What's With the Silent Meow?

[ChrisH]

Lots of cats open their mouths and look like they’re meowing, but humans don’t hear any sound. Many cat lovers find this “silent meow” utterly endearing, or perhaps, the ultimate manipulation tool: Kitty is trying to convince his person that he’s so desperate he can’t even make a sound to indicate the depths of his angst.

The “silent meow” is actually a real meow, but the sound is above the range of human hearing. Cats can hear sounds as high-pitched at 65,000 cycles per second. Humans, on the other hand, can only hear up to about 20,000 cycles per second, so what sounds like a piercing cry to your cat may be completely inaudible to you.

http://blogs.catster.com/cat_tip_of_...l%20v2%20oct09

[lizbud]

I have often wondered about this. My cat Pumpkin (punky) does
this a lot, especially when I'm eating cheese. He loves cheese.

[catmandu]

There was an excellent book by Paul Gallico called the Silent Miaow.
I will have to look up at the Library to see if its still there, maybe in their vintage book collection.

My Cats have the booming Miaow, not the Silent Miaow!!

[Don Juan's mom]

Don Juan's meows are all silent now.

[cassiesmom]

Cassie does the Silent Meow sometimes. Usually when she's annoyed with me for some reason

[orangemm]

I've read "The Silent Miaow", and it is a wonderful book!

Binky does it when there is something he particularly wants, when he wants to look pitiful. Yes, I usually give in..........................

[moosmom]

My Shortie (11 year old Munchkin purebred rescue) does that alot!!! The motions are there but nothing comes out. She'll do that and then roll over demanding her armpits be scratched. I love her so much!!!

[Barbara]

I always felt that Tigris was doing this when he meant to say "You won't listen to me anyway"

[Pinot's Mom]

I always felt that Tigris was doing this when he meant to say "You won't listen to me anyway"

Exactly; or - "You never give me what I want" pout, pout

[Freedom]

LOL, my RB Vita did this very, very often! We said she was "miming!" I never realized there was a sound, we just couldn't hear it. Silly humans!

[catmandu]

Great news the Silent Miaows on hold and another Paul Gallico Cat Book as well.
This will be so nostalgic as I havent read that book in over 40 years!!!

[freckledimple]

Our Piggy is a silent meower The only time she "sounds off" is when Runt bites her butt Who could blame her.

[smokey the elder]

Bubba gives me silent meows a lot.

[Husky_mom]

haha.. they do look pitiful.. like.. "I lost my voice and yet you don´t listen".. I bet it´s the cat version of puppy eyes.. lol