What kinds of noises do cats make?

Cats communicate with meows, hisses, purrs, yowls and growls. A kitten meows to call its mother, but adult cats tend to use the meow almost exclusively to communicate with humans, instead of other cats. A female cat in heat yowls, or caterwauls, to attract a mate.

The purr usually means that the cat is contented, but the it may use the purr to comfort itself when hurt or ill. A growl is typically the first warning that the cat is frightened or angry, followed by hisses if the irritating stimulus does not retreat. With a modified yowl, or scream, the cat signals that a serious fight is imminent.