Cats express themselves by communicating in various different ways, with the most well known sound being the meow.
But you may of heard your cat making other unusual noises that leaves you wondering what it is your cat actually wants. The sound we are going to talk about in this post is cat trilling.
Trilling is an unusual sound, one that you may of heard but not many cat owners actually know what it means or what your cat is trying to communicate. Is it a positive or a negative sound? Is it something you should be concerned about?
Let’s take a look at exactly what cat trilling is and why excessive trilling could be a worry.
What Is A Trill
Trilling is associated with a positive emotion that is a high-pitched sound that cats use as a form of vocalization which allows them to express themselves to communicate various different things.
It can be described as being very similar to a rolling R that a human can do with their mouth and tongue. Cat trilling is a short sound that generally lasts around one to two seconds.
How Do Kitties Make A Cat Trilling Sound?
The trilling sound is produced with a closed mouth with the air being pushed through their vocal cords rather than expelling the air.
What Does Cat Trilling Sound Like?
Why does my cat keep Trilling?
Now you know how cats trill and what it sounds like, let’s now take a look at the various different reasons of why cats make the trilling sound.
#1 Mother And Kitten Trilling
Although male cats trill, it’s commonly used more by female cats to communicate with their kittens. One of the things that trilling communicates is to encourage the kittens to follow their mother if they need to capture their attention.
As kittens learn trilling from such an early age, they mimic their mother and then take this sound as a form of communication into their adult life.
#2 A Form Of Greeting
As mentioned above, kittens learn trilling from such an early age that is then taken into adult life and used as a form of greeting to greet both their owners and other cats.
So if you’ve ever noticed your cat producing this sound when you get home from work, it means that they are expressing happiness and affection towards you. Cats also use trilling to greet other kitties, unlike the meow which is only directed at humans.
#3 Seeking Attention
A cat trilling at you may also be their way of expressing that they want some attention. If they are moving away at the same time of making the trilling, this could be a sign that they want you to follow them.
This means they are either hungry and after treats, want a play session, or they want to be let outside. This behavior is learnt as kittens and picked up from when their mothers us trilling as a way to get the kittens to follow her.
Trilling vs Other Cat Sounds
Here are the different categories of cat vocalization and how they compare to cat trilling.
- Closed Mouth: As well as trilling, purring also comes under the closed mouth category of cat sounds. Purring is a continuous sound that is generally associated with positive emotions.
- Open Then Closed Mouth: This is the most well known form of cat communication which is the meow. Meows can mean various different things and there are also a wide variety of different sounding meows based on the individual cat.
- Open Mouth: Open mouth forms of communication are usually aggressive or fear-based and include yowling, snarling, growling, and hissing.
Why Do Some Cats Trill And Others Don’t?
Trilling is part of a cats personality which means not all cats will trill. You will find some cats are more vocal and extrovert than others, and these are the kind of cats that will generally trill more.
A cat who is quit shy will find it harder to express their emotions which means they will trill less, if at all. Certain breeds such as Siamese, Maine Coon, and Scottish fold are more vocal and will generally trill more than other breeds.
Do Cats Trill When In Heat?
A female cat in heat will make mating calls in the form of trills and meows when they are trying to attract a male partner. A male cat will also make the same form of vocalization when responding to the female cat.
Check out the sound below of a domestic cat mating call.
Why Does My Cat Trill When She Jumps?
A cat trilling when they jump is generally a sign that they are seeking attention or want treats. One of our cats does this in the kitchen when we are preparing food. Not only is he after the food but he also knows the cat treats are kept up the one corner of the counter.
When Is Trilling A Worry?
Trilling is a positive sign that means your cat is content and happy, but is there a time when trilling may be a cause for concern?
Cat Excessive Trilling
Although trilling is perfectly naturally, in some instances, a sudden increase in trilling may be an indication that your cat is pain or feeling unwell. Cats are notorious for doing a great job at hiding pain or injury.
Although this is rare, if you feel you cannot find the reason for the sudden excessive trilling, it’s always best to be on the safe-side and contact a veterinarian. Especially if you have a more senior cat that has suddenly started trilling more.
Conclusion
Just to summarize, cat trilling is a beautiful sound that cats make that they learn from the mothers as a kitten. This positive sound is a form of greeting, or your cats way of trying to grab your attention.
