Cat sounds

A cat often shows how they feel through their body language. But sometimes they can also use different vocalisations to explain how they're feeling. Learn more about some common cat sounds here!

Meowing
When a cat meows, it's signalling that it wants something from you. It could be that the cat wants food, attention, to play or maybe it wants you to open a door for it. Once you get to know your cat, you will probably understand very quickly what your cat wants when it meows at different times and in different places in your home.

Purring
A purring cat feels good. There are many different things that can trigger your cat's purring, such as resting next to you on the sofa, finding a fun toy or eating some extra tasty food. A cat may also sometimes purr to calm itself down.

Chirping
When a cat greets people, other cats or animals, it is common for it to chirp. It may also chirp when it sees something funny that makes it happy. Chirping is a way for the cat to show that it is well. Mother cats sometimes also use chirping to communicate with their kittens, when she chirps she wants them to follow her.

Hissing or growling
A cat that hisses or growls often does so to show its displeasure or anger. Both growling and hissing are warnings; when the cat growls or hisses it wants you or its enemy to move away or leave it alone. If the growling or hissing does not produce the desired result, the cat will probably feel the need to defend itself by attacking.