What cat sounds mean
102 real recordings across 10 behavioural categories. Each page explains what the sound is, what it signals, and whether it is something you should ever play at a cat.
Sounds you can play
Affiliative and neutral categories. Safe for short, gentle sessions with a relaxed cat.
Happy
10 soundsWhat does it mean when a cat chirps or trills?Chirps, trills and greeting meows — the sounds cats make when they are pleased to see you.Read the explainer →Resting
10 soundsWhy do cats purr?Purrs and slow settling sounds — the low-frequency register cats use when winding down.Read the explainer →Hunting Mind
10 soundsWhy does my cat chatter at birds?Chattering, chittering and stalking sounds made at the sight of prey.Read the explainer →
Sounds for recognition only
Conflict, distress and mating vocalisations. Documented so you can identify them — never to be played at a cat to provoke a reaction.
Mother Call
Recognition onlyWhat sound does a mother cat make?The summoning calls a queen uses to gather, move and reassure her kittens.Read the explainer →Warning
Recognition onlyWhy does my cat hiss?Hisses and low growls — the clear “stop, back off” end of the feline range.Read the explainer →Angry
Recognition onlyWhat does it mean when a cat growls?Growls and sustained low calls that signal a cat has moved past warning.Read the explainer →Defense
Recognition onlyWhat sounds does a scared cat make?The startled, cornered vocalisations of a cat protecting itself.Read the explainer →Fighting
Recognition onlyWhat do cat fight sounds mean?The escalating shrieks and caterwauls of a genuine confrontation.Read the explainer →Mating
Recognition onlyWhy do cats yowl at night?Caterwauls and oestrus calls — the loudest sounds in the feline repertoire.Read the explainer →Pain
Recognition onlyWhat does a cat in pain sound like?Distress vocalisations — included so you can recognise them, never to play at a cat.Read the explainer →