Domesticated pets make a whole range of different sounds that can easily scare their pet parents.
Unlike humans, these animal species cannot communicate directly and thus rely on these sounds to pass messages and to express themselves better.
One of the most prevalent sounds these pets make is chirping in cats, and you may have heard it yourself at some time.
In case you are worried about the constant chirping sounds that your furry friend makes, we have something for you.
We will look at all the information surrounding cat chirping and what you can do in case it concerns you.
We will also talk about how it sounds and what it means to help you stay ahead of your furry friend, so you can truly become an expert as well.
Table of Contents
What Is Cat Chirping?
You definitely know how bird chirping sounds.
Well, cat chirping sounds close to that. It is a short peep like sound that resembles the normal bird chirping.
Most of the sounds cats make are classified into murmuring, meowing, and aggressive.
Chirping falls under murmuring since it is mostly produced when the cat’s mouth is closed.
Where Did It Originate?
Funnily, all the behaviors you witness in your domesticated feline friend has an origin, which makes sense really.
Remember, cats were once wild before domestication started, and therefore, most of their actions point back to their first habitat.
However, cat chirping is mostly attributed to the kitten hood period.
Several theories exist, but one of the most revered dictates that mother cats chirp to signal their groups of kittens to follow them.
Another theory that explains the origin of cat chirping believes that kittens use it to get messages across to their mothers, which may tell why cat chirping normally has a blend of excitement and frustration to it tone wise.
what’s up with cats chirping?
So Why Do Cats Chirp?
There is a reason for every sound your cat makes. You should, therefore, pay close attention when your cat chirps.
Chirping is one of the means of communication that cats utilize to get across to their pet parents and to express themselves. Cats can chirp for many reasons such as when they are hungry, to express playfulness, to signify provocation and to express frustration as well.
A lot of the times when a cat chirps, they simply want attention from you and it does not have to mean they are angry at you.
Here are some of the reason why your cat chirps:
i) Kitten Chirping(Excitement/Frustrations)
Kittens chirp because of several reasons. One of the most common scenarios is when they are hungry.
Remember, one of the theories that explain the origin of chirping connects it to kitten hood.
Chirping, therefore, provides a leeway for kittens to communicate different feelings and messages to their mothers.
Kittens also chirp at their mothers to express playfulness.
You definitely know how playful kittens get, especially when their mothers are around.
A kitten will therefore chirp to start a play session with the mother.
Chirping when hungry initiates a feeding session.
ii) Window chirping
You must have witnessed your cat chirping at its window perch.
Keep in mind that cats were once wild animals, roaming freely as they watch out for predators, which changed when domestication began.
However, some of the instincts still remained, which shapes a number of cat behaviors.
Cats see a number of prey when looking out through the window, which provoke them to make a chirping sound.
This serves as a way of showing excitement at seeing a prey or subject of attention.
Cats can also chirp out of frustration as they look out of the window.
Domestication keeps cats away from their natural habitat, where they can easily hunt their prey of choice.
Frustration also come in when the cat notices that it cannot access the prey.
Cat owners are advised to always keep their cats indoors or they risk losing them. It is possible that your cat can run and disappear into the wild out of frustration.
If you think that your it won’t survive , take a close look at its structural adaptations.
ii) Excitement that comes with playing
You must have noticed that your cat chirps during playtime. Your feline friend will chirp at toys or play things to show excitement and satisfaction that comes with them.
These animals generally chirp at what entices them the most. Therefore, take some time and watch your cat as it engages with its feathered wands or plays laser-chaser games.
This type of chirping is not only restricted to kittens and female cats; it is done by cats of all ages and breeds.
Your cat may also chirp to signal its interest in a certain toy or to invite you for a play session using the toy.
Do not ,therefore, freak out when you notice this characteristic voice as you handle your cat’s favorite toy.
iii) To signify provocation
Cats also chirp to signify anger.
Do not get shocked if your cat makes this sound on spotting another cat invading its territory.
During such instances, your cat will accompany it chirping with a number of body languages.
Therefore, make sure that you are keen enough not to miss any of these signals.
Remember, this can occur when the cat is with your or with the other animal as well, it depends.
Who Do Cats Chirp At?
Cats can chip at both the pet parents and inanimate objects as well at times.
They mostly chirp at inanimate objects to show interest in them though.
It is a rare occurrence meaning that you won’t catch your cat chirping at lifeless objects most of the time.
Some of the common objects include enticing play toys. A cat chirping at a play toy shows interest or invitation to use the toy.
The chirping can also continue during playtime to show excitement.
You can ,therefore, give the toy to the cat or initiate a play session with your furry friend.
What Does It Mean When Your Cat Chirps At You?
Do not get scared when your cat chirps at you. This is pretty normal.
Most people confuse cat chirping as a sign of aggression, which is not the case.
Your cat will chirp at you if it demands something from you, which ranges from what you are holding to what is lying in store for it.
It will also chirp at you if it wants your attention or a play session.
It ,therefore, serves as a way of informing you that you need to initiate a bonding or play session. The same will also happen if your cat wants certain treats.
A cat will also chirp at you when it is hungry, just the same way kittens chirp at their mothers. You should not always confuse chirping for aggressiveness or pain.
At times all your cat wants is a little food. You will also notice your cat chirping at you when it wants access to a certain place, be it its toy room to the window perch.
You are not a threat to your cat when it chirps.
All it wants is some little attention.
Do Cats Only Chirp When They Are Indoors?
No. Cats chirp both indoors and outdoors. Remember, cats can easily be stressed by preys when they are outside, the same way they do when they are inside.
Do not, therefore, blindly believe that taking your cat outside for a walk will stop the chirping. In fact, you even risk losing your cat as it goes after prey.
Does Chirping Influence The Cat’s Body Language?
Yes. At a closer look, you will notice that your cat’s body language differs depending on the reason. For example, your cat will assume an alert position when chirping at an unwanted guest such as a bird or a rodent.
A friendly cat chirp is normally accompanied by a positive body language. You will ,therefore, spot your cat swishing its tail or butting its head gently.
When your cat feels provoked, you will spot it with dilated pupils and pointed ears as its chirps.
Is Cat Chirping Bad?
No. Do not freak out when your cat chirps at you or at an inanimate object. Chirping is a normal communication means for a cat.
Just follow it’s body language to know why it is chirping. It mostly happens when it demands something from you.
What Should I Do When My Cat Chirps?
By now you definitely know that chirping is not a defense mechanism for cats. Therefore, do not worry when your cat does this.
If your cat is chirping while looking out of the window, you can join it and stroke it slowly and even chirp along with it. Joining the cat assures gives it company, assuring it that it is not alone in its frustration or excitement.
The best thing to do when your cat chirps at a play toy is to initiate a play session with it. You can either give your feline friend the toy or join in in the action.
On the other hand, you can get your cat a play toy if you notice that it is ever chirping randomly at inanimate objects. However, keep in mind that cats lose interest in toys pretty fast, and ,therefore, you will need a collection.
All in all, make sure that you determine the cause of chirping and act on it accordingly.
If your cat feels provoked, get rid of the provoking party, whether it is another cat or an intruder.
Conclusion
Cats communicate in many ways, not just with their body movements and such.
Chirping in cats, therefore, carries a message to the pet parent and their human friend most of the time.
Do not freak out when your cat chirps, just identify the cause and act accordingly.
Now that we have answered all about “why do cats chirp?”, and the cat chirping meanings, you may also enjoy reading our article about how to litter train a kitten.
