My Cat Lost His Voice: 6 Vet-Approved Causes & Remedies

Cats can make all sorts of sounds to communicate, such as meowing, purring, and yowling. As a cat owner, it is important to be aware of how vocal your cat can be. When your cat becomes uncharacteristically quiet or has a hoarse meow, it’s important to pay close attention. It might have developed a health condition that needs examining.

Here are some causes and remedies for why your cat is not vocalizing as much as usual.

The 6 Reasons Cats Lose Their Voices

1. Overuse

Sometimes, your cat may have simply overused its voice. Similar to how humans can lose their voice from excessive use or yelling, cats can also get a hoarse voice. The best way to determine if your cat lost its voice due to overuse is if you can recall any recent occurrences of them yowling loudly.

2. Rabies

One of the symptoms of rabies is a hoarse voice. So, if your cat recently escaped the house or is an outdoor cat and returns with any wounds, there’s a possibility that it encountered a rabid animal. If your cat has rabies, they’ll also exhibit other symptoms:

• Changes in usual behavior
• Aggression
• Drooling or foaming at the mouth
• Muscle control loss

3. Hyperthyroidism

Older cats can develop hyperthyroidism. When the thyroid glands become overactive, they can cause your cat to have a hoarse meow. Here are other symptoms of hyperthyroidism:

• Weight loss
• Increased appetite
• Increased thirst
• Increase urination
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Unkempt coat

4. Laryngitis in Cats

Upper respiratory infections (URI) can often lead to laryngitis. Laryngitis in cats occurs when the larynx gets inflamed, making it painful for your cat to make a vocal sound. Along with a muted meow, cats with laryngitis can experience other symptoms:

• Wheezing
• Dry cough
• Runny nose
• Noisy breathing
• Bad breath
• Difficulty swallowing
• Panting
• Lethargy

5. Laryngeal Paralysis

Sometimes, nerve damage can occur in your cat’s larynx. Laryngeal paralysis can occur when the cartilage of the larynx doesn’t function normally while breathing. Along with losing their voice, your cat can also show these symptoms:

• Dry cough
• Voice change
• Noisy breathing
• Difficulty breathing
• Vomiting

6. Growths Near Vocal Cords

Sometimes, polyps or tumors can grow in the throat and cause cats to have a difficult time using their voices. Many symptoms that cats will show are caused by obstructions in their throats:

• Difficulty breathing
• Noisy breathing
• Bluish mucous membranes
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty ingesting food
• Lethargy
• Sudden collapse

How to Soothe a Cat’s Throat

Laryngitis in cats can be painful for cats. Fortunately, there are some things that you can do at home to make your cat feel more comfortable. First, you can use a humidifier to increase the moisture levels in a room. The humidity will help soothe a cat’s dry and itchy throat.

You can also temporarily feed your cat wet food so that it has an easier time eating. If your cat refuses to eat, you can try warming up the food. You can also try feeding your cat chicken broth or beef broth made specifically for pets.

Do Cats Become Quiet When They’re Depressed?

Cats can become depressed if they experience a loss or aren’t having their needs met. However, rather than becoming quieter, they tend to become more vocal. So, if your cat’s more chatty than usual, see if they're also showing other signs of depression:

• Decreased appetite
• Loss of interest in playing
• Less frequent self-grooming
• Increased sleeping
• Increased urination

Overall, if your cat has become quiet, it is not very likely that it is because they're depressed.

Final Thoughts

Cats can lose their voice for several reasons, and it is often because of an underlying condition. Therefore, if your cat loses its voice, make sure to closely monitor how they're doing for the next several days. If their voice slowly returns, you have nothing to worry about.

However, if you notice any additional symptoms or behavioral changes, make sure to work with your veterinarian to diagnose the cause and give helpful treatment to your cat as soon as possible.

Related Reads:

• Skinny Cat Breeds (With Pictures)

• How Do Cats Communicate With Each Other?

Featured Image Credit: Svetlbel, Pixabay