Solving The Mystery Behind A Cat’s Clicking Noise

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Have I ever told you how amazing creatures our lovely cats are? Here’s another way to discover it! Besides their different appearances, personality types, and similar things, our cats are very special in the way they communicate.

Can you believe that cats can produce over 60 different sounds? Amazing, isn’t it? 

Well, one of these sounds is a cat clicking noise which is very unique and interesting, and it is believed that cats produce this sound for certain reasons.

Read on to learn more, and let’s solve the mystery behind the cat clicking noise together!

The Origin Of Cat Clicking Noise

Before I start explaining the origin of cat clicking noise, here’s a short video that can show you what cat clicking sounds like!

Cats produce different sounds and use their body language in order to communicate with humans or other animals. Because of that, it’s highly important for cat owners to know the meaning behind most of these sounds and behaviors.

If you have ever heard your kitty producing a clicking noise, especially while looking through the window, then you’re in the right place.

According to beliefs, the origin of the cat clicking noise derives from kittenhood, and it’s actually a mother cat’s way of calling her kittens, or the kittens’ way of getting their mother’s attention.

Therefore, a cat clicking sound is considered to be a completely normal part of cat communication, and all cats know how to make that sound, but some cats may produce it more often.

Because of that, it’s believed that cats make clicking sounds due to three main reasons that I’m about to discuss in the next paragraph. So, don’t leave me so soon!

3 Reasons For Cats Making Clicking Sound

Every cat sound has a certain meaning because cats communicate with sound and by using their body language. 

Just like that, cats often produce this clicking sound that’s quite interesting but unusual at the same time. Cats produce this sound by opening and closing their mouth quickly with a short sound that reminds us of a click, hence the name.

However, according to popular belief, there are at least three different reasons for cats producing clicking sounds, which you’re about to find out now.

Hunting Mood ON

One of the main and most common reasons for cats producing clicking sounds is their hunting instinct, which is a natural thing for cats.

If you have ever heard your cat making this sound, it probably happened while your kitty was chilling by the window. When the cat notices something in that position, you’ll be able to notice many different changes just by monitoring your feline friend.

Some of the signs that your kitty is in a hunting mood are:

• Clicking sound

• Dilated pupils

• Crouching ready to jump

• Tail swishing

• Pointed whiskers and ears

Besides the clicking noise, the cat may also produce some of the other noises that signal they are in a hunting mood, such as chattering, chirping, and similar.

Despite the fact that some cats are kept indoors, they still have these natural hunting instincts, and a bird or similar small prey from the outside may easily catch their attention. 

Because of that, it’s of great importance to interact and play with your kitty or to provide them with interesting toys that will keep them busy.

Leave Meow-lone Human

Failure makes everyone frustrated, don’t you think? Therefore, our kitties can get frustrated too, which is another reason for cats making clicking sounds.

That usually happens because they cannot get what they want, for example, cats may produce a clicking sound because they’re frustrated if they couldn’t catch their prey or similar. 

Frustrated cats often want to be left alone and avoid interacting with you as they’re not in the mood. 

This is common for indoor cats as they don’t have the chance to catch the prey they see outside, which may be the reason for the excessive production of clicking noise, and that may become a real problem, leading to aggressive behavior and similar.

This is why it’s crucial to monitor your cat’s body language and behavior, such as hissing, tail swishing, dilated eyes, and similar signs of an angry cat.

It’s crucial to provide the cat with interesting playtimes where they catch the ‘“prey” to keep them happy and satisfied and to avoid possible behavior issues.

Attention Seeker

As previously mentioned, the clicking noise derives from kittenhood, when kittens may produce this sound in order to get their mother’s attention. Just like that, your cat may produce this sound in order to get your attention.

So, it may be that your kitty is just greeting you when you come home, or it wants you to feed it, clean the litter box, or do similar things that make them unhappy.

However, if your furbaby is a lovely affectionate little creature, the clicking noise may be a call for cuddle time, playtime, or similar interactive activities.

Our cats need attention and interaction, including toys and cat items that will keep them both mentally and physically active. If you keep your kitty happy and satisfied, it will always return it to you a hundred times more by showing you its loyalty and love.

What To Do When Your Cat Makes Clicking Sounds?

Most cat parents start to worry when they first hear their cats producing clicking sounds. I assure you that you don’t need to worry as this cat behavior is a normal part of cat communication.

As cats produce this sound mostly when they see prey that they cannot catch, your job as a cat owner is to help them and redirect their attention to something more interesting. So, here is something that you can do.

Monitor Your Cat’s Behavior And Body Language

Besides noticing different cat sounds, it’s important you also monitor your cat’s behavior and body language, as they can tell you a lot of things about how your kitty feels.

For example, when your cat is in a hunting mood or frustrated, you can easily notice that just by looking at their body language. Their tail will be swishing, their pupils will be dilated, and they may have flattened ears and similar.

This is a sign that your kitty is frustrated which means that you need to react and try to redirect your cat’s attention to something more interesting.

It would be best to engage your cat in play time where you’ll allow her to catch the prey so that she can finally feel satisfied.

As previously mentioned, the cat clicking sound may also be their way of getting your attention. In that case, their body language should be very different than when they’re frustrated.

Their tail may be straight up or slightly curved as a sign that they’re happy to see you. Besides that, your kitty will follow you everywhere around, and may even walk between your legs, so be careful not to step on it. 

If your kitty starts behaving like that, I recommend you check if they need anything or if they just want to cuddle; and provide them with whatever they need to keep them happy.

Interact With Your Kitty

Keeping your kitty active and entertained will increase its happiness level and decrease possible anger issues or frustration.

If you choose to be the cat’s parent, then you have to fulfill your duty properly. That means that you should provide your cat with meals on time and a clean litter box, but also that you’ll dedicate your time to interacting with your feline friend.

Play sessions are essential, especially for indoor cats and for cats with higher energy levels. It’s best to provide them with interesting catnip-filled toys that will take your game to the next level. 

Allow your cat to catch things to satisfy its hunting instincts. Moreover, there are many cat items that can be great in keeping your kitty busy, such as using a laser pointer, cat trees, especially those with interactive toys attached to them, cat running wheels that will help you keep the cat entertained and fit, scratching posts, and similar.

Other Cat Sounds And Their Meanings

It is believed that cats can produce over 60 different vocalizations in order to communicate with their humans or other animals. 

This article discussed one of these sounds, the clicking sound, but here are some other common cat sounds and their possible meanings.

• Meowing – this is the most common noise that cats produce to communicate with humans or other animals. The cat meowing sound usually means your kitty greeting you or telling you they need something.

If the meow is high-pitched and long, it usually means that the kitty is asking for food, especially if they’re meowing too loud. However, if the meow sound is short and high-pitched, it’s usually a cat’s way of saying “hi”.

• Purring – right after the meowing sound, the cat’s purr is one of the sweetest and most enjoyable cat sounds. It is deep and relaxing, meaning that your kitty is feeling great. 

Usually, purring loudly means that your kitty is relaxed, calm, and happy, especially if it’s cuddling with its owner or kneading. However, in rare cases, purring may also mean that the cat is nervous or irritated by something; the main difference lies in the cat’s body language.

• Hissing – another famous cat sound is hissing, which is often related to negative behavior. Cats usually hiss when they’re frightened or feeling threatened, or when they’re angry or irritated. Some kitties may easily get into hissing mode, it all depends on the cat’s personality. 

The hissing sound is usually followed by specific body postures, such as a puffed tail, swishing tail, arched back, flattened ears, pawing, and similar. If you find your kitty behaving like this, I suggest you leave it alone to calm itself down or try to redirect its attention with something positive.

• Chattering – this sound, also called chittering, is similar to the clicking sound. Usually, cats chatter when they notice prey while staring out a window. However, the main difference between chatter and a clicking sound is that chattering can often be followed by a chirp, cry, or squeak, and it seems as though the cat is mimicking the sound of a specific prey.

• Chirp – this chirping noise originates from kittenhood. It’s usually used by mother cats to call their kittens, and that’s how the kittens learn it. The chirps sound like squeaky short trills, and a cat chirps when it’s happy, satisfied, or when it wants someone to pay attention to them.

• Yowling – a cat yowling sound may have several meanings, but it’s quite the opposite of short trills. You have probably heard cats yowling during mating or catfights and similar. That means that cats often produce this sound when communicating with other cats, and it usually signifies trouble, stress, discomfort, mating or territorial issues.

However, if a cat starts yowling all of a sudden without a specific reason, I advise you to take the cat to the vet for an examination as it may be in pain due to different health issues, such as chronic bronchitis.

• Growling – besides hissing, when your kitty is angry or frustrated, you may often hear them growling. This sound usually starts or ends with yowling, but it’s a high-pitched sound. Everything else is the same as with hissing. The body language is the same, indicating that the cat is stressed, angry, scared, and ready for attack any minute.

• Caterwaul – this sound is more characteristic of female cats, especially unspayed ones. This sound is similar to the yowling, but it has a more hollow sound. So, when an unspayed female cat caterwauls, it means that she’s ready to mate and will even escape to get to the male cats.

Chatty Cat Breeds

Some cat breeds are considered to be extremely talkative and chatty. These cat breeds always have something to say. Sometimes it’s their way of showing their satisfaction, or they want your attention, or they’re simply greeting their favorite hooman!

Now, check out the list of cat breeds that are considered to be the most chatty, and of course, the Siamese cat comes first place on the list.

• Abyssinian cat

Final Thoughts

Cats are amazing for many different things, and it is fascinating that they can produce over 60 different sounds. One of these sounds is the cat’s clicking noise, which has certain meanings, just like every other sound that cats make.

The exact reason for the clicking sound isn’t known for sure, but it’s believed that there are three main reasons why cats do it. 

First, the reason is that they saw a prey animal, second is that they‘re frustrated because they cannot catch the prey, and third is that they’re simply asking you for attention.

This article also provides you with things you can do if you notice your cat producing clicking sounds, as well as other possible sounds and their meanings.

Every cat is able to produce many of these different sounds but not every cat will do it. However, that is why there are so-called talkative or chatty cat breeds that always have something to say and are more common for producing these sounds.

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