Why Does My Cat Sound Like a Pigeon?

Sarah Mouton Dowdy
·4 min read
illustration of a cat cooing like a pigeon with what the fluff logo
illustration of a cat cooing like a pigeon with what the fluff logo

Grace Canaan

From a young age we're taught that cats simply say "meow." But as anyone with a cat knows, our feline friends can and do say so much more. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean we always know what they're trying to communicate, and if your cat is cooing like a pigeon or dove, you may feel especially stumped.

That's why we've asked Amelia Wieber, CPDT-KA, CCBC, FFCP-trainer, owner of Caring Behavior Animal Behavior Consulting in Frederick, Co., and a member of Daily Paws' Advisory Board, to help serve as a translator between cats and their humans.

How Cats Communicate

"If cats could text you back, they wouldn't."

While this joke contains a kibble of kitty truth, in reality, cats aren't stingy with communication. In fact, the American Association of Feline Practitioners notes that they use four different means to communicate:

Cat vocalizations that sound like pigeon coos thus belong to the incredibly rich auditory category. A 2019 review of the available literature found descriptions of 21 distinct feline vocalizations and hypothesized that the actual number is even greater. The review also noted that the vocal repertoire of the domestic cat has been described as being more developed and complex than that of any other carnivore, so your kitty's earned the right to act a bit smug from time to time.

Reasons Why Your Cat Sounds Like a Pigeon

That strangely incongruous sound your cat is making—like a pigeon or dove cooing—has a name: trilling. "To me, it sounds like a short, high-pitched hum with some vibration from the back of the cat's throat," Wieber explains. "It often sounds like it's punctuated with a question mark." When she attempts to mimic her cat's trilling, Wieber does a short rolling 'r,' or tongue vibration. "It's technically called an apical-alveolar trill when humans do it," she adds.

Now that we know the official term for those pigeon-like purrs, we can move on to translation. When and why do cats trill? According to Wieber, there are two main reasons behind this vibrant vocalization:

1. It's a Sign Your Cat is Happy

If your cat's trilling sounds friendly and inviting, that's because it probably is! "Cats trill when they are happily greeting one another or their human," Wieber explains. So if your cat trills when she sees you, you can probably think of it as a warm hello and enjoy the warm fuzzies that follow.

2. It's a Sign Your Cat Wants Your Attention

There's a good chance you've unknowingly been teaching your cat to trill by creating a positive feedback loop. That's because trilling can be an effective way for a cat to get her human's attention. "In my house, we almost always respond to feline trilling with our own trills," Wieber says. And once your cat has your attention, she's more likely to get what she really wants from you (e.g. petting, food, play), which only reinforces her trilling behavior. It's yet another reason for your cat to be smug about her communication prowess.

RELATED: Why Do Cats Wag Their Tails? Here's What Your Feline Is Trying to Tell You

Do All Cats Trill?

"It's my understanding that all cats with normal larynx function can trill," Wieber explains. "However, some cats trill more than others and the volume can vary." She has three cats who are all very vocal, but she calls her cat Moscow the king of trilling. "He trills when he enters a room, when he's soliciting petting, when he greets the other cats, and to himself when playing with a toy," Wieber continues. "Moscow is a very cuddly and social cat, so I see his trilling as an expression of his jovial nature."

If you've never heard your cat trill, Wieber doesn't see cause for alarm. "However, next time you greet your cat, feed them, or play with them, listen for their trill," she advises. "You likely just haven't noticed it yet."