Cats make lots of interesting noises. We know that they meow, but cats also make another super cute noise, known as chatter. And, like it’s called, that’s much like what it sounds like. This interesting cat sound happens for two reasons. We know that cats are all individuals; some are naturally more talkative than others. But when it comes to cat chatter, this is something that any cat can exhibit. It’s a fun thing to watch, so keep reading to find out why cats make the eek eek eek sound!
Here’s why cats make the eek eek eek sound (aka chatter)…
You might be sitting there minding your business when suddenly, your cat is entranced by something. As you study their movements, you notice they often start to move slowly, their eyes fixated intensely. When your cat chatters, this is not the same sound as when your cat trills. A cat trill is that sweet little “brrrrr” sound they often make upon waking or seeing you. Maine Coon cats are primarily known for producing these sounds. Cat chatter is frequently used when a cat is fixated on prey, which could be anything from a bird to a bug to a feather toy in your home.
When your cat does this, they are not trying to speak to a bird, squirrel, or feather.
(Although one study found that a cat mimicking the sound of crying monkeys in the wild might have us thinking otherwise.) They are doing this because they are so intensely fixated on the prey that they know is out of reach. Even the most domesticated feline still has an urge to hunt—although, for some cats, the desire is not as strong as for others. And, it’s best to limit your cat’s hunting due to dwindling bird populations. In Australia, for example, many indigenous bird populations face extinction due to the outdoor cats’ desire to hunt.
When cats make that eek eek eek chatter sounds, it’s best believed that they are doing this because they are anxious and eager to zero in on that prey.
If they’re indoors and it’s something within reach, that completes their hunting cycle, and they’re happy. And, if it’s not, they might be a bit of a sour puss about not getting what they want—a tasty snack. Additionally, your feline friend has a super keen sense of smell. And they like to get a whiff of what they smell before eating it, so they might imagine how yummy that prey would taste in their mouth.
If you notice that your cat is chattering at you, don’t worry.
They’re not wondering what your flesh tastes like. They’re excited to see you! Or have you ever seen a cat chatter in its sleep? Well, I bet now that you know the above information, you’ll know exactly what they’re dreaming of—hunting prey!
Did you learn anything new and interesting about our feline friends? Don’t forget to share this article with other cat lovers you know so they can learn something, too.
Do you want to learn all about the many sounds our feline friends make and how to understand them better? The following article on cattitudedaily.com explains familiar cat sounds and their meanings.
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