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. In reality, cats have a deeply nuanced system of communicating with each other and with the humans in their lives. Laryngeal paralysis is caused by poor nerve function or by damage to the structures of the larynx. Tumors involving the vocal cords and laryngeal paralysis can also cause your cat’s meow to change. Naturally, as a cat’s voice box weakens, its owner will likely notice some kind of change in sound. I'm Richard, the lead writer for Senior Cat Wellness. Fluid build-up and swelling is often a key part of laryngitis, which can obstruct the upper airway and prevent sound from coming out. Understanding the sound and tone of your cat’s meow can alert you to several things. There are health issues that can prompt excess meowing. Tumors and cancer. High-pitched meowing can indicate that your cat is in pain. Severe symptoms include eye ulcers, drooling, and lesions around the eyes. 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. This makes it quite difficult to tell when your cat is suffering from a sore throat. A traumatic physical injury could cause a change in your cat’s meow, too. Jack has a very rare form of laryngeal paralysis and his voice changed after his first surgery. "In more than 20 years as a house-call veterinarian, I’ve heard every kind of meow you can imagine," Levy says. Feline calicivirus is a common cause of upper respiratory infections in cats. This can cause irritation of the throat and a mild cough post-surgery. While damaged vocal cords usually result in impaired vibration and vocal power, they can in some circumstances cause a squeaky meow. If an animal’s white blood cells attack the nerves, the sound it makes will be affected as the nerve function becomes weaker and more diminished. The sounds are usually quite subtle, however, so if your cat already has a naturally deep voice then it will appear even deeper. Laryngeal paralysis is caused by poor nerve function or by damage to the structures of the larynx. 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. Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx. Instead of a meow, an affected kitten will only be able to let out a squeak. It’s actually quite rare for a hairball to get stuck in the throat as they pass through to the stomach quite easily. An abscess. Burgess holds a Bachelor of Arts in computer information systems from DeVry University and her certified nurses aid certification. 645 votes, 20 comments. There are several possible reasons for your cat’s change in voice. 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. They meow by creating vibrations of vocal cords or folds. For example, if your cat got trapped somewhere and found itself in distress, it may have called out for attention to get some 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. Cats have two vocal cords, which are also known as the larynx. If so, you might wonder why. A kitten's vocals are smaller and get bigger as they grow.... causing their meow the get deeper and deeper. Cat has a crazy deep meow. This malfunction of the muscles in the trachea, or “wind pipe,” causes your kitty to breathe noisily and have a deep, raspy-sounding meow. 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. There are many reasons why your cat’s meow might change from a chirpy, high-pitched sound to a hoarser tone. 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. This can affect a cat’s vocal cords and stop a cat from producing sound. By doing this, its chances of both attracting your attention and getting what it wants are increased. The meow is often a tell-tale sign – it will sound quieter, raspier, or thinner than usual. 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. Probably the most common sound expressed by cats, the meow is almost entirely contained to communicating with humans, rather than other cats. And because they struggle to hear, their meow might become more plaintive as they feel more distressed by their deteriorating functions. If your cat makes a deep, guttural sound, there could be a … Vocal strain from non-stop meowing or chronic cough could be to blame. Cats get sore throats. Based in northern New York, Brandy Burgess has been writing on pets, technical documentation and health resources since 2007. But on very rare occasions, a change in sound indicates that your cat needs treatment. Your cat’s meow will change as a result and will need to undergo urgent veterinary treatment to fix. But more often than not, it’s the sign of a common cold or a less serious respiratory infection. Feral kittens are young enough to learn to meow, but feral adult cats will not meow after being adopted. This is called the ventricular cords. Laryngitis also leads to chronic coughing and excessive vocalization – both of which will put a large strain on a cat’s vocal cords. 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. This can be painful and will cause a cat to gag and swallow hard, ultimately affecting the meow. Cats that have not been spayed may yowl because they are in heat. If you've tried to train your cat in the past and had no luck, this will work for you. Sometimes, your cat is manipulating the sound of its meow to get what it wants. They meow at humans for many reasons, and it is up to us as cat parents to try to understand our cats and figure out what they want. 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. These aren’t permanent meow sounds though; they’re used specifically to communicate with humans. This is a condition where the nerve that controls the vocal folds becomes damaged. This is what is likely to cause a change in your cat’s meow, with the sound becoming dry or hoarse. Feline calicivirus can be unpleasant and often produces a raspy, hoarse meow as your cat fights off the infection. If you've ever noticed how a kitten's meow is really shrill and high-pitched when a older cat's meow is deep and low-pitched. 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. 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 the low-pitched meow doesn’t seem to be going away, more serious issues could be at play. Cats with calicivirus may exhibit a number of symptoms, such as nasal congestion, sneezing and discharge from the eyes and nose. It can also be caused by chronic coughing if it starts before the inflammation. 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. However, more simply, your cat might be trying to make itself sound cute. Cat's Meow: A Fur-Ever Veterinary Romance - Kindle edition by Malone, Cara. 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. 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. It makes an irritating noise and damages the window. Because the immune system is weakened, cats with feline herpes are at risk for developing secondary infections. Felines have carefully developed and engineered their meow to communicate with humans. They use their voice to get food, attention, or signal that they are leaving or entering a room. It regulates the metabolic rate but can produce too much of the thyroid hormone if a growth occurs on the gland. Tumors of the throat, throat infections, pneumonia, allergies and tonsillitis can also cause laryngitis. Meows can be made when nerve signals from the brain are sent to nerves in the larynx. 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. A cat will also change its meow to manipulate its owners. Cats can be trained to do just about anything, and it's easy to bond with them in new, deeper ways if you know how. Cats who were discontent produced even lower-pitched meows. Tumors and cancer. If it has been hit by a car, broken its leg, or injured itself from a fall, it could have sustained serious injuries that it is trying to hide from you. Hyperthyroidism & Hind Limb Weakness in Cats→. 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. Pictures, videos, articles and questions featuring and about cats. A. So Why is my cat howling? Cat has a crazy deep meow. Browse more videos. As mentioned previously, full-grown cats don’t usually meow at each other. 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. 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. why did my cat's meow suddenly get deeper than usual and has stayed that way permanently? Gagging can be a serious cause for concern. A meow is one of the most common and recognizable features of a cat. He’s like the Barry White of felines! A cat’s vocal ford cords also feature an additional membrane used for purring. Infections. These types of cats need to monitored closely for any signs of a changing meow, as it could indicate a medical problem. The second is because damage has been sustained to the throat or larynx. Monitor your cat’s meow for any changes in sound that concerns you – instinct can be a powerful tool. 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. This system is 100% guaranteed to work for you. 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