Why Do Cats Chirp in General?

If you have a cat that loves birds and watching them through the window, then you surely have heard her chirp. Most cats will start to chirp slowly right after they focus on their prey, their eyes widen, and they flick their tails. Chirping is a very unusual sound for a cat. It is also called chattering and isn’t the typical meow you hear from your feline pet. Some cats rarely chirp and some don’t chirp at all, so it’s not unusual for a cat owner to not hear their cat chirp at all. If you’re lucky enough to have a chirping cat, then you might be wondering what is the reasoning behind these weird sounds. So what do these noises mean and why do cats chirp in general?

Why do cats chirp?

Of course, as cats have no way of saying what they think or feel, many of the cat’s behaviors are still a mystery to us humans. Even so, we can understand that most of the time, a cat will chirp out of excitement.

You might also like my articles on why cats stick their tongues out, why cats don’t stop meowing, and how long cats hold grudges.

The cat’s body language is what gives away her excitement while chirping. Most of the time, the cat will have her head stretched way out while trying to see something better, while the eyes will be focused on that thing and very wide. Some cats might even crouch down, tense their bodies, and flick their tails as well. All of this requires a lot of focus from the animal.

If instead of chirping at birds, your cat actually chirps at you, then it might be her way of trying to get your attention or to simply greet you. Although the animal will usually be just as focused and eager as when seeing birds, she will instead be very relaxed, walking all around you and even rubbing her body against yours. If you usually give her a treat when she chirps at you she’ll eventually learn to chirp for treats.

How to notice when your cat is chirping

When your cat will chirp, she will make a noise very similar to the ones made by birds. These sounds seem to come from the back of the animal’s throat and will be a short series of trills and peeps. This chirping will either be made with an open mouth or with the mouth just barely open.

Although the actual sound a cat does during chirping might differ, it will usually be comprised of a series of sounds that are directed at either a toy, a bird, or even you. Although chirping isn’t as loud as other sounds a cat might make, the fact that it is so unusual makes it more likely to catch your attention.

What should you do when your cat is chirping?

If the cat is directly chirping at you, then you should try to understand what the pet wants from you. She might need your attention, a pat, or even food, but regardless of what it is, as soon as she gets it, you’ll probably be rewarded with purring and affection. If you don’t know for sure what the pet wants, just try to react in a few different ways and satisfy some of her most important needs, you will figure out, at some point, what was she chirping about.

If instead of chirping at you your cat chooses to chirp at birds, then this is usually a sign of her frustration that she can’t get outside to play with them or hunt them. There are even cats that will stalk and even pounce at prey through the window, making for some really funny videos and memes.

Of course, cats have a hunter’s heart so not being able to hunt as they’d do in the wild can be very frustrating when they are grown indoors, so the best thing you can do is to find some ways in which the pet can mimic hunting inside. Your cat might do some sort of actions that resemble hunting if you give her toys of different textures, squeaks, or movements. Your cat will also get a decent workout and will stay entertained and healthy if you give her a toy on a string to play with. Even getting her a playmate, like another cat, can give it a great way to get the needed exercise.

Keep in mind that it isn’t a bad thing if your cat starts chirping. It’s just a way for the pet to communicate regardless of whether she is communicating with you or the birds outside. Most of the time, a cat chirping will show its excitement or look for attention, but these noises are used to show all kinds of things. You will have to spend some time watching your cat, to get a better understanding of what’s behind each type of chirp.

You will understand your cat’s needs easier if you spend more time watching her chirp and looking for reasons behind these sounds.