Why Does My Cat Meow When I Pet It? - Reasons And Interpretations

The most important aspect of petting our cats is that we should get to know them. Although there are general types of cat personality, every cat is an individual and will interact with us in different ways. In this way, we will be better able to understand what our individual cat is trying to say to us when they meow while being petted. You can even consider it feedback.

However, there are some general reasons why cats meow when being petted:

• Enjoyment: the first reason why a cat meows while you are petting them is simply because they enjoy it. Cats find it pleasurable when they are petted, just as we might enjoy getting a back rub or massage. While some social mores might prohibit us from making too many pleasurable sounds during these activities, cats are less repressed and will be happy to emit sound when they are enjoying something. Some cats are more affectionate than others and may be more vocal in their enjoyment.
• Encouragement: cats will also meow when you pet them because they want to encourage you to continue. If you have been at work all day, they may not know when the next petting session is coming and will meow to keep it up as much as possible. It is important to note that a meow means they want you to keep going. A growl, shrill cry or hiss will likely mean the opposite.
• Trust: a cat will meow when being petted to show they trust us. Being so close to a cat means they are opening themselves up to being vulnerable. They consider us family and allow us to perform this action.
• Wellbeing: finally, cats will meow when you pet them as a sign of contentment and wellbeing. This is in contrast to a cat being in pain or discomfort. If you ask why does my pet cry when I pet it, it means you are either touching somewhere sensitive or they have had an injury. This could even be an internal injury. On the contrary, meowing shows that everything is fine.

In addition, a meow during petting can sometimes indicate a cat's desire for more than just physical touch. Some cats may want to engage in play or seek a treat as a reward for their affection. Understanding your cat's preferences and routine will help in deciphering these signals. A cat's meow is not an exact science and we will need to pay attention to them to get to know what they are saying. This is because every cat will have their own way of speaking and may even make some odd sounds. Different breeds are also more prone to vocalization than others, so they may need more understanding. Eventually, with your own pet cat, you will start to know what they want to communicate to us with their specific meows.

Take a look at some more meanings of different cat meows in our video below: