Why Do Cats Hate Singing – Is It Normal Behavior?

You, like many of us, might enjoy singing whether or not you have an audience, and your cat usually makes up the audience. When you sing to your cat, you begin to notice that your cat doesn’t seem to like it. But, why do cats hate singing?

Cats hate singing because singing is often loud and at a volume that their ears are sensitive to. Singing can sometimes confuse cats. Cats may also associate singing tones with anxiety or past negative experiences.

Cats have compelling hearing, even if you may think their ears are small. They can even hear some of the quietest noises, so when you start singing loudly or playing music, your cat doesn’t like it because they are sensitive to the noise. You may or may not notice that sudden singing spooks your cat too! Stay tuned to learn why your cat isn’t the biggest fan of your singing. (Hint: It’s not because you can’t carry a tune!)

Reasons Cats Hate Singing

Although you might chalk your cat’s dislike of music up to just not being musically inclined, there are a few reasons why your cat may hate your singing. 

Singing Is Too Loud

Cats have sensitive ears, which means that loud singing could hurt their ears. You might enjoy singing as loud as you can, especially when you’re in a good mood, but it may not be your kitty’s favorite.

The Pitch of the Music Hurts Their Ears

The volume of music may hurt your cat’s ears, but the pitch can also be painful for your cat to listen to. Pitch and volume are a little different when it comes to music, but they can both adversely affect your cat’s enjoyment of singing. 

Singing Scares Your Cat

If you suddenly break out into song, you may end up startling your cat, which may make him dislike singing altogether. If you do it often, then your cat will never warm up to it. 

Your Cat Doesn’t Like the Singing

As simple as it may sound, your cat may just not like singing. This could be for a variety of reasons. For instance, your cat may like to sit in silence, or he may think you are constantly talking to or yelling at him. 

The Moving of Your Lips Bothers Your Cat

Now, your cat may hate singing because your cat doesn’t like to watch your lips move. My cat, in particular, gets anxious when he sees my lips moving too much and tries to attack my face! 

Does Singing Scare Cats

Singing can scare cats. If the singing starts suddenly, then singing can startle your cat.

Music and singing itself are not scary to cats. Cats aren’t naturally music adverse. Some people may suddenly start singing around cats, and the noise may startle your cat.

In the same respect, suddenly turning on the radio or the music on your phone can also scare your cat. Cats are sensitive to noises, so a loud noise can catch your cat off guard if he is not expecting it. 

Not singing or playing music loudly is a way to ensure that you do not suddenly scare your cat. 

Do Cats Like Human Singing

Cats do not like human singing as much as they like the sound of birds singing. 

If you’re up against a singing competition with a bird outside, the bird is going to win in your cat’s book. Humans sing with words and varied pitches that may not interest your cat at all.

Birds, on the other hand, tap into your cat’s instincts as an ancestral hunter. Your cat is domesticated and may never go outside, but he still has instincts that make him a hunter. Therefore, a bird’s song will – pun intended – be music to your cat’s ears. 

Do Cats Understand Singing

Cats do not understand the words that you sing.

While I can’t say whether or not cats can feel the emotion in your voice while you sing, it’s probably safe to say that your cat doesn’t understand singing. 

If you’re singing a song with some common words that cats often understand – like no, don’t jump, or food – then your cat may understand a few things that you’re saying. Since the words are used in a sentence that your cat doesn’t usually hear, your cat may not notice.

When your cat hears words that it usually knows, your cat usually connects it with your voice’s tone. For instance, if you tell your cat “no” when he’s about to jump up on the counter, your cat knows the tone of your voice. That tone most likely doesn’t come through when you’re singing. 

Why Does My Cat Rub Against Me When I Sing

Your cat rubs against you when you sing because they like the pitch of the sound of your singing.

Even though cats may not like singing because the pitch is too high, you can also sing in a way that your cat likes! You might not know precisely what pitch your cat likes best, but you can gauge how much your cat likes it by their reaction to your singing.

If your cat likes your singing, then you’ll notice that he will start to rub against you and even purr. Your cat is the unlikely audience that may listen to you while you sing, no matter how good or bad you are. 

Why Does My Cat Attack Me When I Sing

Cats may think that singing sounds like their prey might if it was hunting in the wild.

Many animals make high-pitched noises, especially smaller animals that are seen as prey. When cats were in the wild before they were domesticated, they went after some of these animals that made high-pitched noises.

Your singing may sound exactly like this to a cat. Your cat’s instincts may set in when the cat hears your singing, which may encourage them to attack you. Don’t worry, though. Your cat doesn’t mean to hurt you! 

Why Does My Cat Crawl On Me When I Sing

Your cat crawls onto you when you sing because he thinks you’re calling him, even though you’re just singing. 

While you may be practicing for your next solo concert, your cat doesn’t know any better. You may be singing your title song, but your cat doesn’t know that. If you may eye contact with your cat while singing, then your cat may assume that you’re giving him a call to come. 

If you’re sitting and signing, then it’s only natural that your cat comes running to crawl onto you. He’s just showing you some affection, even if he can’t compliment your singing!

Things To Consider

If you want to play music for your cat, you have some options to choose from.

Most songs have lyrics and singing, but many cats do not like singing, as we’ve already discussed. The pitch and volume could hurt your cat’s ears or scare them.

You may find some softer songs that your cat will enjoy, but choosing different kinds of music means that you’ll have to spend time figuring out what your cat does and doesn’t like. 

The best kind of music to play for your cat is instrumental. Even though you may hate classical music, classical music is soothing and at a pitch that won’t bother your cat’s ears.

The music is also steady, which means that sudden bridges or refrains won’t startle your cat. This kind of music is relaxing and may even make your cat fall asleep! 

Some people enjoy playing music for their cats while they’re out of the house, whether they are running errands or at work.

Many people believe that it makes your cats feel like they are not in a house alone. Play the music quietly in the background so that your cat can feel more comfortable and at ease until you get home.