Why Do Cats “Ekekeke”? Cat Sounds Explained (With Videos)

Our cats talk to us all the time. They tell us when they miss us. They tell us that they’re hungry, they practically communicate every aspect of their lives with us most of the time. So, if you’ve heard your cat making this sound that you can’t quite describe, you might wonder what the deal is.

They’re almost in a trance-like state. The sound “ekekeke” is made by cats in response to stimuli. In this article, we will describe what that “ekekeke” chirping and chattering sound generally means and go over a bunch of other kitty sounds so you can understand their body language better.

What Is That Sound? Chirping Explained

It’s no secret that our cats have quite the prey drive. They love catching unsuspecting victims like mice, squirrels, and anything else that scurries.

We’ve all heard it at one point or another. There’s chattering going on. Your cat is making some otherworldly sound that can’t quite be explained. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to get into the mind of the cat on this one. If you notice when they’re chirping, they are laser focused on something.

This stimulus could be a squirrel jumping from tree to tree out the window or a ladybug that got inside for the season. It is a noise that happens when they are directly trying to respond to a stimulus.

While chattering and chirping often have similarities and might even be confused for the other sound, they have slightly different meanings and sounds.

Chirping vs. Chattering: What’s the Difference

When you hear cat noises, you might get them confused. After all, they have a myriad of sounds that we can detect based on body language and noise. When it comes to chirping and chattering, both are extremely similar and vary in slight and subtle ways.

Chirping

Chirping sounds like a high-pitched call that nearly resembles a bird, hence the name. Typically, chirping is reserved for communication between a mother cat and her kittens. However, adults may chirp at their human companions to get attention or to inform other cats of their presence.

Like chattering below, some cats can chirp as well when they see prey or get stimulated by predatory instincts. Chirps are often subtle and happen more quietly. Consider the chirping and chattering sounds direct twins of one another.

Chattering

Chattering is often simultaneously called chirping, although they are different. Chattering is a more focused and dramatic version of the chirp. This is the classic sound you hear when you are watching hilarious cat videos on the web.

We’ve all seen those cats sitting in the window completely fixated on something that they see, making the most obscure “ekekeke” sound.

According to certified cat behaviorist Marilyn Krieger, chattering has unknown origins, but they can place it pretty well. There are a couple of theories that seem to exist about chattering, but here is what the possible science behind it could be.

It is believed that chattering is caused by neurotransmitters being released into the system such as dopamine, cortisol, or adrenaline. And while it may be very thrilling to your cat to see the fixated prey, they are often frustrated by the barrier.

So essentially, the chattering could happen in response to instinctually wanting to catch the prey that they see but physically being unable to do so.

Other Cat Sounds

Chattering or chirping are both really terrific cat sounds, don’t get us wrong. But that’s not where the vocalization ends! We know our cats have several different mannerisms, all reserved for different purposes.

Below, we have a list of different cat noises and what they could mean in various situations.

Purring

It is absolutely valid and normal to think that when your cat purrs, that means they are happy. And while this is very true, that’s not the only reason cats use their purr.

You might not know that a cat’s purr is extremely therapeutic. Their meows sound at a frequency that is made to heal the body. They sometimes meow while in pain to stabilize the body. They can even help you heal! Remember that next time your cat cuddles up to you, purring like a madman.

Meowing

We’ve all heard the infamous meow. Whether you didn’t fill up the food bowl on time or you just arrived home from work, your cat might come running to meow at you. Meowing can signal distress, happiness, excitement, curiosity, you name it.

It’s a method that cats use to communicate with us and nothing more.

Hiss

We are probably all very familiar with the hiss. There’s really no mistaking this one. Whether they’re sick of the family dog pestering them or they are feeling threatened by an unfamiliar feline, your cat can use their hiss to communicate boundaries and assert themselves. Consider a hiss a warning.

Spitting

What is spitting, and how does it differ from hissing? We’re glad you asked! Spitting is a very short burst that sounds like a hiss but is much more short-lived. It usually happens involuntarily as a response to an unexpected threat.

Growling

Consider that low hum of a growl your first warning. Typically, it is a very subtle way of letting anybody around know that they are very annoyed with what’s happening, and you best maintain your distance. If you provoke after the growl, you might hear a hiss or even get a swat.

Yowl

If you’ve ever heard a yowl, you won’t be able to forget it. It is a dramatic version of a meow, essentially. Yowls are often a form of cat-to-cat communication that can signal a desire to mate or even a warning that another cat is crossing a territorial boundary.

It doesn’t have to have such a strict meaning, of course. Some cats yowl when they get confused, when something changes in the environment, and so on.

Caterwaul

If you have a female in the home that has reached sexual maturity and has not been spayed, your little lady might caterwaul. This sound signals that the female in question is ready for a mate. But what exactly does a caterwaul sound like?

A caterwaul sounds like a growling, trilling, and meowing sound. Once you’ve heard it, it will be easy to distinguish from other cat sounds.

Conclusion

We can marvel at cat sounds all day long. Our felines are very entertaining creatures to watch with their actions and their sounds. Hopefully, you’ve learned more about the chattering and chirping behavior, so it makes more sense to you now.

All these noises are completely normal; some cats might do them more than others. It’s totally based on personality and overall character.

See also:

• How Many Sounds Can a Cat Make? Common Vocalizations
• Why Is My Cat Making a Vibrating Noise? 5 Vet-Approved Reasons

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