Many issues can cause this, including: Laryngeal paralysis is the malfunction of the muscles in the windpipe. Cats with calicivirus may exhibit a number of symptoms, such as nasal congestion, sneezing and discharge from the eyes and nose. Sometimes, your cat is manipulating the sound of its meow to get what it wants. 645 votes, 20 comments. Can cats lose their voice? 0:26. These utterances sound like chirps and are used by cats to try and get their human owners’ attention. It also indicates that cats figure out that we much prefer the sweeter, higher sounds of the meow to the more guttural utterances of an adult cat. 1). A meow is one of the most common and recognizable features of a cat. There are times when you might notice your cat’s meow changes quite quickly and suddenly. The more vocal the cat is, the deeper its meow will be. There are many reasons why your cat’s meow might change from a chirpy, high-pitched sound to a hoarser tone. Cats who were discontent produced even lower-pitched meows. Here are some common reasons your cat might be meowing: They’re hungry. Cats Meow For Attention. Buster’s meow can tell you something about his state of health. Medical problems like kidney malfunction or thyroid disease may also cause your cat’s meow to change. A veterinarian must determine whether the cause is relatively benign and temporary, or something more serious. Update: She had the same soft high pitched meow the first 2 1/2 years of her life and now she has a louder, lower meow. But more often than not, it’s the sign of a common cold or a less serious respiratory infection. Or if it met a larger animal who posed a threat, your cat may have used sound to defend itself and scare the predator away. If so, you might wonder why. Hairballs are a common problem for cats, especially long-haired breeds. All in all, this strain hosts primarily sativa-dominant characteristics with a significant array of … They’re described in the National Center or Biotechnology Information as a high-pitched sound with a rise of the tone near the end of the vocalization. If the low-pitched meow doesn’t seem to be going away, more serious issues could be at play. This includes cat flu, damage to the vocal cords, excessive meowing, and injury or pain. Understanding the sound and tone of your cat’s meow can alert you to several things. As described on MSD Vet Manual, vocal changes may be evident due to an upper respiratory tract infection or by direct irritation from inhalation of dust, smoke, irritating gas, or foreign objects. Jack has a very rare form of laryngeal paralysis and his voice changed after his first surgery. Severe symptoms include eye ulcers, drooling, and lesions around the eyes. Feline herpes often causes a weakened immune system, leaving cats vulnerable to other infections. Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx, often resulting in harsh breathing, painful cough and hoarseness, or loss of voice. And because they struggle to hear, their meow might become more plaintive as they feel more distressed by their deteriorating functions. Also referred to as feline viral rhinopneumonitis, this virus can bring on sneezing, eye ulcers, drooling, and lesions around the eyes. VCA Animal Hospitals: Feline Calicivirus Infection, American College of Veterinary Surgeons: Laryngeal Paralysis. When using a litter box, a cat cannot make a retreat from a predator or…, Pet owners are often curious as to why their cat constantly scratches at windows. This is a condition where the nerve that controls the vocal folds becomes damaged. Some cats are also content to play…, If your cat kisses you on the lips, it is expressing significant affection. If the injury is significant enough, your cat’s voice box may become damaged. Hyperthyroidism & Hind Limb Weakness in Cats→. A. Here are some other reasons cats may meow at humans: I'm stressed . The sound of a cat howling is actually like a meow but louder and sometimes deeper. Cat has a crazy deep meow. In more serious cases, a constant squeaky meow could signify that a cat has sustained damage to its vocal cords. "In more than 20 years as a house-call veterinarian, I’ve heard every kind of meow you can imagine," Levy says. Based in northern New York, Brandy Burgess has been writing on pets, technical documentation and health resources since 2007. They’re usually caused by a virus or bacteria and can be transmitted from cat to cat through sneezing, coughing, grooming, or sharing food and water bowls. If you've tried to train your cat in the past and had no luck, this will work for you. Cats often meow to communicate with humans. It’s actually quite rare for a hairball to get stuck in the throat as they pass through to the stomach quite easily. 5 years ago | 248 views. Meows can be made when nerve signals from the brain are sent to nerves in the larynx. Deaf cats, old cats suffering from feline Alzheimer's, stressed cats suffering from separation anxiety, and those with thyroid, heart or kidney issues may yowl. It makes an irritating noise and damages the window. These cords are fibrous and work in conjunction with the trachea, epiglottis, and cartilage in the throat. Their eyesight and hearing will usually get worse. Healthy cats meow for many reasons: to ask for food, to demand attention or petting, or to remind you to open the door for them. Vocal strain from non-stop meowing or chronic cough could be to blame. Cats with tummy pain or arthritic joints may start meowing in a higher tone to vocalize that something is wrong. A sudden change in your cat’s meow can be worrying. But on very rare occasions, a change in sound indicates that your cat needs treatment. Answer Save. Larger objects or objects that have been stuck for an extended period will eventually cause your cat to lose its voice as it becomes sore and the airways become more restricted. This is likely to continue for the remainder of its life and will become part of its unique personality. In otherwise healthy cats, though, the only way … So if the cat hasn't meow'd much in its life, the meow will be higher. Initially, kittens unleash the sound to get their mum’s attention, and because they view us humans as their parents, the high pitched sound is continually used throughout their adult lives. If your cat makes a deep, guttural sound, there could be a serious medical problem at play. Trauma, excessive meowing, or a tumor of the larynx could also be causes of a hoarse meow. The first is that something is stopping the vocal cords from vibrating. Your cat will swallow more often and gag as it tries to cope with the pain. A cat will also change its meow to manipulate its owners. Laryngeal paralysis is caused by poor nerve function or by damage to the structures of the larynx. The most common reason is that your cat has put a strain on its voice box, which is most likely due to excessive meowing. Cat has a crazy deep meow. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Cat's Meow: A Fur-Ever Veterinary Romance. The flu-like symptoms can cause a temporary change in your cat’s meow. Your cat will gag to try and remove the foreign object, which can lead to mild irritation of the throat. Laryngitis usually develops from excessive meowing. For a vet to administer oxygen and anesthetic gas, a tube is usually placed in a cat’s windpipe. Your cat might also stop meowing altogether as it’s too painful. Voice changes in felines usually indicate that there is either a mechanical interference with the process or that there could be a lack of stimulation of the nerves associated with the vocal cords. Feline herpes (or feline viral rhinopneumonitis as the infection is known) produce flu-like symptoms that can cause a temporary change in your cat’s meow. Squeaky sounds also indicate when a cat is excited, happy, or happy to see you. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Feline calicivirus causes upper respiratory infections that lead to an array of cold symptoms, including nasal congestion, sneezing, discharge from the eyes and nose, and conjunctivitis. She also writes on personal development for YourFreelanceWritingCareer.com. The most common reason for a loss of voice is laryngitis, which we’ve already highlighted as an issue that often affects a cat’s meow. Has the cat been eating and drinking normally? Injuries, whether inside or outside the throat, can cause swelling. Feline calicivirus is a common cause of upper respiratory infections in cats. So why is my cat howling? Nerves control your cat’s vocal folds. So what on Earth could they be saying? It regulates the metabolic rate but can produce too much of the thyroid hormone if a growth occurs on the gland. Cats can also develop a hoarse meow due to laryngitis, which is an inflammation of the larynx. Instead of a meow, an affected kitten will only be able to let out a squeak. Why Does My Cat Meow Loudly After Using The Litter Box? The thyroid is a thumb-sized gland that sits on top of a cat’s throat. Tumors involving the vocal cords and laryngeal paralysis can also cause your cat’s meow to change. Both of these things, or anything similar, could lead to a sore throat or voice box strain that makes your cat’s meow sound hoarse. Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx. What should I do. This is what is likely to cause a change in your cat’s meow, with the sound becoming dry or hoarse. When a cat’s meow changes, it can be alarming. This can affect a cat’s vocal cords and stop a cat from producing sound. It’s been noted among animal rescue workers that the meow is largely absent in feral adult cats, and yet after regular contact with human caretakers, feral cats will develop a meow. My cat is normally very vocal and loud, it almost sounds like he ylls at me, but fo the past two days, his meow sounds very raspy and low. My cats meow got deeper all day until he stopped doing it altogether he is also sneezing regularly. ... Now that we know this, we can dig a bit deeper. Science has revealed that cats don’t meow at other cats — only at humans. Infections. Why Do Cats Meow Back When You Talk To Them? There are several possible reasons for your cat’s change in voice. This malfunction of the muscles in the trachea, or “wind pipe,” causes your kitty to breathe noisily and have a deep, raspy-sounding meow. Understanding the basics of feline communication, including why cats meow, is key to developing a deeper and more satisfying relationship with the feline in your life. Cats can develop sore throats. #cat #meow #catmeowing/Cat Meowing/My cat Kumba has many different meows. They meow by creating vibrations of vocal cords or folds. Cats that have not been spayed may yowl because they are in heat. This stops the larynx from opening properly and leads to a change of voice. A cat’s vocal ford cords also feature an additional membrane used for purring. Cats get sore throats. His meow is unlike anything we’ve ever heard. You might know both conditions better as the common cat cold, which is highly treatable and rarely life-threatening. Viral upper respiratory infections (herpes virus and/or calicivirus) are a common cause. Cats are highly intelligent animals and know what sounds to make to get what they want from their human owners. A low-pitched meow can indicate that your cat is unhappy or upset. Tumors of the vocal cord nerves work in a different way to those that grow against the tissue. As mucus builds up in the larynx, your cat may constantly clear his throat to dislodge the gunk and regain easier breathing. If you notice a temporary low-pitched meow coming from your cat, look for factors that may be upsetting it and try to deal with the cause. Cat with hoarse meow for laryngeal inflammation Cats can make a variety of sounds thanks to the muscles located in the larynx in combination with the air available outdoors. If your cat is prone to fighting with other animals, it’s more likely to develop a painful abscess that can become enlarged and interfere with the vocal cord function. Feline calicivirus can be unpleasant and often produces a raspy, hoarse meow as your cat fights off the infection. This includes hairballs. When the larynx muscles become inflamed and swollen, the cat may begin to meow strangely or even be unable to make the characteristic meow sound no matter how hard it tries to articulate its mouth to do so. Your cat might adopt a high-pitched meow to do exactly that. In most cases, the cat will exhibit other signs of a respiratory infection, such as runny eyes, snotty nose and lots of sneezing. It can also be caused by chronic coughing if it starts before the inflammation. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. However, more simply, your cat might be trying to make itself sound cute. By doing this, its chances of both attracting your attention and getting what it wants are increased. Less serious conditions like cat herpes or calicivirus, which is a virus that causes infection in cats, can easily alter the sound of a cat’s meow. Richard earned his degree in journalism in 2008. This can result in noisy breathing noisily and a deep, raspy meow. Pictures, videos, articles and questions featuring and about cats. Severe infections cause swelling that affects the nerves. Playing next. Afflictions include kidney disease, blood clots, or a problematic mental state caused by increased stress. This shows that a cat’s mental state has a big part to play in how it produces sound. why did my cat's meow suddenly get deeper than usual and has stayed that way permanently? Because laryngitis is painful for your cat, it can encourage your pet to gag in an attempt to eliminate the pain. These aren’t permanent meow sounds though; they’re used specifically to communicate with humans. Your cat will relish the chance to interact with you in this way. A traumatic physical injury could cause a change in your cat’s meow, too. Report. Probably the most common sound expressed by cats, the meow is almost entirely contained to communicating with humans, rather than other cats. If your cat has swallowed something that has become stuck in its throat, it will gag to try and remove the object from its body. But be rest assured that these issues are uncommon and only occur in extreme cases. Laryngeal paralysis is caused by poor nerve function or by damage to the structures of the larynx. While extremely rare, some cats also suffer from a birth defect where their vocal cords don’t develop properly. This can cause a cat to lose its voice. He’s like the Barry White of felines! They use their voice to get food, attention, or signal that they are leaving or entering a room. Most cat owners can tell the difference between a “let’s play” meow, an “I’m hungry” meow, and a “well, hello” meow. This means that if you meow at your cat, it…, Playtime is part of a daily routine for most cats. The sounds are usually quite subtle, however, so if your cat already has a naturally deep voice then it will appear even deeper. Tumors and cancer. Felines have carefully developed and engineered their meow to communicate with humans. Gagging can be a serious cause for concern. Oftentimes, excessive meowing or yowling can be one of the first signs of a disease. I'm Richard, the lead writer for Senior Cat Wellness. In a study reported by PeerJ, meows produced by stressed cats were recorded at a low average pitch. At least that’s what Jack’s vet told him. Brachycephalic and flat-faced cats, like Persians, are more prone to upper respiratory infections because of their facial structure. Nerves control your cat’s vocal folds. Tumors and cancer. Any abnormalities of those nerves can prevent the larynx from opening properly, changing your cat’s voice. Your cat’s meow will change as a result and will need to undergo urgent veterinary treatment to fix. Whether cats have sustained injuries of the nerve or develop a disorder that causes the muscle to waste away, a cat’s meow will either change or stop. The second is because damage has been sustained to the throat or larynx. Your cat has stopped meowing all of a sudden. Why doesn’t my cat meow? Monitor your cat’s meow for any changes in sound that concerns you – instinct can be a powerful tool. It’s caused by damage to the larynx or poor nerve function of the nerves that control your cat’s vocal cords. The first is because the cat is in pain, so it will develop a high-pitched meow to alert its owner that something is wrong. A kitten's vocals are smaller and get bigger as they grow.... causing their meow the get deeper and deeper. With a neck injury, there are two reasons why a cat’s meow might change. Squeaky, bird-like meows are used by mother cats when teaching her kittens to pay attention. If your cat’s meow sounds generally off, something might be affecting your cat’s voice and it might need immediate attention. These types of cats need to monitored closely for any signs of a changing meow, as it could indicate a medical problem. As mentioned previously, full-grown cats don’t usually meow at each other. Surgery is normally required to repair the level of sound. Cats use meows to let us know when they want us to open a door for them, feed them, play with them, pick them up, give them a treat, scratch … I think the meow depends on the breed, more than the sex of the cat - typically Oriental breeds have lower-pitched meows than European and North American breeds. They can cause changes to a cat’s meow if the hairball gets stuck in the throat or is large enough to obstruct the airways. Feline herpes infections cause the same symptoms as other upper respiratory infections, including watery eyes and nose, sneezing and congestion. In other words, responding to you with a meow is a cats way of showing you that they want to communicate with you – even if they may not be able to successfully do so.. Of course, kitty communication is much more complex than that – and today we’re going to delve a little deeper into the world feline communication. Seems to be eating normally. Muscle disorders or damage. Hope that makes sense. He is the proud owner of 5 adult cats (all adopted strays), including a senior cat who is now 20. Autoimmune conditions. The upper respiratory infection symptoms may cause a raspy, hoarse meow. Veterinarian's Assistant: I'll do all I can to help. This mass is benign but will cause pressure to build on the larynx, resulting in a slight change to the sound your cat makes. If your cat makes a deep, guttural sound, there could be a … For your cat to express fondness for you physically…, Cats are secretive about their toilet habits as this is a vulnerable time for them. National Center or Biotechnology Information, cat is manipulating the sound of its meow. Common reasons why your cat experiences voice changes. This is called the ventricular cords. Cats have two vocal cords, which are also known as the larynx. Related: 6 Cat Meow Sounds and What They Mean A new app, MeowTalk , will translate your cat’s vocabulary – namely meows, but also purrs and hissing – into human words. 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