As cat owners, it’s normal to hear your feline friend growling and wondering why. Cats are vocal communicators and they make all sorts of sounds to communicate. A growl from a cat is a distinctive noise that can cause concern. Cats growl to warn us when they are unhappy or agitated. It’s important to understand that this noise often signals their discontentment. .
Cat parents should try to improve the situation to prevent aggressive behaviors. Unlike dogs, cats have a variety of noises like meowing, purring, hissing, and chirping to express themselves. Being accustomed to hearing their noises over time, we can usually tell when something is wrong.
Cats are also known to be the noisiest animals when they want to be heard, and it’s one of the joys and sometimes the challenges of spending time with our feline friends. Growling is their way of saying they are angry or agitated and need quiet.
Why does my cat growl often?
Cats often growl as a normal behavior to communicate their discontentment or fear. This low rumble is produced when air passes through their vocal cords. Cat parents might notice this growling behavior when their cats feel angry, frightened, or territorial. Physiological reasons like pain can also trigger a growl. Domestic cats, much like wild cats, have a complex repertoire of sounds to express themselves.
Is It Usual for a Cat to Growl?
Cats often use growling as a natural form of communication. It’s a low, guttural sound that can be accompanied by a curl of the lip, exposing teeth, and it can be quite shocking and intimidating. This behavior may be a sign of sudden aggression, especially if a housemate is involved. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean something is significantly wrong. If your cat is in a crowded space or feeling overwhelmed, this fierce behavior is normal. To address the issue, it’s vital to determine the reason for the growling.Maybe the cat feels mellow in its space being invaded, or it could be a persistent issue like a hidden wound. Intervene if the situation seems serious, but often, giving your cat some space can diffuse the tension. Hissing and growling are ways for your cat to communicate discomfort, and it’s important to identify and find a solution to what might be causing this behavior.
Cat meow sounds
Cats make all kinds of meow sounds to tell what they want. Some meows are short and sweet, while others are long and loud when hungry or upset. It’s funny how each cat has their special meows. My cat always does this tiny chirp-meow in the morning when he wants breakfast but switches to a dramatic, wailing meow when I’m late feeding him. Unlike wild cats, our house cats meow mostly for us humans, not for other cats, which shows how clever they are at figuring out what works to get our attention!
Behavioral Factors Contributing to Cat Growling
Cats may growl for a variety of behavioral reasons, such as feeling fearful, being overstimulated, asserting their territorial instincts, and more. Let’s explore each of these factors in greater detail below.
Cats Growl to Express Fear
As a cat parent, you might notice your cat growling and hissing when it feels anxious or afraid due to a change in its environment or routine. For instance, the presence of a new person or pet in the house can make your cat feel uneasy. When touched or disturbed, your cat might display fear by having its ears and whiskers held back, fur and tail standing up, and back arched.
These creatures often growl to dissuade others and establish boundaries for their personal space. It’s important for parents to identify the trigger and remove the source if possible, helping the cat feel safe by establishing a consistent routine.
Cats growl when to feel overstimulated
Cats may growl if they feel overstimulated during playtime. Sometimes, what starts as fun playing can quickly turn into rough play, causing your cat to misinterpret your actions. If you notice your cat’s ears pinned back, whiskers forward, pupils dilated, and tail tucked between legs, they might be feeling defensive.
These signs indicate that your cat is not enjoying the session and is ready to pounce or defend itself. It’s essential to stop the activity and give them the space they need to calm down. Remember, cat and meows is the way to communicate their discomfort and aggression.
Cats growl to mark their territory
Cats are territorial creatures that often use growling to assert dominance and warn an opponent to stay out of their space. When a cat feels threatened, it may engage in a standoff, showing signs of aggression like hissing and spitting. In multi-cat households, this behavior helps establish a social hierarchy, which can be difficult when introducing a new kitten. From my experience, don’t expect your cat to back down easily; they might even fight to achieve their goal of protecting their territory.
Cats growl to protect their resources
Cats may growl to protect their territory within the house, especially when they feel their resources like food, water, or belongings are being touched or threatened. Instinctively, they see these as essential for survival and may show aggressive behaviors towards other pets or even humans to establish their dominance. From my experience, having multiple cats in the same home often requires separate feeding areas to avoid conflicts, as they can be very possessive about their resources.
Cats growl as a sign of discomfort
As a cat parent, you might notice your cat growling during certain interactions. This growl often serves as a warning that they feel uncomfortable or threatened. Common triggers include new situations or unfamiliar people or animals. If this warning is ignored, it can escalate to biting or scratching, endangering everyone involved. To prevent this, give your cat space and do nothing that could increase their fear or anger.
Also Read: cat hissing while playing
Main and important reasons why does my cat growl?
By observing any sudden changes, you can better understand your cat’s needs. Below, we explore the physical factors that might be causing your cat to growl unexpectedly.
A cat’s growling may indicate a comfort
Cats are often stoic creatures and very skilled at hiding pain, so when they start growling, it could be a sign of discomfort. Cat parents should observe any change in behavior and watch for signs of aggression. Growling can indicate potential health issues such as dental problems, internal or external parasites, urinary tract infections, or even an injured area. If your cat growls when you touch an affected area, it’s important to suspect something might be wrong and contact a veterinarian to rule out underlying medical conditions.
A cat might growl to protect her kittens
Cats often growl due to their territorial nature, especially when they feel their space or resources are being threatened. When a mother cat is growling, it can be due to her maternal instincts kicking in. She becomes highly protective of her kittens and wants to keep them safe from any perceived threats. This behavior is entirely natural and is driven by her need to ensure her young ones are in a familiar and secure environment. I’ve noticed that my cat, when she had her kittens, would often growl if anyone got too close. It’s her way of saying, “Stay away, this is my territory, and I need to protect my babies.
Cat Growling due to hormonal changes
A cat’s growling can be puzzling, but it often stems from hormonal changes. Unsprayed and unneutered cats, especially during mating season, exhibit signs of aggression due to fluctuating hormones. When a cat is in heat, the male cats around might show dominance, leading to more growling. From my experience, my unsprayed female cat would growl more during these periods, indicating her discomfort and the influence of hormones.
How to Build Trust When Your Cat Growls?
Ensure Your Cat’s Comfort and Safety
Understanding how to respond to a growling cat is crucial for every cat parent to ensure the safety of their feline friend, themselves, and others. When your cat starts growling, the best immediate action is to give them some space. We’ll delve deeper into why this is important and how to handle the situation in the sections below.
Let Your Cat Have Their Own Space
When your cat starts growling, it is giving a clear warning to leave it alone. In such a case, it is important for anyone who is present to respect the wishes of the cat and provide it with personal space. From my experience, staying calm and ensuring children understand to must leave the cat alone is vital. Teach them to back off immediately for their safety and the cat’s comfort.
Identify the Cause
When a cat growls, it might be due to someone or a stranger in the house. This can be causing stress, making the cat feel unsafe. To help, respectfully remove the trigger if possible and give your cat some space. If these situations occur often, try to reduce exposure to what’s unsettling them.
Eliminate potential health concerns
When my cat started to growl unexpectedly, I knew something was wrong. It wasn’t just aggressive behavior; there was often an underlying cause. Sometimes, pain or discomfort from an injury or dental issue can make a cat growl. A thorough check by a vet can help identify if there is an underlying cause for the growling, ensuring your cat isn’t suffering in silence.
Try to make your cat feel safe
When your cat growls, it’s a sign they might not feel safe in their environment. This behavior can indicate that they are not comfortable and might need a private space to retreat to when they are feeling overwhelmed. To help them feel better, make sure your home has places where they can have more control over their surroundings and make them feel like they have a haven.
Mistakes Cat Owners Should Avoid
When your cat growls, it’s often a warning sign that something is wrong. As cat parents, it’s a mistake to ignore these vocalized cues of displeasure. Growling can be a sign of aggressive behavior if the cause is not addressed, and it can escalate if the situation continues to trigger them. It’s important to observe your cat’s body language and understand their emotion and feeling to approach them appropriately.
Communicating with your cat means paying attention to their vocal cues and trying to discover what might be causing them to feel threatened or upset. Never punish a cat for growling; instead, try to figure out what’s causing it and adjust how you interact with them to reduce their stress.
When your cat starts growling, hissing, or even spitting, it is usually a sign that they are feeling annoyed, cat fainting frightened, or angry. These sounds can also indicate that your cat is becoming aggressive. From my experience, if my cat is making a yowl or a howl, especially if these are loud and drawn-out, it often means they are in distress or looking for help.
One time, my cat was stuck in the closet and was meowing in a way that was unusual, showing signs of pain. Understanding these behaviors can help you figure out why your cat is upset and how to make them feel safe and comfortable.
Also, read: why does my cat chew his nails
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is My Cat Growling Low?
When your cat starts growling, hissing, or even spitting, it is usually a sign that they are feeling annoyed, frightened, or angry. These sounds can also indicate that your cat is becoming aggressive. Understanding these behaviors can help you figure out why your cat is upset and how to make them feel safe and comfortable.
Why Is My Cat Growling at Me?
When cats start growling, it can be confusing, especially if your kitten seemed happy a moment ago. From my experience, the growl often means they’re trying to warn you. This can happen if they are eating and don’t want to be touched. This behavior is quite natural and can be a way for cats to communicate their needs and feelings.
Should I Allow My Cat to Growl?
Felines often growl because they feel threatened or scared. When they growl, it means they have had enough and want you to know they are not comfortable. To help them, you should identify the stressor causing this reaction and remove it. This will help your cat feel calm, and tranquility will return. Sometimes, a mighty growl is just a way for them to express their feeling of being scared.
Final Thoughts
Your cat’s growling is a form of communication indicating that they feel threatened, scared, or in pain. It can also be a defensive response to protect their territory or themselves. Understanding the context of the growling can help identify the cause, whether it’s a new environment, a strange animal, or an unfamiliar person.
Always approach a growling cat with caution and patience, giving them space to feel secure. If the growling persists, consulting a veterinarian or a feline behaviorist can provide insights and solutions to ensure your cat’s well-being
