Chatty Cats 101: How to Be a Chatty Cat Whisperer

What Chatty Cats Are Actually Trying to Tell Us

When a dog barks, it’s usually easy to tell why. Whether it’s the sight of the mailman or a loud sound in the middle of the night, it’s typically simple for dog owners to understand why their fur friends are making a ruckus. However, when it comes to chatty cats, it can be much harder to figure out what your cat needs and why they are making noise.Any cat owner knows that a mailman is probably not the culprit behind a cat’s chatty behavior, but what is? If you’ve ever wanted to be an expert cat whisperer, we’ve got the guide you need to figure out whatyour chatty catis trying to tell you and how you should respond.

Types of Cat Noises

One of the clues to what your chatty cat is trying to tell you could be the type of noise they are making. After all, there’s more to cats than just meows. Before we get to some specific reasons cats make noises, here are a few types offeline soundsto be aware of:

• Meow
• Purr
• Hiss
• Chatter
• Howl

Meow

The meow is probably the first noise that comes to mind when thinking aboutcats. Cats typically use meows to communicate with their owners, whether they greet you when you get home from work, ask for you to fill their food bowl, or invite you to play with them.

Purr

Purring usually means that your cat is happy. If your fur friend is curled up on your lap and enjoying your company, purring is a sign that they are content. Cats can also purr to soothe themselves when they are upset or worried. Take note of what is going on around your cat when you hear them purr to figure out if it is a sign that they are pleased or need comfort.

Hiss

A hiss is an obvious sign that a cat is not pleased. The source of this displeasure could be fear, anger or pain. Your cat might be scared of a potential threat or upset that another animal is present in their space. If there is no visible threat, consider takingyour catto the vet to check for any potential medical problem or source of pain-causing the hissing.

Chatter

Chatter is the sound of your cat’s teeth clicking together. This is usually due to the sight of prey. If you hear an odd noise and notice your cat staring out the window at a bird, you’re probably hearing the sound of chattering. Once the bird flies away, the chattering should stop.

Howl

Howling is not just for dogs. If you hear a long howling noise but can’t seem to find your cat, make sure they’re not stuck on a perch or in a room behind a closed door. Cats who feel they’re in danger will often howl to attract attention and help.

Is Your Fur Baby from a Chatty Breed?

While all cats occasionally make noises, somefurry friendsare simply more vocal than others. Certain cat breeds are considered chatty breeds because they tend to make a lot of noise. Here are a few of the most notoriouschatty catsout there:

• Siamese
• Bengal
• Maine Coon
• Turkish Angora
• American Bobtail
• Burmese
• Original Shorthair

Ifyour catbelongs to one of these breeds, it won’t come as a surprise if they like to make a lot of noise. Many chatty cat breeds enjoy when their ownerscommunicateback and forth with them. If you have a chatty feline living in your home, consider joining in on the conversation to help your cat feel heard!

Does Your Cat Need Attention?

If yourfurry palis not a member of a typically chatty breed, there might be a specific reason behind the noises they are making. Often, a cat is trying to get your attention to let you know something specific. Here are a fewexamplesof what they might be trying to tell you:

• Seeking Attention— A cat might meow when they want to get your attention, whether it’s because they want something in particular from you or merely want to say hello. Letting your cat know you care by offering a quick pet or saying hello back to them is a good way to respond in this situation.
• Loneliness— Your furry friend might make noise when they feel lonely, such as if you’ve just gotten home from a long day at work. A cat who wants to play or just spend some time with you curled up on the couch might meow to let you know how they feel. Spending some quality time together should cure this chattycat behavior.
• Hunger— Some cats learn that if they make sounds around their feeding time (or just because they want an extra snack), their bowl will be filled to stop the noise. This can turn into a problem if it happens all the time, so try not to feed them before the designated meal time (no matter how much they might beg).
• Stress— Changes in a cat’s environment, such as moving into a different apartment or getting used to the presence of a new family member, can be sources of stress. In this case, whatyour chatty catis trying to tell you might just be that they need some comfort to help deal with the adjustment. Offering some support can help them cope in the meantime.

Does Your Cat Need to Go to the Vet?

If there is no apparent cause for your cat’s chatty behavior or if they become very vocal all of a sudden, it could be a sign that a trip to the vet is in order. Somehealth conditionsthat can cause excessive meowing include high blood pressure, kidney disease, thyroid disease or issues with urination. What your cat is trying to tell you might be that they have a health problem that you can’t see. A vet can help rule out potential medical reasons for whyyour catis making a lot of noise.Changes in how chatty your cat is can also occur with age. For example, a cat might be a quiet kitten and young adult but become increasingly vocal as an older cat. Older felines can become disoriented or confused and develop dementia just like humans. This can lead to excessive meowing and other vocalizations. If your cat is having trouble navigating the houseat night, consider leaving the light on in one specific room for them, so they don’t get turned around in the dark. A vet can also help you figure out how to best support your older cat.

Does Your Furry Friend Want Skoon Cat Litter?

Cats know how to make themselves heard, whether it’s with meows or yowls. Some cats will even meow after using thelitter boxto let you know it needs to be cleaned or make noise near the litter box to let you know they do not approve of how it smells. If you’ve considered all of the other options described above and you’re still not sure what your chatty cat is trying to tell you, your feline friend might be telling you they want you to trySkoon cat litter.Skoon cat litteris a kitty clean-up solution that’s sure to please your cat, so you won’t have to hear any unhappy noises around the litter box or anywhere else. Thediatom pebblesthat make up Skoon cat litter are experts at trapping odors and come in bothOriginalandFine Grainformulations, so your furry friend won’t have anything to complain about. With Skoon’s convenientsubscription service, you’ll never run out of kitty litter to keep the litter box clean and refreshed.Listen to your chatty cat andtry Skoon cat litter today!