The cat activation noise means your cat is:
- Excited to see you
- Seeking attention
- Inviting you to play
- Happy that you are petting it
Trilling is also used by a mother cat to make her kittens follow her.
A cat can make the activation sound when about to jump, or as kittens when they realize they can play with something.
The cat’s makeup is a strange thing. Some cats have special sounds they produce when you pick them up, or poke them a bit when playing.
Your cat makes a lot of noises, but there is a particular sound we are going to discuss today.
Whenever you touch your cat or startle it from its sleep, it always makes this noise, sometimes referred to as the cat activation noise.
Perhaps you refer to it as a trill. You can also hear this sound when you get home, and your cat greets you with that special noise.
This article will explain all about the cat activation sound, and its meaning.
Trilling is a Positive Sound
The scene happens every day. You get home from work, and when you touch your cat, it greets you with the sound “rrrooow, or brrrrrr”.
Trilling is a high-pitched chirp-like noise that cats produce when greeting other people, or cats.
It is like the feeling you would have when you spot your friend in a public place.
The sound is often associated with a positive welcoming vibe. Cats trill when they want their human owners to pay attention to them. Especially if the cat is the kind that loves the spotlight, and to hang around people.
As your cat trills, it will rub itself on your legs, head-butt, or sit on your laps. The amount of trilling varies depending on the cat’s personality.
Some cats are shy, and will not trill that much as those with more extroverted personalities. Shy cats find it hard to express their emotions.
Some breeds are more likely to trill than others. The Siamese, Maine coon, and Scottish Fold breeds are known to be vocal or talkative, and will trill more.
If your cat trills as you pet or groom it, it means they like what you are doing, and don’t want you to stop.
Reasons Why Your Cat Trills
Cats are expressive animals who like to communicate with their fellow cats, as well as their human owners. They use vocalizations to express themselves, and their needs.
The cat activation noise, also known as a trill, is one way your cat expresses how it feels. Though it sounds unusual, it is simply a form of vocalization to give you an idea of their current mood.
The sound is produced with a closed mouth. Rather than expel the air, when your cat trills, it pushes air through its vocal cords.
It can be described as something between a meow and a purr.
Here are reasons why your cat trills:
1. Mother kitten connection
According to the Humane Society, cat trilling is how mama cat communicates with her kittens to get them to pay attention, or follow her.
This is because when kittens are very young, they rely on their mother’s trill to know when it’s feeding, or grooming time.
As a result, kittens learn this form of communication from an early age. That is why your cat has learned to use this trilling vocalization to greet you when you return from work, greet other cats, and seek attention from you.
2. A form of happiness
Adult cats trill as an expression of happiness or contentment. When your cat sees you after a long day from work, it’s happy.
When you pick it up, it will trill to show you how glad it is to see you. Trilling can also be a way of your cat telling you to pet them.
Your cat trills because they are excited to sit with you, or thrilled that you are about to offer their favorite food.
3. Attention seeking
If you find that your cat persistently trills at you, it may be their way of seeking attention. Perhaps they want you to pick them up, play with them, or serve them their favorite treats.
It may be an invitation for you to pet them, and spend some time together. If your cat trills while looking at you and walking away, they want you to follow them so they can show you something.
Excessive Trilling Means your Cat is Unwell
Generally, trilling is a positive sign from your cat. It means they are happy and comfortable in your company.
But you also need to pay closer attention to your cat’s trilling, especially when they are getting old.
Excessive trilling that is sudden can be a sign that your cat is in pain, injured or unwell. Take your cat to the vet to rule out any medical problems.
Other Noises Your cat Makes and their Meaning
A trill is not the only sound your cat makes. Our cats have a robust vocabulary of sounds they use to communicate with us, and each has its meaning.
You may already be familiar with meows, purrs, and hisses. There are also different kinds of meows.
1. Short-high pitched meows
Meowing comes in many various sounds, and each one means something different. Cats mainly meow to humans, and not to other cats.
A short-pitched meow is your cat’s way of saying hello to you. Perhaps they have not seen you for a whole day.
According to cat expert Susan Robin, several of these meows strung together mean your cat is happy, or excited to see you.
It can also be an invitation to play.
2. Crying meow
Just as the name suggests, a crying meow sounds more urgent, even with a little agony. Kittens produce a crying meow when they are in distress. They know the sound will elicit a quick response from their mama. It could be they are hungry, in which case the mother will rush to nurse them. If they have wandered from their nest, their mom will bring them back.
The same reaction is expected from you if your cat gives out a loud crying meow. Most of the time, it means they have a need to be met.
Of course, they can also do it because they really want something, such as a specific toy, some treats, or other things that are not real needs.
3. Drawn out meow
This is a meow that sounds like pleading. It is somewhere between a meow and a cry. This meow is used to get your attention.
It could mean that your cat wants to get out of the door, or wants to eat.
4. Hissing
A cat makes this noise if it was very angry, or wants to strike out. Your cat feels threatened, and is warning you that it is going to lash.
Hissing is not like a trill that shows your cat is happy. When you pet or groom your cat and it has had enough, it might hiss.
This is a sure sign that you need to stop what you are doing. Hissing can also be used to scare away predators.
How to Activate your Cat
It must be really exciting to hear the cat activation noise. It shows that your cat is happy and also ready to interact with you.
But as you bond with your cat, you also want to ensure is stays active.
Many cats can spend up to 85% of their day sleeping. Therefore, they don’t get opportunities to burn calories, and this can lead to overweight problems.
You can keep your feline friend healthy and physically active by getting them to be more active. In return, you get to hear that gentle rumbling from your cat to show you they are happy with what you are doing.
1. Play fetch
There are many games you can play with your furry friend, but the fetch game can be more effective in keeping them fit.
Perhaps you assume it can only work for dogs, but cats too love to fetch. Toss dry kibbles at a distance for your cat to fetch. This ensures you combine mealtime with exercise.
You can also use a laser pointer as part of your game. Running around the house trying to catch the pointer makes your cat physically active.
2. Use a scratching post
Cats have natural instincts to scratch. They do so to sharpen their claws, stretch, leave scent marks, and exercise. They need an outlet to satisfy their urge to scratch.
Provide your feline with a scratching post to promote climbing and increase activity. Choose a post with material made from corrugated cardboard, or sisal since these appeals to most cats.
Ensure the post is sturdy; you don’t want your cat to fall while using it.
3. Give them cat grass
Cats need to have access to a small amount of grass to chew. It aids digestion. You can have a small pot of grass indoors for your cat to occasionally nibble on.
Alternatively, you can also give them freshly picked grass once, or twice a week, if possible.
Specific cat grass makes your cat happy. For instance, some cat owners plant wheatgrass for their felines, and they say they can hear the trill as the cat chews on it.
This is a sure sign that the cat is happy consuming its greens.
4. Encourage interaction with the outer world
Teach your cat to walk outside to increase their activity level. Cats have a natural inclination to explore, and they will surely love this adventure. Indoor and outdoor cats alike can benefit from interacting with the world. Walking around the compound helps your cat burn calories.
