Assume You’re settling in for the night when you hear it. That plaintive, heart-wrenching sound coming from your cat that sounds almost like sobbing. Your first instinct? Your cat must be crying, right?
If you’ve ever wondered whether cats cry like humans do, you’re not alone. Thousands of cat owners search for answers about their feline’s watery eyes and vocal outbursts every single day. The truth about cat crying might surprise you, and understanding what your cat is really trying to communicate can help you become a better pet parent.
Let’s dive into the fascinating world of cat emotions, tears, and those mysterious crying sounds that have puzzled cat lovers for generations.
Do Cats Cry?
Here’s the short answer: Yes and no. It depends on what you mean by “crying.”
Cats absolutely do cry, but not in the way humans do. When we humans cry, we’re usually experiencing strong emotions like sadness, joy, or frustration, and our bodies respond by producing emotional tears that stream down our faces.
Cats experience emotions too, but they express them very differently. Your feline friend won’t shed tears of sadness after you leave for work or tears of joy when you return home. However, cats do produce tears for physical reasons, and they definitely “cry out” vocally to communicate various needs and feelings.
The confusion comes from the fact that “crying” has two meanings. There’s the physical act of producing tears, and there’s the vocal expression of distress or need. Cats do both, just not in the interconnected way humans do.
Pro Tip: If you notice your cat making crying sounds while also having watery eyes, these are likely two separate issues happening at the same time, not one emotional response like human crying.
Do Cats Have Emotions?
Absolutely! Anyone who’s spent time with cats knows they’re emotional creatures with distinct personalities.
Cats experience a range of emotions including happiness, fear, anxiety, frustration, and affection. When your cat purrs contentedly in your lap, that’s genuine pleasure. When they dart under the bed during a thunderstorm, that’s real fear. When they knead your blanket before settling down, that’s comfort and security.
Research has shown that cats form strong emotional bonds with their owners. A 2019 study published in Current Biology found that cats display attachment behaviors similar to dogs and even human infants. They recognize their owners, prefer their company, and can experience separation anxiety.
The difference is in how cats show these emotions. While humans cry emotional tears, cats communicate through body language, vocalizations, and behavior changes. A sad or stressed cat might hide, stop eating, or become more vocal. A happy cat might purr, knead, or bring you “gifts” (yes, even those unwanted mouse presents).
Your cat’s emotional world is rich and complex. They just express it through whiskers, tail positions, ear movements, and various sounds rather than through tears streaming down their furry faces.
Pro Tip: Learn to read your cat’s body language. A slowly blinking cat is showing trust and affection, while a cat with flattened ears and a puffed tail is scared or aggressive. Understanding these signals helps you respond to their emotional needs.
Do Cats Cry Tears?
Yes, cats do produce tears, but they’re not emotional tears. Let’s clear up this common misconception.
Cats have tear ducts just like humans do, and these ducts serve an important purpose. Tears in cats are purely functional. They keep the eyes moist, wash away debris, and protect the delicate eye tissues from irritation.
You might notice a small amount of discharge in the corner of your cat’s eyes occasionally. This is completely normal. It’s just the tear film doing its job of keeping those beautiful feline eyes healthy and clean.
However, if you see excessive tearing, watery eyes, or tear stains running down your cat’s face, this isn’t your cat crying from sadness. It’s a sign of a physical problem that needs attention.
Common reasons for excessive tearing in cats include:
Eye infections or conjunctivitis cause inflammation that leads to increased tear production. Your cat’s eyes might also appear red or swollen.
Blocked tear ducts prevent normal drainage, causing tears to overflow and run down the face. This creates those telltale stained streaks on your cat’s fur.
Allergies to dust, pollen, or household products can irritate your cat’s eyes, triggering excess tear production as the body tries to flush out the irritant.
Foreign objects like dust particles, grass seeds, or even an errant eyelash can cause tearing as the eye attempts to wash away the debris.
Corneal ulcers or scratches on the eye surface are painful and cause significant tearing along with squinting and light sensitivity.
Pro Tip: Certain cat breeds, especially flat-faced breeds like Persians and Himalayans, are more prone to excessive tearing due to their facial structure. Regular gentle cleaning with a damp cloth can help keep their faces clean and prevent staining.
Types of Cat Crying
When we talk about cats “crying,” we’re usually referring to their vocalizations. Cats are incredibly vocal animals with a sophisticated communication system. Understanding the different types of cat crying helps you decode what your feline is trying to tell you.
Meowing
The classic “meow” is your cat’s primary way of talking to you. Interestingly, adult cats rarely meow at other cats. They developed this vocalization specifically to communicate with humans.
Meows come in various pitches and lengths, each with different meanings. A short, high-pitched meow is often a greeting. A longer, more insistent meow usually means your cat wants something like food, attention, or to go outside.
Some cats are naturally more talkative than others. Siamese and Oriental breeds are famous for being chatty, while breeds like the Russian Blue tend to be quieter.
Yowling
Yowling is a longer, more drawn-out sound that’s louder and more intense than a regular meow. It sounds almost mournful, like your cat is crying out in distress.
Unspayed female cats yowl when they’re in heat, advertising their availability to male cats in the area. Male cats yowl back in response. If you’ve ever heard cats yowling at night during mating season, you know exactly how loud and persistent this can be.
Yowling can also indicate pain, confusion (especially in older cats with cognitive dysfunction), or territorial disputes with other cats.
Caterwauling
Caterwauling is an escalated form of yowling that sounds even more dramatic. It’s that loud, wailing sound that seems to go on forever, often heard in the middle of the night.
This vocalization is most common during mating season. Female cats in heat and male cats competing for mates engage in caterwauling that can wake entire neighborhoods.
Senior cats sometimes caterwaul due to cognitive decline, disorientation, or because their senses are diminishing and they feel lost or confused, even in familiar surroundings.
Pro Tip: If your older cat starts caterwauling at night, leave a night light on in their favorite rooms. Many senior cats develop night blindness and feel anxious in complete darkness. A simple night light can dramatically reduce nighttime crying.
Crying While Mating
If you’ve ever heard cats mating, you know it sounds absolutely horrible, like the cats are in serious pain. The female cat often lets out loud, piercing cries during and after mating.
Here’s why: Male cats have barbed penises. Yes, you read that right. These tiny spines trigger ovulation in the female but also cause discomfort or pain, which prompts her to cry out and often swat at or chase away the male immediately after mating.
This crying is a completely natural part of the feline reproductive process, though it sounds distressing to human ears. It’s one of many reasons why spaying and neutering your cats is so important for their wellbeing and your peace of mind.
Night Crying
Many cat owners report that their cats cry specifically at night. This nocturnal crying can happen for several reasons.
Cats are crepuscular, meaning they’re naturally most active at dawn and dusk. Your cat might be crying at night because they’re bored, energetic, and want you to wake up and play.
Hunger is another common cause. If your cat’s last meal was many hours ago, they might wake you up crying for breakfast.
Senior cats often develop cognitive dysfunction syndrome, similar to dementia in humans. This can cause confusion, disorientation, and anxiety, especially at night when the house is dark and quiet.
Kitten Crying
Kittens cry frequently, and it’s usually their way of calling for their mother. A crying kitten might be cold, hungry, scared, or just wanting comfort and reassurance.
If you’ve adopted a young kitten, expect some crying, especially during the first few nights in their new home. They’re adjusting to being separated from their mother and littermates, and everything is new and potentially scary.
The good news? Most kittens adapt quickly with proper care, warmth, and reassurance. Providing a warm bed, gentle handling, and consistent feeding schedules helps reduce kitten crying significantly.
Pro Tip: For a crying kitten missing their mother, try placing a ticking clock wrapped in a soft towel in their bed. The rhythmic ticking mimics a mother cat’s heartbeat and can be incredibly soothing. A warm (not hot) water bottle wrapped in a towel also helps replicate the warmth of littermates.
Reasons Your Cat’s Crying
Understanding why your cat is crying helps you address their needs and ensure they’re healthy and happy. Here are the most common reasons behind cat crying.
Your cat might simply be trying to get your attention. Cats learn quickly that vocalizing gets results. If crying brings you running with food, toys, or cuddles, your cat will keep using this effective communication strategy.
Hunger is a major motivator for cat crying. Many cats become very vocal around meal times, especially if they’re on a feeding schedule. Some cats start crying well before their actual dinner time, hoping to convince you that they’re starving (even though they ate a few hours ago).
Medical issues cause crying when your cat is in pain or discomfort. Urinary tract infections, arthritis, dental disease, and digestive problems can all make your cat more vocal. Pay attention if the crying is accompanied by other symptoms like loss of appetite, lethargy, or changes in litter box habits.
Stress and anxiety trigger crying in sensitive cats. Changes in routine, new pets, moving to a new home, or even rearranging furniture can stress some cats enough to make them more vocal.
Cognitive dysfunction in senior cats leads to increased crying, especially at night. Older cats might feel confused or disoriented, causing them to cry out as if they’re lost, even in their own home.
Loneliness affects some cats more than others. If you’re gone for long hours and your cat is alone, they might cry from boredom or because they miss your company.
Attention-seeking behavior develops when cats learn that crying gets results. Some cats train their owners to respond to their every whim by crying persistently until they get what they want.
Pro Tip: Don’t immediately respond every time your cat cries. While you should never ignore signs of distress or medical issues, reinforcing attention-seeking crying by always giving in teaches your cat that crying works. Wait for a quiet moment, then reward the silence with attention.
When To Call Your Vet If Your Cat’s Crying
While some cat crying is normal communication, certain situations require professional veterinary attention. Knowing when to call your vet can make a huge difference in your cat’s health and comfort.
Call your vet immediately if your cat is crying and also straining to urinate or defecate. This could indicate a urinary blockage or severe constipation, both of which are medical emergencies, especially in male cats.
Excessive, persistent crying that’s out of character for your cat deserves veterinary attention. If your normally quiet cat suddenly won’t stop crying, or your talkative cat’s vocalizations have dramatically increased, something might be wrong.
Crying accompanied by other symptoms requires a vet visit. Watch for lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, hiding, aggressive behavior, or any changes in normal routines.
Eye problems alongside crying need evaluation. If your cat has watery eyes, redness, swelling, squinting, or visible discharge along with increased crying, schedule an appointment.
Sudden personality changes combined with crying warrant investigation. If your friendly cat becomes withdrawn and cries more, or your independent cat becomes clingy and vocal, these behavioral shifts might signal illness.
Senior cats who start crying more, especially at night, should be checked for cognitive dysfunction, hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure, or other age-related conditions.
Any cat crying in an unusual way, making sounds you’ve never heard before, or crying in a way that seems painful (rather than just vocal) needs veterinary assessment.
Pro Tip: Keep a journal of your cat’s crying episodes. Note when they happen, how long they last, what seems to trigger them, and any other symptoms you observe. This information is incredibly valuable for your veterinarian in diagnosing potential problems.
Trust your instincts. You know your cat better than anyone. If something feels off, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and consult your vet.
Conclusion
So, do cats cry? The answer is nuanced. Cats don’t cry emotional tears like humans do, but they absolutely communicate through vocalizations we call “crying,” and they do produce tears for physical reasons.
Understanding the difference between normal cat communication and signs of distress makes you a better, more responsive cat parent. Your cat’s meows, yowls, and caterwauling are their way of talking to you, expressing needs, and sometimes alerting you to problems.
Pay attention to your cat’s normal vocal patterns so you can recognize when something changes. Respond to their communication needs, but don’t reinforce excessive attention-seeking crying. And most importantly, never ignore signs that crying might indicate a medical problem.
Your cat may not cry tears of sadness, but they’re still deeply emotional creatures who depend on you to understand their unique ways of expressing themselves. By learning to decode your cat’s various “cries,” you strengthen your bond and ensure your feline friend stays happy, healthy, and heard.
Remember, whether your cat is crying for dinner, attention, or because something hurts, they’re trusting you to listen and respond. That’s the beautiful responsibility of being a cat parent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my cat cry at night?
Cats cry at night for several reasons including boredom, hunger, loneliness, or simply because they’re naturally more active during twilight hours. Senior cats may cry at night due to cognitive dysfunction or disorientation. Ensure your cat has adequate playtime before bed, consider an automatic feeder for early morning meals, and leave night lights on for older cats.
Can cats cry real tears when they’re sad?
No, cats don’t produce emotional tears when they’re sad. While cats definitely experience emotions like sadness and can show it through behavior changes, hiding, or decreased appetite, they won’t cry tears from emotional distress. Any excessive tearing from your cat’s eyes indicates a physical problem like infection or irritation, not sadness.
Why do cats make sounds like a baby crying?
Cats sometimes make sounds that eerily resemble a human baby crying, especially during mating season. Female cats in heat and male cats responding to them produce these sounds naturally. Some cats also make baby-like cries when they want attention, have learned this sound gets a strong response from their owners, or are experiencing distress or pain.
How can I stop my cat from crying so much?
First, rule out medical issues by visiting your vet. If your cat is healthy, address their crying by ensuring they have adequate food, water, clean litter, enrichment, and attention. Stick to consistent feeding schedules, provide interactive play sessions, and don’t reinforce attention-seeking crying by immediately responding. For senior cats, night lights and routine can help reduce nighttime crying.
Is cat crying a sign of pain?
Cat crying can indicate pain, especially if it’s unusual for your cat or accompanied by other symptoms like limping, lethargy, loss of appetite, or changes in behavior. Cats often hide pain, so increased vocalization might be one of the few signs they’re uncomfortable. If you suspect your cat is in pain, schedule a veterinary appointment promptly.
