There’s plenty of reasons why cats are the second most popular pet in the world. With personalities that range from being affectionate, playful, somewhat demanding, picky, curious and much more. Cats may also exhibit several quirky behaviors that leave us scratching our heads in wonder, like the way they knead blankets and pillows or how they are all affectionate and loving one second but soon may get a sensory overload or even bite and scratch if you haven’t learned how to read their body language. One of the strangest behaviors you are likely to see from your cat is a strange chattering sound that they make when looking at birds outside.
If you have noticed this behavior in your cat, keep reading while we look at some of the most likely reasons behind it to help you understand your cat better.
What Is Cat Chattering?
Chattering is when your cat makes a strange, sometimes almost mouse-like squeaking sound or clicking sound combined with soft vocalisation and rapid opening and closing of the mouth. It’s a distinctive sound that you will instantly recognize after you hear it the first time. Though, if you are not expecting it, the strange sound can startle you into thinking something is wrong.
If you have never heard it, check out this video from The Adventures of Mojo and Scout.
When Do Cats Chatter?
The cat chatters this article discusses typically occur when the cat is looking at a bird outside the window. However, they may also chatter at squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits that they can see too. Inside the house, you might hear this sound if there is an insect on the ceiling or an area the cat can see but can’t reach. The laser pen also makes several of our cats start chattering. The sound is often expressed in excitement and part frustration for not being able to reach the prey producing it.
The 6 Main Reasons Why Cats Chatter at Birds
1. They’re Frustrated
You will likely notice that your cat only tends to make the chattering sound when they cannot catch the target. The cat sees its prey and knows it is within range, but some object or force blocks their path. Since they cannot take down the prey, they’re likely frustrated, especially as the birds carry on day after day, paying little attention to the cat.
2. It’s a Predator Mechanism
Some people believe that the rapid movement of the jaw may actually resemble the kill bite or it might be an instinctive anticipatory action they cannot control from all the excitement. Without further research, unfortunately we cannot know for sure.
3. Mimicry
Some owners anecdotally suggest that the cat may be performing a type of mimicry to attract the birds. It might sound crazy, but scientists have observed the house cat’s larger relatives, the Margay, mimicking the sound of monkeys to lure them into a trap. Many people believe that if one cat can do it, they all possess some inherent ability to do the same, but there is no research available to confirm or deny this theory.
4. They’re Excited
Your cat may be excited and suffering from overstimulation when they see several birds on a nearby rooftop, and the chatter and noise are simply a result of that. Humans laugh, cry, yell, talk nervously, and have all kinds of changes in behavior due to an external stimulus, and your cat is undergoing something similar.
5. They’re Letting Others Know They Found Something
Some people may believe that the cat could be making the chattering sound to let other cats know about potential prey, but there is no scientific basis for this theory. Some owners point out that if you mimic the chattering sound, your cat will usually come running to see what you are doing, but it’s not believed that chattering is a means for cats to communicate between themselves, rather a way to express their excitement, frustration or predatory instinct.
6. Adrenalin
The chattering sound could be a response to adrenalin that starts pumping when the cat sees something within range. Many humans start to shake uncontrollably when they are overly excited, and the chattering your cat makes can be something similar. Your cat probably doesn’t chatter in a real hunt because the prey is within reach.
Is Chattering Bad for My Cat?
We have never seen any cats suffer any ill effects from the chattering. Once the bird or other antagonist moves on, the cat will return to normal. The cat may also move on in a few minutes and change positions to no longer see the birds.
Summary
As you can see, there are several reasons why your cat might be chattering. Unfortunately, no one can ask the cat to be sure, but we believe it has to do with frustration and excitement. It’s true that it most often occurs when the cat sees something they can’t get, so it’s most likely related to that.Â
We hope you have enjoyed reading over this guide and have learned something new. If we have helped you understand your cat better, please share our look into why cats chatter at birds on Facebook and Twitter.
Looking for more cat behavior? Check out:
Featured Image Credit: Alexas_Fotos, Pixabay
What Is Cat Chattering?
