When Do Cats Start To Meow – Timeline And Expectations!

A cat’s meow is its primary method of communication with humans. Surprisingly, they have a pretty extensive vocabulary within their range of meows. But, when do cats start to meow?

Cats start to meow and make noises shortly after being born. Cats develop their full vocal range around three-four months old. A full adult meow is audible at one year of age.

When a cat is a kitten, these will sound like soft yodels or mewling noises. Cats can communicate everything from “I am in pain” to “More belly rubs please,” with their meows. We’ll talk a little more about how this timeline of meowing works, and what sounds you can expect to hear at certain stages of development!

How Long Does It Take For Kittens To Meow

There is usually a progression of noises kittens make from when they are first born when they make their adult-sounding meow.

When Kittens Are First Born	A Few Weeks Old	3-6 Months Old	12 months-18 months old
Your cat may make very soft mewling noises, whistles, or squeaks right after they are born.	Your kitten continues to make soft chirping noises to let their mother know when they need attention.	Your cat begins to recognize meowing is an effective communication method and starts meowing more often.	Your cat has developed their full adult meow, and meows frequently throughout the day.

Do Newborn Kittens Make Noise

Yes, newborn kittens do make noise. Pretty much immediately after birth, kittens will start meowing. As newborns, their noises will be soft and timid, but they do this as a way to express themselves. At that age, their eyes have still not opened, and it’s a way to communicate with their mother.

A newborn kitten that is feeling distressed makes noise to call out for their mother and let them know they would like attention or more milk. It is a similar tool to how newborn babies cry to alert their mother to their needs.

Why Does My Kitten Squeak And Not Meow

If your cat squeaks more than they meow, it may just be less of a vocal cat. Cats that grew up in a domestic home environment and were praised for expressing their needs are often more vocal than those who did not.

If you would like your cat to meow more frequently, try to talk to them more often. While they may not understand what you are saying, increased vocalization will help them find their voice too!

Is It Normal For A Kitten Not To Meow

Do not worry if your kitten does not meow much; that is normal behavior. Meowing is not an inherent trait for cats; it is something they learn over time to communicate with humans.

Some kittens take a few months before they come into themselves and find their voice. Cats do not meow to communicate with each other, so they learn over time that this is a way to talk to their human.

What Does It Mean When A Kitten Can’t Meow

It does not necessarily mean anything is wrong if your kitten doesn’t meow. Some cat breeds are inherently quieter than others. If you are looking for a less vocal breed less likely to meow and chirp at you, consider adopting a Birman, LaPerm, or Ragdoll cat.

Are There Cats That Don’t Meow

Yes, some cats don’t meow. A cat might not meow because they feel they can effectively communicate without needing to meow at all. If your cat has developed their way of letting you know when they want to eat or play, they may never exercise their ability to meow because they don’t need to.

Some cats find eye contact and body language are effective enough tools and are just less vocal unless they are genuinely in distress. If your kitten never grew up around other cats, they may not have witnessed the meow at a young age and may not have thoroughly picked up on the behavior.

Do Older Cats Lose Their Meow

Older cats can lose their meow, but this is not normal for an aging cat. Losing the ability to meow at an older age after being a vocal cat for most of their life indicates a change that is affecting your cat’s ability to meow.

They may have suffered some trauma to their vocal cords by swallowing something they should not have eaten. Your cat may also be afflicted by hyperthyroidism, which can cause laryngitis in your cat’s thyroid glands.

A meaningful way to distinguish the problem is by evaluating the noises your cat is making. If they are trying to meow and it comes out sounding raspy or like your cat is coughing, call your vet for medical attention right away.

Can A Cat Be Mute

Yes, some cats are mute. This can happen if your cat has a vocal cord deformity or suffered an injury that left them mute.

With mute cats, they may still try to make noises, but no sound comes out. There is such a thing as a silent meow. This is when your cat opens their mouth as though to meow, but no sound comes out. Your cat may be making some noise, but it might be so quiet you cannot tell unless you are very close to them.

Things To Consider

Often people think that deaf cats are likely to be mute, but this is the opposite of the truth. Deaf cats cannot hear themselves to regulate the pitch or tone of their meow, which means they are often louder and more shrill than a cat with a full range of hearing.

Deaf cats rely more heavily on their other senses to make up for the loss of sound, and you will have to take special consideration to do the same for your cat.

While you cannot talk to them to communicate, you can wave or clap your hands to get your cat’s attention. It is much more critical for a deaf cat to visually get their attention by stepping into their frame of vision and signaling to them.

With a deaf cat, be careful not to creep up on them too suddenly, as this can be extra startling if they do not have adequate warning.

FAQCats

My name is James, and welcome to FAQCats!

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