Revealed: Meowing could be a sign that your cat is a drama queen

• Kitty Bingo has uncovered the most asked cat sounds-related questions, and with the help of Tommy Wylde, animal enthusiast and Editor of floofmania.com, has provided answers and insights
• Search volume for ‘Cat Sounds’ has seen a +29% increase in in the past 12 months ^[1] and #catsounds on TikTok has a total of 315.1m views, showing people want to find out more about the meanings behind different cat sounds
• Tommy described cats as ‘often just drama queens’ when it comes to making meowing sounds

In support of the education of cat health and happiness, Kitty Bingo has asked Tommy Wylde, animal enthusiast and Editor of floofmania.com the most searched for cat questions, to delve into the meanings behind cat sounds.

In the past 12 months, ‘How do cats express happiness’ saw a +200% increase ^[2], showing that pet owners are using sounds to help predict the overall wellbeing of their cat.

Kitty Bingo’s Q&A with Tommy Wylde found:

A happy cat “often exhibits relaxed body language, purring, kneading, and slow blinking“, and as for signs of a sad cat, this can include “lethargy, decreased appetite, withdrawal, and aggressiveness.“ 

Google’s Most Asked Questions for ‘Why’ in 2023, ‘Why do cats purr’ had an Average Global Search Volume of 90,500 ^[3].

In response to this, Tommy Wylde explains “Cats purr for several reasons. Most often it’s a question of contentment. They purr when they’re relaxed and happy, often when they’re being petted or feel comfortable and secure. Cats usually purr while kneading with their paws, a behaviour that kittens and mother cats use to communicate.

The mother purrs to soothe the kitten and the kitten purrs back to signal that all is well. In adult cats, purring is used to communicate with ‘its human’ in the same way it would purr to its mother as a kitten. In addition, purring also helps cats reduce stress and even relieve pain to a certain extent!”

In the context of sleeping, Tommy highlighted “Snoring-like sounds (or purring) can be due to relaxed throat muscles during sleep. If it’s excessive or accompanied by other symptoms, consult a vet. I once had a cat who purred very loudly in his sleep when he was happy. He even drooled while doing so!”

Search trends for ‘Meowing’ has also seen an increase of +22% in the past 12 months ^[4].

Tommy responded that “Excessive meowing can result from various reasons, including hunger, attention-seeking, or illness. Identifying the cause isn’t always evident, but often cats are just drama queens.”

Interestingly, not all cats make sounds when meowing, and Tommy explained that “A silent meow might be due to vocal cord issues or when your cat wants to communicate without making noise. This is very common and not a cause for concern!

Search trends for ‘Why are cats vocal’ were up +100% ^[5].

Cats may use vocalisations for a range of different reasons, Tommy mentions that “Random squarks (vocalisations) can be expressions of excitement, playfulness, or a way to get attention whilst cats may display separation anxiety through excessive vocalisation”

Also, “Cats may vocalise to get their owner’s attention, especially if they’re eager for their company, but it’s not necessarily a sign of protection. Some cats have some quite unusual sounds in their vocabulary when they’re excited, though!”

‘Cat hissing for no reason’ had a +80% increase in search trends ^[6], however is there a reason?

Tommy warns that hissing isn’t a sign of a happy cat “Hissing is always a defensive action. It indicates fear, discomfort, or a desire to establish boundaries. It’s important to not try and approach a hissing cat, because it’ll most likely bite and scratch if you do. When a cat hisses, try to give it some space, an easy way to escape, and show the cat that you’re not trying to challenge or provoke them in any way!”

Cat Reactions:

Cat enthusiast Tommy explains, “Cats may react to sounds of opening a can (associated with food), their owner’s voice, or a familiar toy’s sound. Some cats also react to their names, but this often demands a little training and isn’t as evident as it’s the case with dogs.”

“Cats are often drawn to sounds that mimic prey, like rustling noises or chirping birds. (But this is not always the case, and I wouldn’t say that there is one sound that cats simply cannot resist).”

And for cat reactions to getting woken up from sleeping, this varies, Tommy adds that “Some cats may make grumbling or irritated noises when awakened abruptly, but it varies from cat to cat. I’ve had cats that sort of sighed when awakened.”

Some furry friends are outdoor cats, whilst others are indoor cats, so are there any differences in the sounds they make? Tommy clarified that “Both house cats and outside cats can make similar sounds. However, outdoor cats may use vocalisations to communicate with other cats more frequently.”

Finally, Tommy explained that when it comes to showing your cat that you love them, you can “Show your love through petting, playtime, gentle words, treats, and spending quality time together. Cats also appreciate a safe and comfortable environment.”

And when it comes to cats reciprocating the love, Tommy says “Cats may lick their owners as a sign of affection or to groom you, considering you part of their ‘family’.”