Introduction
Has your adorable feline companion recently added a new sound to their repertoire – a squeak? This unexpected vocalization might have piqued your interest. It’s different, it’s unique, and naturally, you’re intrigued and perhaps a tad worried about what it signifies.
Cats are renowned for their wide array of sounds, from the familiar meows and purrs to the less common hisses and growls.
But a squeak? That’s a novelty. Is it just another charming idiosyncrasy of your cherished pet, or could it hint at something more serious?
In this article, we’ll delve into the potential reasons behind your cat’s squeaking and offer some advice on when it might be prudent to seek a veterinarian’s opinion.
Decoding Your Cat’s Squeaks
While squeaking can sometimes be a red flag that your cat isn’t feeling their best, it’s important not to jump to conclusions. Cats can make a variety of sounds for many reasons, and not all of them are cause for concern. However, if the squeaking is persistent or accompanied by other unusual behaviors, it’s always a good idea to consult a vet to ensure your cat’s well-being. We’ll be looking at why cats squeak.
Looking at Body Language Alongside Squeaks
When trying to figure out why your cat is squeaking, it’s also helpful to watch their body language. Cats show their feelings through both sounds and physical signs.
For example, if your cat is squeaking and their tail is puffed up and ears are flat, they might be scared or angry. On the other hand, if your cat’s body looks relaxed, their tail is up, and their ears are forward, their squeaks could be signs of happiness or excitement.
By paying attention to both the sounds your cat makes and their body language, you’ll get a fuller understanding of what they’re trying to communicate.
How Cat Breeds Influence Squeaking
Did you know that some cat breeds are more talkative than others? Take Siamese cats, for example, they’re famous for their chatty nature! If your cat is from a breed known for being vocal, their squeaks might just be a normal part of their behavior.
It’s a good idea to learn about your cat’s breed to see if they’re known for being talkative. This can help you understand why your cat squeaks the way they do. For instance, a study by D. Wells and Louise J McDowell found that the paw preference of a cat could indicate its emotional reactivity, which might be linked to its vocal tendencies. So, the more you know about your cat’s breed, the better you can understand their squeaks!
“Laterality as a Tool for Assessing Breed Differences in Emotional Reactivity in the Domestic Cat, Felis silvestris catus” by D. Wells and Louise J McDowell, published in 2019. (Full Text is on the Open Access link)
This article talks about how different types of cats can have very different emotional responses, and this can affect how they get along with their owners. The study suggests that which paw a cat likes to use more might be a good way to understand a cat’s emotions, and this could give us clues about specific cat breeds.
This information could be really helpful for anyone thinking about getting a new cat and could lead to better relationships between cats and their owners. This could also indirectly help improve the well-being of cats.
Your relationship with your cat is at the heart of the solutions. If you can understand and respond to him in a more informed way he’s more likely to benefit from your interaction. Remember we are all a work in progress and the fact you’re reading this means you’re making progress.
Possible Reasons for Your Cat’s Squeaks
- Communication: Cats have a rich vocabulary of sounds they use to communicate. A squeaking sound might be a unique way your cat is trying to express their feelings to you. It could be a sign of excitement, contentment, or even frustration.
- Playfulness: Cats often make different sounds when they’re engrossed in play. If your cat is squeaking during their playtime, it might be a way of expressing their joy or excitement.
- Hunting Behavior: Cats can make a variety of noises, including squeaking or chattering, when they’re observing birds or other prey. This is thought to be a part of their instinctual hunting behavior.
- Health issues: If your cat’s squeaking seems to be associated with discomfort, difficulty breathing, eating, or other changes in behavior, it could be a sign of a health problem. For example, respiratory issues, dental problems, or other medical conditions could potentially cause a cat to make unusual noises.
Health Concerns:
If your cat has started squeaking recently, or if the squeaking is accompanied by other signs of illness (like changes in eating habits, seeming tired all the time, or changes in how they use the litter box), it could be a sign that they’re not feeling well.
Problems with breathing, dental issues, or other health problems could potentially cause a cat to make unusual noises.
Understand Your Cat Better
A study by Lauren R Finka and her team in 2019 gives us a new way to understand what our cats might be feeling. The researchers found a way to measure changes in a cat’s face, especially when they’re in pain.
This method takes into account that every cat’s face is a little different, and that their expressions can change depending on what they’re doing. The study found that when a cat is in more pain, their face changes in ways that we can measure. This tells us that it’s important to pay attention to not just the sounds our cats make, but also the expressions on their faces.
These can give us important clues about whether they’re feeling good or if they might be sick.
If you’re worried about the squeaking noises your cat is making, especially if this is a new behavior or if it’s accompanied by other signs of illness, it’s important to talk to a vet. They can check your cat and potentially find any underlying health issues that might be causing the noise.
Common reasons for squeaky noises in cats include allergies and ear infections.
Other potential causes include:
- Feline leukemia (a type of cancer in cats)
- Stress
- Not finishing meals (which could mean they have stomach problems)
- Tumors in the brain or spine
If you think your cat might have one of these conditions, it’s very important to take them to a vet for a check-up and potential treatment plan. Other common conditions that cats can develop include Addison’s disease, anal sac impaction, bladder stones, Cushing’s syndrome, hyperthyroidism, and lymphoma.
Is Squeaking a Sign of Illness in Cats?
If your cat has been making unusual noises for more than a few days, it might be time to start considering their health. If there is wheezing and panting involved, this could be a sign that things are serious, and you should immediately contact your vet.
If the noises seem to be originating not just from the mouth but also from the chest area, there is a good chance that your cat is unwell and needs medical attention.
What to Do if Your Cat is Squeaking?
If your cat is making strange noises and squeaking, it may or may not indicate that they are experiencing an illness.
If you are really worried, as mentioned before, your best bet is to take your cat to the vet. In addition to examining them for medical issues, the vet might order blood tests, X-rays, or ultrasounds to check for any problems.
While medical issues can cause unusual noises, there are also non-medical strategies that can help.
Using a Cat Shelfie to Calm Your Cat
If you don’t see any medical problems with your cat, try using a shelfie. This device helps cats stay calm by giving them a place to rest instead of having them dash around. Place a shelfie at the edge of your cat’s bed or the foot so it can lie down in peace and see if it stops the noise-making.
Check The Cat’s Temperature
Checking the cat’s temperature is another way to determine if they are sick or not. A low temperature might be due to hypothermia or sepsis, while high temperatures could be indicative of something more severe like leukemia or infection.
If there are signs of drool, coughing or sneezing, they may have had a recent respiratory infection. It’s recommended to make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible to get a definitive diagnosis.
Check Your Cat’s Weight
When checking a cat’s weight, it’s essential to consider its size and activity level. Cats that are underweight or have an increased number of sick days may indicate an illness. Additionally, cats acting strangely or making strange noises could also indicate a health problem related to their weight.
Check The Cat’s General Appearance
Some cats not feeling well may look or behave differently. They might sit hunched up with their tail tucked, have a cross-eyed expression, unusually carry their neck or maintain a furrowed brow.
If your cat is dehydrated, the skin near its shoulder blades may not return to place quickly when you pull it back. You can test this by gently grabbing some skin in that area and pulling it up, away from the body. Release and watch to see if it pops back.
The skin should snap back into place almost immediately after touching – skin that does not snap back into place but instead stays ‘tented up’ usually indicates dehydration. This condition needs to be dealt with straight away.
Animals with chronic health problems can lose weight slowly and subtly. A veterinarian should check your pet if you notice they’re starting to lose weight.
If your cat suddenly loses weight, it may indicate a health problem that needs urgent attention. This can be caused by different things, including diabetes and thyroid problems.
Check The Cat’s Balance
To rule out any potential health problems, it’s important to check the cat’s balance – mainly if they aren’t eating or drinking as usual. Your cat may have vestibular disease, giving it vertigo and dizziness.
If your cat displays the following symptoms that suggest they may have the vestibular disease:
- Noises
- Head-shaking
- In constant motion or dizziness and b ehaving like it has symptoms of lightheadedness
This may be due to another condition such as an inner ear infection or head trauma.
To diagnose him, you will need to visit a vet who can perform a physical exam on your cat. We recommend getting a detailed account of the cat’s medical history and current signs before proceeding.
Veterinarians might run several tests to check for the underlying cause of your cat’s balance loss or to rule out any other conditions.
Tests might include blood, urine and ear cultures. For example, it’s possible that your cat may have sustained an injury, a spinal injury, or even an infectious disease (all of which could be causing the balance loss).
The tests can help us determine and ensure it is not a more severe condition.
Is Your Cat Shedding More Than Usual?
A decrease in self-grooming habits could be a sign that your cat isn’t feeling their best.
This can lead to a coat that appears dirty and greasy, with hair that’s matted or clumpy. Sometimes, you may notice that the coat starts losing its shine or becomes heavier with dandruff. You may even see blood where the cat has been overgrooming.
Cats grooming excessively may also have problems, such as allergies, fleas, mites or ringworm.
This can be a reaction to pain in their joints or bladder discomfort. Some cats over-groom all over their bodies, while others may over-groom in certain areas, such as the stomach or back.
Over-grooming can cause bald spots and give them sore or itchy skin.
Aging and Vocalizations
Just like humans, cats can experience changes in their behavior as they age. One such change could be an increase in the sounds they make, including squeaking.
This could be due to a condition known as cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), which is similar to Alzheimer’s in humans. CDS can cause a cat to feel confused or anxious, which might make them vocalize more.
Research has shown that more than half of cats between 15 and 25 years old showed at least one sign of CDS, and one of those signs can be increased vocalization.
A study titled “Neuropathology of Aging in Cats and its Similarities to Human Alzheimer’s Disease” discusses how aging pet cats can spontaneously develop conditions similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans.
Another study suggests that feline cognitive dysfunction can be researched in trials that could be simultaneously clinical trials for cats and preclinical trials for humans.
So, if your older cat starts squeaking more than usual, it’s a good idea to talk to your vet. They can check your cat for signs of cognitive dysfunction and other age-related health problems.
Understanding your cat’s behavior can help you provide the best care for them at all ages.
Behavioral Training to Modify Vocalizations
If your cat’s squeaking becomes too much and starts to bother you or your family, there are ways to help your cat quiet down a bit.
This doesn’t mean stopping them from communicating completely. It’s more about teaching them when it’s okay to make noise and when it’s not.
Behaviorists have come up with several techniques to help with this.
One such technique is to ignore the cat when it starts squeaking for no apparent reason. By not responding, you’re teaching the cat that squeaking doesn’t always get your attention.
It’s important, though, to reward quiet behavior with affection or treats, reinforcing the idea that being quiet can also get your attention.
Another technique is using distraction. When the cat starts squeaking, divert its attention with a toy or activity it likes. This helps to associate quiet time with fun and enjoyment.
Interestingly, a study titled “Semi-Automated Training of Rat Ultrasonic Vocalizations” discusses a semi-automated method for training rats to increase their rate of vocalization production.
While this study is about rats, some of the principles might be applicable to cats as well. This research suggests that with the right training and reinforcement, it might be possible to influence the frequency and context of your cat’s vocalizations.
But remember, it’s always important to consult with a vet or a professional cat behaviorist before starting any kind of behavior modification program. They can provide more specific techniques based on your cat’s personality and needs.
They can also help interpret and apply relevant research findings, like those from the rat vocalization study, to your cat’s specific situation.
Conclusion
Deciphering your cat’s squeaks and sounds is not only an intriguing part of being a cat owner, but it’s also vital for their health.
Each cat is unique, and their squeaks can mean different things.
If you notice a sudden change in your cat’s vocalizations or an increase in noise, it’s recommended to consult with your vet. They can help determine if your cat is simply being expressive or if there’s a health concern.
Always be attentive to your cat’s needs and remember that their vocalizations are a part of their unique charm. If you observe any changes in their behavior or appearance that concern you, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice. After all, ensuring your cat’s health and happiness is the ultimate goal.
Citations
Wells, D. L., & McDowell, L. J. (2019). Laterality as a tool for assessing Breed differences in emotional reactivity in the domestic cat, Felis silvestris catus. Animals, 9(9), 647.
Sordo, L., Martini, A. C., Houston, E. F., Head, E., & Gunn-Moore, D. (2021). Neuropathology of aging in cats and its similarities to human Alzheimer’s disease. Frontiers in Aging, 2, 684607.
Zadik-Weiss, L., Ritter, S., Hermush, V., Asher, N., Avital, A., & Or, R. (2020). Feline cognitive dysfunction as a model for Alzheimer’s disease in the research of CBD as a potential treatment—a narrative review. Journal of Cannabis Research, 2(1), 1-6.
