Cats can make a variety of sounds when they are feeling frightened or threatened. These vocalizations can help communicate their fear and warn others of potential danger. Understanding the different noises a scared cat might make can help owners identify when their pet is distressed.
Hissing
One of the most common sounds a frightened cat will make is hissing. This is an aggressive vocalization that serves as a warning to potential threats. When scared, a cat will hiss by forcefully exhaling through their mouth with their teeth exposed. This creates a loud and alarming “sssss” noise that signals the cat’s fear or aggression. Hissing demonstrates that the cat is distressed and trying to protect itself. It is meant to startle whatever is scaring them and indicate that the cat may strike out if provoked further. A cat may hiss at other animals, unfamiliar people, or sudden movements that it perceives as a threat.
Growling
Growling is a low, rumbling sound that cats make in their throat when angry or defensive. Like hissing, growling serves as a warning that the cat feels threatened and is prepared to attack if necessary. The growl demonstrates that the cat is so frightened or agitated that it is on the verge of lashing out in self-defense. A scared cat may growl at an approaching threat to indicate its boundaries and unwillingness to back down. The sound is meant to deter the threat and protect the cat from harm. Growling indicates a heightened state of fear or stress compared to hissing and usually means the cat feels cornered or unsafe escaping. It is an urgent sound of distress and defensiveness.
Yowling/Crying
A scared cat may yowl or cry loudly in response to extreme fear or pain. This distress call communicates intense distress and anxiety. It is an urgent plea for help or comfort. The wailing sound becomes more persistent the greater the cat’s panic. A cry signifies the cat is terrified by something and desperately needs aid or escape. This vocalization from a normally quiet cat is a clear indicator they are under severe duress and feel powerless. Yowling could mean the cat is injured, cornered with no exit, or experiencing trauma like a visit to the vet. The dissonant wailing sounds are hard to ignore and demand attention. A cat parent will likely recognize this panicked cry as an emergency requiring their support and intervention.
Screaming/Shrieking
When completely overwhelmed by fear, a cat may scream or shriek. This is a piercing, raspy vocalization that signals absolute terror. The noise indicates the cat has reached its psychological limits and lost control in the face of extreme trauma. Screaming is an instinctual reaction to significant pain, restraint, or attack. If screaming persists, it means the cat is unable to escape the source of its panic. This disturbing sound tells us the cat is urgently pleading for rescue from the distressing stimulus. Because cats are generally silent creatures, any scream or shriek indicates a dire emergency requiring immediate action to protect the cat from whatever is causing its hysterical state. It is one of the clearest communication signals that the cat is enduring severe fear or pain that requires immediate relief.
Chattering
Some cats will chatter their teeth as an instinctual reaction to intense fear or overstimulation. Also known as “chatter-barking,” this behavior involves the cat rapidly opening and closing its jaw to produce a distinctive clicking sound reminiscent of chattering teeth. It often occurs when the cat is facing a threat but conflicted about whether to approach or flee. Like hissing, the chattering serves as an aggressive warning but also betrays the cat’s anxious indecision. It is often seen when a cat is stalking prey but uncertain about attacking. The chatter-barking communicates nervous energy and agitation. While not a wail or scream, this behavior indicates the cat is extremely distressed by something but has not fully retreated. The compulsive jaw-clicking shows the cat is scared and worked up but also fixated on the stimulus causing its fear.
Low trill or whine
Anxious or frightened cats may also emit a low rolling trill or whine. This less urgent vocalization signals unease versus imminent danger. It is an appeal to a trusted human for security and shows the cat is unsettled but not panicked. The soft trill is almost subconscious babbling that conveys the cat’s nervous distress. A scared cat may trill when it encounters something unfamiliar or when a loud noise startles it. The sound is an instinctual solicitation for attention, care, and reassurance when the cat is unsure how to cope with stressors. It is a request for the comfort and safety of their human companion. Providing a soothing response like petting or cuddling can help relieve the cat’s fearful anxiety. So while not an emergency like shrieking, trills and whines communicate discontent that warrants a caring reaction.
Silent Fear
While frightened cats often vocalize, they may also express fear silently. A scared cat who does not hiss, growl, or wail may still demonstrate stress through body language. Signs of silent fear include:
- Freezing in place
- Low crouching to the floor
- Ears flattened backwards
- Tense posture
- Widely dilated pupils
- Rapidly wagging tail
- Attempting to flee or hide
A cat exhibiting this fearful body language needs soothing even without distressed vocalizations. Paying attention to subtle signals allows cat parents to intervene before the cat becomes extremely scared or feels forced to make noise. Cats may stay quiet to avoid provoking an aggressor. Silent fear still causes significant stress for cats and necessitates comfort from their human companion. So look for physical cues even without an audible indication of fear.
Reasons for scared cat sounds
There are many triggering reasons why cats vocalize when scared or distressed. Common causes include:
Loud noises
Sudden loud sounds like fireworks, thunder, gunshots, or slamming doors can trigger a fearful vocal response in cats. The noise overwhelms their sensitive hearing and jolts their nervous system. A scared cat may yowl, scream, or hiss at the alarming sound they don’t understand. Hiding under the bed to escape the noise may follow. This reaction demonstrates the cat has lost control and needs consolation.
Strangers
Unfamiliar people in the home often provoke hissing, growling, or spitting from scared cats. They instinctually distrust strangers and see them as a threat. The aggressive sounds are a warning to make the stranger keep their distance. Slow introductions with positive associations can help cats become more comfortable over time. But an unknown person approaching or trying to pet the cat may be met with frightened vocal and physical resistance. The cat is communicating its boundaries until it feels safe.
Rough handling
Cats will shriek or bite when handled roughly against their will. For example, screaming may erupt from the strain of a tight grip while trimming the cat’s claws. The sound expresses both pain from discomfort and extreme fear of restraint. Cats want control of their environment and bodies. When that autonomy is lost, they cry out in protest and disbelief. Rough handling overwhelms the cat, inducing panic vocalizations to escape. They may learn to associate those handling experiences with fear that causes future interactions to be met with distressed sounds.
Veterinary visits
The unfamiliar environment, handling, and interventions involved in veterinary exams commonly provoke fearful yowling. The scared cat may wail, shriek, and even bite or scratch when cornered during the appointment. Transporting the cat in a carrier and the foreign smells of the clinic contribute to their terror. They have lost all sense of control and safety. Terrified crying and retreating under furniture are common responses. Fearful vet experiences often require medication, training, and calming aids to prevent traumatic responses in the future.
Car rides
The motion, confinement, and strange sounds of car travel also elicit fear responses like crying, meowing, and frantic clawing. The trapped feeling plus instability frightens the cat. Motion sickness may further contribute to panicked wailing or hiding. Introducing cats to car travel gradually while young, using calming aids, and providing secure crates can help decrease scared behavior during necessary transport. Starting slow and creating positive associations is key.
Pain or injury
Physical pain understandably induces screaming or crying as an expression of intense distress. For example, a cat may shriek upon impact if you accidentally step on their paw or tail. The sound is an involuntary reaction to agony and stops once the pain source ceases. Cats in chronic pain from dental disease, arthritis, or injury may growl, wail, or bite from feeling constantly threatened by their discomfort. Alleviating the pain source or providing medication offer relief. While not from fear, the cat is signaling urgent need for aid.
Predators
Confrontations with larger animals or neighborhood cats/dogs can evoke screeches of terror. The hisses and arched backs are desperate warnings. Being chased by a threatening predator like a dog may cause panicked wailing. The sounds reflect loss of control and sheer desperation to escape danger. Removing the threat and providing a secure territory allows the cat to regain calm.
Abandonment
Sometimes a cat’s scared crying is due to separation from their trusted humans and familiar territory. The loneliness and disorientation stoke anxiety. This often occurs with surrendered cats in new foster or shelter environments. The mournful meows represent both confusion and longing for their lost home. Providing comforting care and a stable routine helps reduce frightened distress calls. But the cries show how devastating sudden abandonment is for cats.
Trapped or constrained
Restricting a cat’s movement by trapping it or holding it down frequently induces panicked vocalizations. The terror comes from losing their ability to escape whatever is immobilizing them. Trapped cats may shriek and lash out violently. And cats held tightly may scream until finally released. The goal is to urgently communicate: “Let me go!” This links to prey drive instincts. When their mobility is seriously compromised, the psychological stress overwhelms cats. Freedom and security are restored only after the constraint ceases.
Comforting a Scared Cat
Since cats naturally conceal pain and distress, vocalizations of fear provide important evidence your cat needs support. Here are some tips for comforting a scared cat:
- Get on the cat’s level and speak in a soothing tone
- Offer treats or catnip to help shift their mindset
- Distract with play using wands and feather toys
- Pet gently if the cat desires touch
- Provide a cozy hiding spot until the cat feels emboldened
- Use calming synthetic pheromones to restore calm
- Limit loud noises and chaos in the home
- Keep strangers away and allow cautious introductions
- Avoid scolding or punishing fearful behavior
Be patient and let the cat take refuge until ready to emerge. Creating a predictable routine also promotes security. You may need to identify and remove the source of fear if possible. For ongoing issues, consult your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medications, training, or swapping to different handling techniques. With time and support, even easily frightened cats can gain confidence and tolerance.
When to See the Vet
While most distressed vocalizations resolve on their own, speak to your vet if:
- Wailing, crying, or screaming persists unabated
- You cannot identify a specific trigger
- Behavior seems unrelated to a temporary scare
- Cat seems disoriented or detached from environment
- There are physical symptoms like shaking or hiding
- Fear impacts ability to handle the cat
- Cat starts having bathroom accidents
- Cat becomes destructive or self-harming
Get seen urgently if your cat shows signs of respiratory distress like open-mouth breathing or blue-tinged gums/tongue. The vet can examine for underlying illness and provide medication if anxiety is worsening quality of life. In some cases, distressed vocalizations warrant further medical investigation and treatment.
Preventing Scared Cat Noises
You can help avoid fearful vocal outbursts by:
- Keeping the cat’s schedule/environment consistent
- Providing plenty of hiding places
- Using synthetic feline pheromones to induce calm
- Playing relaxing music to muffle startling outdoor noises
- Avoiding punishment or scolding
- Practicing safe vet handling techniques
- Using carriers, leashes, and handling towels for control
- Socializing early and positively to new places, people, and animals
- Providing a screened outdoor enclosure for fresh air
The more you can do to build confidence and minimize surprises, the lower your cat’s day-to-day anxiety will likely be. This reduces the frequency and intensity of fearful vocalizations. Prevention is the best long-term solution.
Conclusion
Cats have a wide vocabulary of sounds to communicate how threatened or scared they feel. Hissing, growling, screaming, crying, and chattering provide information about their emotional state and boundaries. While loud, these noises signal your cat needs care and comfort. Understanding the cause of fear allows you to protect your cat and restore purring contentment. With patience and care, cats can gain resilience against stresses that initially provoked panic. So pay close attention to the unique language your cat uses to convey their fears. Both you and your cat will feel more secure as a result.