Most cat owners enjoy listening to their pet purr. If your cat doesn’t meow, it might just be ordinary cat behavior, but be on the lookout for any red flags that anything more serious may be going on.
Is a Cat Quiet Naturally Quiet?
If a cat that is typically boisterous suddenly goes quiet for extended periods of time, some fear might be justified. A visit to the veterinarian is highly recommended, especially if your pet exhibits signs of fatigue or depression. Your family pet’s reclusive nature may have always been a trait of cats, and it is perfectly natural if your pet else seems happy and healthy.
Cats are unusual beings having both quiet and loud dispositions, just as people. In cat vocalization, breed distinctions are also frequent. While Siamese cats are notorious for their loud, grating meowing, Birman cats are naturally silent. The more suddenly a noisy breed turns silent, the more likely it is to cause trouble.
With the exception of a mother cat and her young, cats hardly ever communicate with one another. Many scientists genuinely believe that meowing is a crafty tactic used by cats to get what they desire. Meowing is a sign of domestication in cats since it is a way for them to interact with their humans. Because adult cats don’t meow at one another, it’s typical for your kitten to gradually become quieter as it gets older. It might not be inclined to meow as an adult.
Tips
- Try “talking it up” with your cat to see if they will respond. Try interacting with your cat the same way you would with a buddy. Pause your speech to see if you have received a response, just like you would in a face-to-face conversation.
- Turn your head to face your cat while you speak to encourage meowing. Let your cat know you’re trying to interact with it for best results.
- Play a recording of cats meowing or show a video of cats meowing to see whether your cat will respond.
Additional, Worse Reasons Why Cats Don’t Sing
The bulk of feline silence is caused by “personality” issues, although more severe physical conditions can nevertheless occasionally be to blame.
Speak to your veterinarian if you believe there may be another cause for the quiet or if it is brand-new.
A standing respiratory infection
Cats can get hoarse and develop laryngitis from an upper respiratory infection (URI), which similarly affects people. If your pet also displays other symptoms like coughing, sneezing, swelling of the eyelid mucous membranes, lethargy, or a discharge from the nose, it may be indicative of a respiratory illness. Your veterinarian will most likely administer antibiotics or another medication to treat this.
Hyperthyroidism
Senior cats with overactive thyroid glands may lose weight and sound hoarse. If you think this is the case, have your veterinarian run blood tests and make treatment recommendations.
Inability to speak
An unusual nerve injury to the larynx could cause voice changes and breathing problems (voice box). Additionally, it could cause coughing, weight loss, and trouble eating. This is an urgent issue that requires immediate medical attention.
Tumors or polyps
Due to various growths in its throat and vocal chords, your cat may stop vocalizing. These might range from mild benign polyps to serious malignant growths. If your cat exhibits hoarseness, a shifting vocal tone, sneezing, coughing, or noisy or challenging breathing, take it to the vet for a diagnosis and treatment. The veterinarian could take a biopsy sample to test for cancer.
A cat’s quiet is typically just a choice or an expression of its personality and isn’t a reason for alarm. If it is silent but has extra symptoms, always get a professional evaluation.
Educating Your Cat
Cats, like people, occasionally just require some affirmation. If your cat is mute, just enjoy your companion in its current state. Cats are calm animals by nature. If you are unable to get your cat to vocalize, don’t be hard on yourself. There is no need for you to worry about this. Because some people have troubles with their cats’ excessive vocalization, you might even count your blessings.
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