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Do Cats Meow Change As They Get Older – 5 Things To Know!

Do Cats Meow Change As They Get Older – 5 Things To Know!

Cats are known for their beautiful, often singing vocal tone. Their meow is their foundation when it comes to communication. However, cats won’t stay kittens forever, and it’s reasonable to wonder; do cat’s meow change as they get older?

Generally, a cat’s meow won’t change as they get older. Although a cat may meow and make other kinds of vocalizations more often as they age, the sound of the meow itself should not change in any way. The change in the sound of a cat’s meow can indicate an injury or illness in cats.

While a cats meowing tone may deepen as they age, it’s not normal for it to change and sound unrecognizable. As a result, you should always take your cat to the vet if the sound of their meow suddenly changes. We’ll discuss more facts about a cats meow, how their vocal cords work, and what you should expect as they age.

Can A Cat’s Voice Change

Yes, a cat’s voice can change. It can even change suddenly and seemingly out of the blue. However, this is not necessarily normal, and usually, the cause for a cat’s voice to suddenly change is an illness or injury that affects the throat. As a result, it is a good idea to take your cat to the vet as soon as possible if their meow suddenly changes or sounds strange. 

Is It Normal For A Cat’s Meow To Change

It is not normal for a cat’s meow to change, especially if it has changed drastically or sounds abnormal. Sudden changes in a cat’s meow can be caused by injuries to the larynx and vocal cords. Sometimes illnesses that cause a cat to have a sore throat can also cause a sudden hoarse meow. Other issues like a lack of cognitive functioning can also cause this.

In rare cases, issues like cancers or tumors impacting the vocal cords can be a cause of sudden changes in their meow. But again, the most common reason is injury, which cats are prone to due to their ability to scale high structures.

It is recommended that you take your cat to the vet if they have had a change in their meow, especially if the change was sudden. 

That being said, it is normal for a cat’s voice to change slightly when it comes to old age. Most cat owners report that their cat’s meow becomes more hoarse and weak sounding than before. Similarly, the cat’s meow may become louder if the elderly cat is hard of hearing. 

Why Does My Cat’s Meow Suddenly Sound Different

 It can be pretty alarming for cat owners to find that their cat’s meow suddenly sounds different. Unfortunately, a sudden change in meow is usually caused by an illness, injury, or medical condition. This is especially true if the meow is incredibly guttural or squeaky. Here are some conditions and illnesses in cats that could alter their meow. 

● An injury to the larynx, vocal cords, and other parts of the throat 

● Respiratory infections such as calicivirus 

● Tumors around the vocal cords 

● Blood clots 

● Kidney disease 

Sometimes sudden mental changes could slightly alter a cat’s meow. This will not make it sound necessarily highly abnormal, and it will likely just be different than your cat’s usual meow. Cats that are going through extreme stress or anxiety may have a change in their meow. Similarly, older cats may have a change in their meow due to an increase in anxiety and confusion that sometimes comes with old age in cats. 

At What Age Do Cats’ Voices Change

A cat’s voice may change twice in its life. This includes when a kitten ages into an adult cat and when an adult cat is getting older. A kitten’s meow is usually softer and higher pitched than an adult cat’s meow, and a kitten’s voice will usually change from that of a kitten’s to an adult cat’s meow at around six months of age.

Similarly, adult cats may develop a meow that is more hoarse sounding over time. Elderly cats may have a weaker meow or even a louder meow, depending on their personality and how good their hearing is. 

Do Cats Lose Their Meow As They Get Older

Technically, yes, cats do tend to lose their meow a bit as they age. This usually manifests as a hoarser and weaker meow than they had as a young adult cat. This can be thought of similarly as humans having voices that change slightly as we age. However, your cat’s meow should not be drastically different or gone altogether, even if your cat is getting on in years. This can be a sign of a severe problem that may require veterinary attention. 

Why Is My Cat Having A Hard Time Meowing

It is not normal for cats to struggle while meowing, and this is usually a sign that your cat has something abnormal going on. A cat struggling to meow could have an injury to its vocal cords or a medical condition that obstructs its vocal cords somehow. In addition to this, some cats may have a hard time meowing simply because they have a sore throat due to an infection or illness.

Whatever the cause may be, you should definitely take your cat to the vet immediately if they seem to be having difficulty with meowing. Here the vet will be able to diagnose the cause of your cat’s vocalization difficulties and set them up with an effective treatment plan. 

Things To Consider

There are some other things that you should consider when it comes to a cat’s meow changing as it gets older. This includes the question: do cats change their meow with their mood? Many cat owners will tell you that their cat has a wide range of vocalizations, but many still may be wondering what different meows mean. Here are some things to consider about cats changing their meow. 

Do Cats Change Their Meow With Their Mood

It is common and entirely normal for cats to have a range of meows that they will use in different situations. However, some new cat owners may still be wondering what these different meows and vocalizations mean. Here is a basic breakdown into the different cat vocalizations and what they mean.

A low meow may indicate that a cat is upset about something, while a higher-pitched meow can indicate happiness. Of course, we are talking about the occasional different meow here, and if your cat’s meow is consistently lower or higher than usual, then this can be a sign of a problem that requires a trip to the vet. In addition to this, it is essential to remember that every cat is different, and not every cat is going to have a high or low meow.