About the Silent Meow

From 101 Questions Your Cat Would Ask Its Vet If Your Cat Could Talk by Bruce Fogle

Cats have a hearing range, and a meow range, that is beyond the hearing range of humans. When a cat utters a 'silent meow' people don't respond because they just don't hear it. If they see the cat meow, they are enchanted and think the silent meow has been performed especially for them. They don't understand that the meow is silent only because their hearing is so limited. It is a perfectly good meow to any other cat.

I had no idea that our kitties were making a sound that we could not hear. It is always interesting to learn more about our amazing cats. Thanks

I had know idea either.. That is cool. Thanks again for posting - Keep them coming..

Spooky always do that, she would give silent meow, rarely use voice for meowing. I always thought it was cuz of age. I learn sumthing new.

that could explain why, when Buffy falls from somewhere high (like the handlebars of the treadmill), Willow comes from out of nowhere, practically huffing and puffing. She never comes when Buffy falls from somewhere else, and Buffy doesn't make a sound when she falls. Maybe she IS giving a high-pitched meow as she falls, which Willow can hear and I can't.

Willow very rarely meows (or, if she does, it's the silent type). When she does meow, Buffy always looks kinda disgruntled or mad, like she's hearing a strange cat meow, instead of the very-high-pitched-humans-can't-hear-it meow she's used to.

When Pepsi does the silent meow thing, she wants to be petted. It's so cute ...

Mooch is always making silent meows. I wasn't sure if they were really silent because I could see Noodles respond sometimes. Now I know!

Just for those whose cats don't do the Silent Meow and have never experienced it -- a Silent Meow is when the cat moves its lips like it's meowing, but you don't hear any sound.

Of my three cats, only Rocket does the Silent Meow.

Aww Quila does that all the time when i go to pet her when shes on the window sill. . .i just thought she was being lazy!!

I'm still enchanted.

Originally Posted by evnshawn

When Pepsi does the silent meow thing, she wants to be petted. It's so cute ...

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Same thing with Annabelle!

Milly has a variation on the silent meow, when she thinks I've kept her waiting for her tea for too long! She meows, but the 'ow' part of it is kind of cracked, as if she's saying, "Now look here Mum, I'm so hungry I can't even meow properly."

Sue