Why Do Cats Chirp? Find Out What This Means For You and Your Cat

All cats communicate differently. Some cats are very quiet, using the meow sound only when hungry. However, many cats, especially certain breeds, have quite the vocabulary to make their needs known. Siamese, Oriental Shorthairs, Bengals, Japanese Bobtails, Maine Coons, and Turkish Angoras can be quite vocal. The sounds some cats make can keep us both amused and curious.

Among the many sounds cats can produce, chirping is one that often stands out. Understanding chirping and other feline vocalizations can strengthen the bond between you and your kitty by knowing what they are trying to communicate to you. 

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Main takeaways

• Cats have their own vocabulary.

• One sound they produce is called chirping.

• Cats chirp for a variety of reasons.

Why do cats chirp?

Chirping is a high-pitched, repetitive cat vocalization. A chirp is not a meow or purr; it sounds more like a trill combined with a bird call. 

There are several different reasons cats chirp. Chirps are often associated with instincts, so not every cat chirps. Emotions and efforts to communicate may also cause chirping. Let’s examine some of the main reasons cats make this adorable sound.

They are greeting humans or other animals.

Just like humans and many other animals, cats like to say, “Hello! I’m happy to see you.” This greeting may be directed to other cats or you. It also implies that your cat is friendly, not hostile, and can be a way of showing excitement.

Often, there’s body language accompanying chirping. A cat may raise their tail, blink slowly, or rub against you. Along with the chirp, these body movements indicate that the kitty is comfortable and is bonding with you or another animal. In general, a chirping cat is a friendly cat. If you have more than one cat, chirping can strengthen their relationship with each other.

They are hunting and playing.

Chirping is one of the sounds a cat may make when stalking prey. Cats are excellent hunters and often have particular sounds and behaviors they demonstrate when engaged in hunting or pretending to hunt. You may have noticed your cat sit in a window and chirp while watching squirrels, birds, or other small animals.

When cats play, they often mimic the sounds and behaviors they would engage in if hunting. Certain toys, like laser pointers or feather wands, may elicit chirping because they move like a cat’s prey. It has even been hypothesized that the chirping sound may be your cat trying to imitate a bird or rodent call. 

They want food or attention.

A chirping cat could be requesting attention or food. This type of chirping is directed at humans, not the other animals in the house, and is a learned behavior. Cats can be quick learners. They chirp, you laugh and pay attention, and eventually, they understand chirping may get them things they want. They may be trying to get a treat or meal from you, or, if they are uncomfortable or scared, they may use chirping to get comfort from you. 

They are excited or enthusiastic about something.

Cats may chirp just out of excitement. That excitement could be because they have a new toy, you gave them a treat, or it’s mealtime. There is often body language accompanying these chirps. They may wag the tip of their tail, have wide eyes, or purr. Cats like to share their excitement with you, and chirping is one obvious way to do it. 

How to respond to your cat’s chirps

Understanding and responding to your cat’s chirps can build an even stronger bond between you. Here are a few tips on how to react when your cat chirps:

• Let them know you heard them. If your cat greets you with a chirp, pet them or speak lovingly to them.

• If your cat chirps while playing with toys,  join in. Use interactive toys. Mimic the hunting experience to offer mental and physical stimulation. 

• If your cat chirps near mealtime, respond to their needs. If it’s affection they want, give it to them. 

• Encourage their enthusiasm. Make sure they have windows to watch the birds from, provide cat trees with several levels, and buy new toys occasionally. 

• Pay attention to your cat if it chirps and seems distressed. It could be chirping because it is uncomfortable or anxious.

References

• Fermo, Jaciana Luzia, et al. “Only When It Feels Good: Specific Cat Vocalizations Other than Meowing.” Animals, vol. 9, no. 11, 1 Nov. 2019, p. 878, www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/9/11/878/htm, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9110878.

• Prato-Previde, Emanuela, et al. “What’s in a Meow? A Study on Human Classification and Interpretation of Domestic Cat Vocalizations.” Animals, vol. 10, no. 12, 14 Dec. 2020, p. 2390, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10122390.

• ‌Schnaider, M. A., et al. “Cat Vocalization in Aversive and Pleasant Situations.” Journal of Veterinary Behavior, vol. 55-56, 1 Sept. 2022, pp. 71–78, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1558787822000831, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2022.07.009.

• Tavernier, Chloé, et al. “Feline Vocal Communication.” Journal of Veterinary Science, vol. 21, no. 1, 1 Jan. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7000907/, https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2020.21.e18.