6 Reasons Why Your Cat Has Lost Their Meow

my cat sounds very hours when meos

My cat is sneezing & has lost his voice. He is 10 months old. My other 2 cats haven't got any symptoms. Can someone help me please (very worried)

My 6yr old cat has all of a sudden lost her voice, she is still very active and her usual lively self, bright eyes and glossy further, but when she tries to "Meow" it's really croaky. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

They other day my lost its meow. He is a very talkative cat.today he tries to meow but nothing come out. He doesn't have a runny nose,he's eating and drinking. What should I do?

I have 4 older male cats. The one that goes outside the most, began coughing like he had something in his throat. He then lost his voice. The other 3 are following suit. They are loosing their voices as well. No runny noses and they are all eating and drinking, No weight loss. Does anyone know what would cause this?

Our 7 year old very vocal cat has suddenly lost his voice and is still eating but croaking like a frog, could he have laringytis?

My Cat is 10 now but it great shape. He has been in the wars recently, mostly due to a bad infection in his respiratory system and fur balls. A combination of drugs and potions has got him back to his usual self.

However he has lost his meow, He still purrs and can make sounds but the are strained. He got it back an now it has gone again. I have a few theories but not any that I can put any store by. He eats well and is very happy and playful. He, like all cats, has a very individual personality and he is displaying all of his usual quirks. This is reassuring as i don't think that he is in pain or anything. I had him checked recently by our vet and he had a clean bill of health. Maybe it is a waiting game. Like me, he is not as young as he used to be, so maybe it just takes time. I will continue to monitor his well being. Waiting for something to click. An earlier comment on this thread gave me some reassurance that I was not alone.

My 2 year old cat has always been very vocal but today I noticed that her meow was very different. She sounds hoarse. We recently introduced a new kitten into the household and my 2 year cat didn't take very well to him. Anytime he got close she hissed and ran away nearly.a week on they seem grand and can be found playing. Would the hissing for a week be the reason why her meow is different? ?

We took in a severely malnourished cat about two weeks ago. When she first came she couldn't meow it was just a croak. Now today she sounds like a regular cat when she meows. Can her being malnourished have caused her to not meow properly? She was skin and bones and was losing fur also. Her bald spots are now filing in and she spends less time sleeping and now grooms herself and comes up for attention.

My cat is usually quite vocal but the last few weeks her meow has been very soft. She is eating and going out as normal and interacting with me the same as usual. Anyone have any ideas 💡

I have 2 4month old female kittens (siblings). One named Nahla is very vocal, always chortling, purring, mewing when she wants affection and MEOWING very loudly with a little kitten voice at any complaint or need. She is very smart and will meow in her usual high tone, and lead me where she wants me to go until I realize what she needs. Last night and today, I heard the weirdest sounding meow. It is lower and slightly husky, almost like a chortle or a coo. Could she be entering adolescence? Is she in heat? Or should I be concerned. She is eating, drinking, playing and being her usual bossy self. If anything she has been more cuddly the past day or so.

My Violet had these symptoms and the vet thought it was an allergy. I put her on Allegra. I should have insisted on tests when after a month there was no improvement. She has lung cancer. My other kitty has just developed hoarseness after a plane trip (in cabin).

I'm worried and will get him to the vet right away. I was hoping to find some shimmer of hope here but it seems going to the vet really is the best option.

Good luck to all the kitties and those who love them who need it.

My cat just all of sudden sounds like he has sore throat I don't if has something in throat are what or if just a cold

My cat is 2 and she tries to meow but sounds like a new born kitten when she meows. She’s still a playful cat and no change in appetite.. not sure if this is serious or not..please help!

One of my cats became hoarse, then within same day lost her voice. She is a tiny cat, gets cold easily. The only thing that changed is that she slept all night in front of a space heater - we switched out the space heater for a warm air humidifier, and her voice is back. Hope this helps some folks if their cats appear perfectly normal one day, then just lose their voice the next, with no other symptoms.

My cat’s 2 years old and we just got a kitten that’s two months old and my cousin found her in her basement. Now that we have had her for almost three weeks my cat lost her voice. Now I’m worried. Could it be the kitten that has made her sick?

My cat is currently doing this. He also had a spell last summer. In the earlier case he ate a rabbit n I guess it hurt his throat. For past week, he's been doing it again. It went from weak, to no noise at all, now voice is coming back. I'll keep eye out for his scat and see if I find another bunny.

my cat is 18 , for a few months he was constantly meowing night and day , but now he has lost his voice it's been like this for about 4 weeks , apart he totally well, still got an appertite etcetera , any ideas , thanks

All of a sudden my cat can’t meow and ain’t really eating anyone know what this is

My cat vomited 2 hairball and ever since has been horse she's eating fine and playing just not as active and didn't meow hardly please help I'm so worried

I rescued my 2 year old cat from the spca she took three months to come around and accept her new home, at first she did not meow at all but now she tries but all she can do is a faint whisper. I was wondering if maybe she was abused.

does a vet actually look at this site? No one seems to ever reply with any suggestions.

I am a doctor for humans but have 5 cats. If co corned PLEASE just take your cat to the vet! Here in Australia, loss of voice can be a first sign of tick paralysis, and this can be fatal.

Best wishes to all cat guardians XXX

My cat was talkative and a couple days ago can no longer get her meow out when she tries. I will try and follow up on this to let y'all know how it turns out.

My cat had a fur ball stuck and had trouble getting it up for maybe a week, in that time he didn’t weow because he was wheezing and having trouble breathing with the furuball being stuck. He’s eating, drinking playing with our other kitty. He just can’t weow. Can anyone help??

After being mute, my cat was raspy and can now meow ok. Not sure what the problem was.

I have a 10 1/2 yr old cat, he has always meow`d to let us know that he wants some thing, over the last 2 weeks his meow has turned into a squeak, I don`t think that he is stressed about any thing, he looks happy enough.. he does love it when you rub the front of his ears, I am worried that some thing is a miss, does anyone have any ideas?? If so PLEASE let me know.

My cat little bear was almost 17, he started to problems eating, and was starting to loose weight. He had a very quiet meow like a whisper for a few days, I went to the vet and they informed me he had a tumour on his neck. I unfortunately had to put him down yesterday, because they had no guarantee that any of the medications would help his tumour go down to the point where he could eat again. Worse complications would arise with his organs if he wasn’t eating. I couldn’t watch him suffer anymore. :(

So my cat, a long haired calico, suddenly has this sort of..muted meow? She usually has a very loud meow that gets your attention and once you start to pet her she will begin to purr. But I’ve noticed lately that she only meows whenever you touch her, but instead of her normal loud meow, it’s a very gentle meow that sounds like she is in pain? Very confused and very concerned

I have a 7 year old cat, Reggie, who was diagnosed last year with Feliv, which is leukemia.. Week ago he acted different didn't want to be touched, slept in hiding, pronounced swallow, lethargic, didn't eat as much....this went on 3 days and almost took to vet but gave him some amoxitabs, antibiotic but only two. He was better but his meow was gone! It is back but different. Cats with leukemia, their immune symptom can be compromised and some get ill more. If he continues meowing different, I will definitely take him to vet! Above, it was mentioned THROAT CANCER. This is a concern for me now!!

My cat just doesn't meow anymore. As a kitten, he used to scream his head off but one day, he just stopped. Now whenever he meows (rarely) it's a mouse squeak.

I have a 10 months cat who has always been vocal. Three weeks ago, I introduced a 2 months old kitten to the household. At first, they were not getting along at all, but now they are being playful. However, my older cat the last couple of days, all of a sudden, has lost his voice. I can' barely hear him when he meows. Is the new kitten making him sick?

My boy is 2 years and mostly stays inside but does go out during the day I've noticed that today he was hoarse he has gotten into fights before this but the other cats are not around anymore he's a healthy eater and nothing else seems to be wrong

Minha gatinha de 4 ou 5 meses está touca, e quando tenta miar, não sai nada, ela está assim a mais ou menos 1 mês, alguém sabe o que fazer?

I care for a homeless cat.... he has pretty much became our little kitty ....
He trys to meow but comes out very very light......he also is very thin

I got a 5 month old kitten and she doesn't really have a meow at all I'm wondering if I should be worried.

Is this hoarse meowing contagious? Because i took care of a street cat who had those symptoms but she didn't seem to be sick, and she ate a lot. My indoor cat started interacting with her and after a few days my cat could barely meow... Im worried i wanna know what this is before i take it to a vet.

Our cat normally has a great voice, but after we brought her new "sister" home, it's hoarse. I really hope she's not sick, and it is just a result of them playing/fighting and snarling/hissing/growling at each other.

My 18+yr old siamese cat has a cough and can no longer meow, and we all know how loud and vocal they can be. I took him to the vet, xray was clear, heart is slightly enlarged but not enough to concern the vet. He has gas in his intestines. Got tons of meds but I'm concerned that it is some kind of growth in his airway. Any thoughts as to what else could be causing this. Vet was talking about getting him scoped under anesthesia but at his advanced age it probably isn't a good idea.

Nobody here has described my cat's scenario, which is that two days ago she was seriously attacked by another cat and has had a deep throaty meow ever since. She was almost lifeless following the attack but the vet can find nothing wrong with her. She now seems fine apart from her voice - I find it quite distressing but the vet is not overly concerned. Just wanted to let everyone know that this is another reason for cats losing their voice, and you might not realise your cat's been attacked.

My cat is 5 years old and when he meows is sounds like he's hissing at me.

My cat from begin of 1 month and until 6 month dont have voice

my cat is 13 yold, is normal, eats and drinks well, 5 days now not meowing as much today not at alll, not interested in meowing, took him the vet doesnt know why, running tests, has a heart murmur ,any ideas, has been sneezing and coughing not lately, today a sneeze, no temperature, im a little worried.

Please see comment 18 octobre 2019 - IMOGEN.
It has been very helpful for me.
Thank you

My cat lost his meow 2 days ago he is not eating nor playing he seems tired mostly and always searching for warmth
Everytime he is trying to meow as if there is something stuck and having difficulty breathing

Hello! I need some help pls. We brought home a little kitty and our other cat (3 years old) lost it's voice after 7 days. She is very talkative usually. Can this be because of the playing and hissing? Thank you!

My cat is 11 runny nose, coughing, sneezing,stopped meowing but trys too looks unwell

Like the rest of you two of my cats are experiencing raspy quiet meows where they normally had very loud and clear meows I introduced a kitten to our family about 3 weeks ago and noticed he had a very soft raspy meow didn't really think anything of it My other two we noticed their meow change about a week ago All three are going to the vets today when I get their diagnosis I will definitely leave a comment to try to help some of you out! I did however read up on Google that it is most likely feline herpes!

Hi my 12 year old cat has lost her voice for over a month now. She purrs but nothing else, her breathing is also louder and more frequent ,she has a thyroid problem and has medication for it, she doesn’t seem in any pain,I think there is a problem with her throat but she’s still eating and drinking ok. I have spoken to my vet who said leave her see if it comes back which it hasn’t. I don’t want her messed about as she lost her right back leg in an accident 9 years ago. She seems happy goes in and out when she likes but I’m worried about her all the same.Anyone got any advice please ?

I have a Male cat that was once the neighborhood stray and very malnourished. I began feeding him and caring for him about 3 years ago. Even though he trusts me to an extent he will never allow me to pick him up and hes very Leary of everything including me at times. So needless to say he hasn't been to a veterinarian. He's fattened up and was eating until about 4 days ago. He has lost his appetite for his normal food but will eat soft food here and there. He refuses go drink water and loves milk but now he won't drink that either. He's salivating and drooling and has lost his meow and seems to be trying to clear his throat of a hairball but nothing comes out and I have also noticed his tongue is out more than usual. He's up and moving around but not behaving like his normal love and attention starved self...which he's not deprived of either of the two. I believe he's an American long haired main coon so he's pretty good sized boy and I can already see some weight loss and I'm EXTREMELY worried about him. I have tried getting mobile vets to come and check him but they don't come to my area because we are 15 minutes out of their radius.

I've had my cat 18 months and it's never really meowed every once in awhile you can hear a little tiny one out of it she eats good real healthy very smart good mouser when I got her her eyes were all matted I took to the vet they said she had ear mites they treated her she's very healthy other than she can't meow

I think it's really strange how there's an obvious correlation between bringing a new kitten home and then having your older cat lose their meow. Between this forum and another couple sites... I've completely lost count. It has to be almost 30 now that have experienced this!! What is going on?! And I have yet to see a vet give an answer so that's troubling. I took Bruce (13) to the vet yesterday and they couldn't determine any reason to why he's lost his voice but he wasn't listening to me so I am getting another opinion and he has another appointment tomorrow and I'll be up late now investigating and counting how many people have had this same thing.

my cat doesn't meow in the cold

11 months ago, my then 10 yr old cat Ray suddenly and unexpected lost his voice. The vet couldn't find anything wrong with him, and he remained an apparently healthy, active, and happy (but quiet) cat until three weeks ago. Then he started to snore quiet loudly while he slept. His voice actually returned, albeit subdued, for about a day, and then he started wheezing and making a variety of noises while breathing. Antibiotics and steroids didn't have any effect and the condition worsened very, very rapidly, to the point that the vet felt that Ray would not recover from being anesthetized for scoping his airway or undergoing surgery. Within a matter of days he was struggling to breath. He has not been able to eat nor drink anything for almost a week. Today, we had to put him to sleep.
If your cat suddenly loses his voice and it doesn’t return after a few months, be concerned, no matter how healthy he appears to be otherwise.

Laura mentioned above that she thought it was strange that so many people on this site and others had a cat who became hoarse or lost their voice after bringing a new kitten home. I rescued 4 kittens six weeks ago and now my 6 yr old cat's voice is raspy. These kitten's eyes were goopy and some were matted shut. Some were sneezing. This is caused by the feline herpes virus. The symptoms are infected goopy eyes (that can lead to blindness if untreated) lots of sneezing, congested stuffed up nose, coughing. They can have just one mild symptom and it clears up so owners may not really notice. Most cats including indoor only cats have been exposed to the herpes virus usually when they are kittens which they catch from their mother. Even if the Mother had no symptoms. Even though human herpes and cat herpes produce completely different symptoms there are 2 similarities. Stress can cause flare up of symptoms and it is for life.

Cats are creatures of habit. Even the slightest change can cause them stress. Moving the furniture around and having visitors can cause stress. You bring a kitten home your cat is stressed.You bring a kitten home carrying the virus or your cat was exposed as a kitten but the virus has been lying dormant with the added stress is a recipe to make your cat ill. Sometimes if they got it as kittens they have a better immunity to it when they are adults or if they were Vaccinated against it they may only have mild symptoms such as a sore throat and/or hoarse voice. The herpes vaccination does not prevent them from catching it but can, key word CAN not will reduce severity of symptoms.

For the ones whos cats voices become hoarse, raspy or they lost it after you brought a kitten or cat home the answer is yes that is likely the reason due to stress and feline herpes virus. If your cat goes outdoors they can be exposed to other cats with the herpes virus or a deadly virus. Feline Vaccinations don't protect 100%. Keep your cats inside. Feline Herpes Virus and Calcivirus is akin to the human cold or flu. It is not deadly unless your cat is immune compromised due to feline leukemia or other disease. Vaccinating a strictly indoor cat for a non deadly virus that can't even be caught unless exposed to a cat with the virus puts posion in their bodies unnecessarily which can cause health problems down the road as well.

Same issue with our 18lb.Thomas it came on over night.Does anyone know what this could be?

My Cat got attacked by a stray, and his meow sound is now different.?

I have 2 cats that are very talkative one a lot louder than the other, i noticed the louder ones voice changed an was deeper and was not to concerned as it had gone back to normal but the quieter one now has lost his voice completely they both still happy an eating an playing an pestering me for food as cats do, hopefully all well in end an just thought it a bit of a strange one as had cats all my life an never experienced this before?

My cat has lost her voice and we think she was in a yowling fight with another cat. I really want to investigate on how it started. She started with a croaky voice the lost her voice

My cat is currently 6 months old and she has all of her energy and has been eating/drinking however, she has absolutely no voice. Sometimes she's able to get a very faint meow but it's barely anything. I can't afford another vet bill, unfortunately.. It's been about two weeks since she's lost her voice, I don't know if this is common and to wait it out or if I need to take action. I'm not extremely worried because her personality is intact but she's not at 100 percent. I thought she could have an upper respiratory infection because she has been sneezing but idk.

My cat lives in a barn. And is petrified to get in a car. So how do I get her to a vet? She has lost her voice.

My cat has been in heat, she was meowing aggressively then yesterday she came by me and her meow was weak, meek like a whiny, soft meow. A neighbor suggested to take her to the animal hospital because it could be serious. But i disagree, considering it's the first time it's ever happened. Same with my dog, when i leave her home alone for a day she'll be hoarse by the evening then fine 1 or 3 days later. My question is...Is my neighbor overreacting or am I too relaxed about my cats hoarse, week meow? She still eats, plays and sneak attacks the dog, her normal self just not so vocal.

Anyone deal with cat that’s lost their voice. Seems hard for her to swallow. She’s been sick since December. I took her to vet and they did blood work and said “here give her every thing that might be responsible for why she’s anemic. If it doesn’t work then she probably has some type of lymphoma that’s untreatable. If you wanna take her to a specialist you can but it’s expensive”. So:… I’ve had a hard time giving her medication because she bit me and I went to ER and now im nervous. I kinda need some advice. Anyone been in my shoes?

Mi gata tiene más de 8 días que perdió la voz maulla pero muy ronco y casi no se escucha

My cat has lost its meow. It’s been two years since he had laryngitis still cannot meow. Did he possibly damage his laryngitis trying to meow when he was sick?

I forgot to mention he’s like 12

We got our cat when she was about 8 weeks old we have had her since November. She has had no meow since the day we got her it always sounds very weak and almost like a hiss (but it’s not) her purr sounds the same way. Does anyone know what this maybe or have suggestions

Guys, discarding the most serious possibilities, which is normal for a veterinary/pets page to mention ($), it 's highly likely that some cats lose their meow just for overusing it: basically a stress of their "vocal" chords. In my case, my cat is perfectly healthy except for this loss of voice: he can even do his other typical "crying sound" (albeit considerably less powerful than before) and purring. If you see the cat is healthy in every other way nut this, my advice will be to just go with the flow. I'll try to keep you updated in case he recovers his meow.

Great information

It was a fascinating read! I never realized there could be so many underlying reasons for a cat losing its meow—very helpful insights for cat owners to keep in mind.