We know that cats make a lot of different noises, and one of the more intriguing (and odd ones) sounds is called the ‘trill’. Unlike a typical meow, the trill is a short, almost musical noise that can mean happiness, attention-seeking or a way of showing social bonding.
According to research, cats actually make 21 different sounds and noises to communicate and trilling is one of them. But what exactly does this sound mean? And why do cats trill at us or other felines?
Stop Googling - Ask a Real Vet
Content:
Why Is My Cat Trilling
One of the most common reasons cats trill is to show joy and affection. So, when your cat greets you with a trill, it's usually their way of saying they're happy to see you.
Dr. Meghan Herron, DVM, writes: “A trill is a vocalization used by a mother cat communicating with her kittens. It is also a positive vocalization heard during friendly interactions with people and other cats. A trill sounds like a ringtone meow or a question”.
This sound might also be a way of telling you that they want attention or food.
If you want to learn more about the different sounds your cats make, catching these moments through a Petcube Cam is a great way to learn even when you're away from home.
What Does Cat Trilling Sound Like
The trill is a rolling, almost chirpy sound that differs from meowing or purring. Cats tend to make this sound when they're particularly content or excited but the reason they do with humans varies between felines.
According to one Reddit user, their experience with trilling aligns with this sentiment:
“My cat trills a lot; it usually just means he wants something, mainly to play, eat, or use the litter box”.
This means that trilling is not just a random noise but part of a complex communication system that cats use with their trusted humans.
Another reddit user also notes that there are really a lot of different reasons that their cats may trill:
“Trilling is totally a fun playtime thing. My two cats do it to each other and chase around the house and always have since they were kittens. It’s also a poop time thing though lmao. My boy gets real excited to poop.”
Cat Trilling at Other Cats
Cats don’t just trill at humans; they also do it with other cats. In multi-cat households, they will also use the sound to signal that they want to play, greet each other, or even to look for comfort. It’s a friendly sound and it means your cats are bonding, which is great!
If you have more than one cat, using the Petcube Cam can help you see these social moments unfold in real time, helping you to make sure you know whether or not your cats get along.
Conclusion
Trilling is an absolutely adorable way for cats to communicate, whether it’s directed toward you or another cat. While they first do it with their kittens, they also do it with people to tell you they want something, greet you, or just to show affection. With other cats, it can mean they want to play or just have some bonding time.
Was this article helpful?
Help us make our articles even better
