Why Do Cats Scream?

The sound of a cat screaming can be alarming and is enough to frighten any cat owner. Screaming is a fairly uncommon behavior for most cats, but some cats do and will scream on occasion. Why do cats scream? There are a number of potential reasons.

Here are 5 Reasons Why Cats Scream:

1. Fear

One of the most common reasons that cats scream is because they are scared. If you’ve ever seen your cat truly frightened and fearful, then he may have screamed at the time. A new dog in the house, the threat of a bath, or being chased by an active toddler are all instances which could potentially cause your cat to scream.

Cats sometimes also scream out of anger. The most common occurrence of this is during a cat fight. Fighting cats often scream at each other, and this scream could be a mixture of both anger and fear.

2. Illness

Screaming can also indicate that your cat is very sick or in serious pain. Issues like urinary tract infections and kidney disease can be highly uncomfortable for your cat, and he may scream when he’s in discomfort.

3. Confusion

As cats age, they may begin screaming for reasons related to their aging. Sometimes cats exhibit symptoms of dementia in their late years, and when a cat gets confused he may scream in frustration or fright.

4. Hormones

Your cat’s hormones may also cause him to scream. Cats often scream when they’re searching for a mate. Female cats sometimes scream during different parts of their heat cycles. If your cat is not neutered or spayed but screams frequently, then neutering or spaying him may reduce the behavior.

5. Distress

Cats also scream when they’re distressed. If your cat is accidentally locked in a closet or other area that he can’t find his way out of, he may scream. Sometimes cats scream when they can’t reach a toy or a bit of food.

Dealing with Screaming

If your cat screams often, the first step in dealing with the issue is to try to determine the reason for his screaming. In some cases, the reason behind his screaming may be readily evident. But sometimes it’s not so easy to tell why your cat is screaming.

It’s always a good idea to bring your cat in for an appointment with the vet when trying to identify why your cat is screaming. Screaming is sometimes caused by physical issues, so having your cat examined can help to identify if these issues are present. If you suspect that your cat is screaming out of discomfort, then take him to the vet immediately.

You may be able to reduce your cat’s screaming by adjusting your home environment. Providing your cat with a secure space of his own can help to minimize fear-related screaming, and spaying or neutering your cat may reduce mating-related screaming. It may also help to consult a cat behaviorist for advice.