Why Does Cat’s Meow Sound Like a Baby Crying?

Cats‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ are very quick to figure out the sounds that bring back the fastest reaction from people. One of the noises that imitates a baby's crying and is therefore very disturbing might be your cat's usage to get kind of noticed; that is, if they want something like food, love, or help. Usually, this vocalization is their way of expressing that they are being left out or that they are ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌lonely.




One‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ of the most typical causes would be hunger. Certain cats will bring up a very shrill and almost tearful meow right before their meal. They are aware that this particular sound will make you get the food out to them faster. So if the meowing with crying is happening almost exclusively around the time of feeding, then this is probably the ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌reason.



If‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ a cat is in a stressful situation or it is scared, it can also fake crying. Unusual vocalization can be a result of changes in the surroundings that include new pets, guests, moving home, or even loud noises. Probably, with such an annoying meowing sound, they are telling you that they don’t feel comfortable and they want to be ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌reassured.


Sometimes,‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ a meow that sounds like crying might be an indication that a cat is hurting. Any animal that experiences pain or discomfort may in general produce peculiar and anguished sounds, and in this case, vocal sounds. If fearful meowing happens regularly and abruptly and is also accompanied by behavioral changes (hiding, no appetite, and aggression), then it is better to see a ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌vet.


An‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ unspayed female cat in heat will often cry very loudly and in a very dramatic manner. The sound of these cries is very close to that of a human baby. Such noises are a part of their mating call, and hence, the cat can do this for several days. If your cat is not spayed and she is making an unusual amount of noise, then probably these are the cries of a female in ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌heat.


Some‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ cats, for example, Siamese and Oriental cats, which are vocal by nature, are also known to produce human-like sounds. Typically, their meows are louder, sharper, and more emotional as compared to other cats. Due to this highly expressive nature, their sounds can very much be like a cry, a whine, or even a form of ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌speech.


One‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ of these is a meow of a cat that mimics a baby cry and is actually just their mode of communication with you. Possibly, they could be hungry, frightened, wanting company, or even sick. Try to figure out the time and the frequency of this noise to get them better. If by any chance you are not sure, then it is definitely a good idea to be certain about the health of your feline by taking her to the ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌vet.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do cat meows mimic baby cries?
   Some may develop a meow that sounds suspiciously like a baby crying
2. Why does my cat sound like a kid crying?
   To communicate hunger, attention, mating behavior, discomfort, or confusion
3. Why does a cat cry like a baby at night?
   Most commonly because they are seeking attention or are experiencing boredom