed yet, she may also meow to try and attract a mate. (Note: if you’ve actually heard cats do this, you may think that it would drive other felines away, but apparently they enjoy these kitty love songs.)

Clicking

You may notice Fluffy occasionally making odd little clicking sounds. Cats sometimes do this when they see birds or other animals they would consider prey in the wild. No one is entirely sure what this is all about, but it may be the most adorable predatory response ever.

Warning Signs

Changes in a kitty’s usual vocalization patterns can be a sign of trouble. For instance, if Fluffy is usually quiet, but then starts meowing incessantly, she could be sick. A usually talkative cat that suddenly becomes quiet or withdrawn may also be ill. Call your vet if you notice these red flags.

Meowpulation

Some of our feline pals can get, well, a bit pushy. Your furball may have you trained to feed her or pet her on demand. That’s just ‘purr’ for the course when it comes to having cats!

Please reach out to Fairfield Animal Hospital, your Cy-Fair, TX animal clinic, for all of your cat’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!