6 Reasons Why Your Cat Has Lost Their Meow
If your normally vocal kitty has suddenly become a little hoarse you are probably wondering what has caused this sudden silence…
1. Prolonged meowing
Sometimes your cat has just meowed themselves silent for a little while. Perhaps it has been during the night or whilst you've been at work, but in any case, their meow should return to normal after a little while.
2. Rabies
Rabies causes hoarseness so if you think there's been even a slight chance of your cat being in contact with a rabid animal take them to the vet immediately so they can investigate.
3. Upper Respiratory Infection
Upper Respiratory Infections (URI), which often results in laryngitis, can cause hoarseness. In addition to hoarseness, if your cat is displaying a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, lack of appetite, lethargy, or yellow or green discharge from the eyes or nose, take them to the vet so medication such as antibiotics can be prescribed.
4. Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid glands, is a common ailment in older cats which can cause hoarseness along with weight loss. If you suspect this is the cause for your cat's lack of meow, take them to the vet so blood tests can be performed.
5. Laryngeal paralysis
This is when nerve damage of the larynx or voice box is caused preventing it from working properly when your cat wishes to breath or meow. It's a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Accompanying symptoms include: coughing, weight loss, difficulty eating and struggling for breath.
6. Growths
Growths can develop on the throat, particularly the vocal cords, causing benign tumours or polyps - however sometimes it can result in throat cancer. Symptoms along with hoarseness include: changed vocal sound, sneezing, coughing and persistent ear infections. If you are suspicious that your cat has growths developing - take them to the vet so a diagnosis (often via a biopsy) can be given.
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1. Prolonged meowing
Sometimes your cat has just meowed themselves silent for a little while. Perhaps it has been during the night or whilst you've been at work, but in any case, their meow should return to normal after a little while.
2. Rabies
Rabies causes hoarseness so if you think there's been even a slight chance of your cat being in contact with a rabid animal take them to the vet immediately so they can investigate.
3. Upper Respiratory Infection
Upper Respiratory Infections (URI), which often results in laryngitis, can cause hoarseness. In addition to hoarseness, if your cat is displaying a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, lack of appetite, lethargy, or yellow or green discharge from the eyes or nose, take them to the vet so medication such as antibiotics can be prescribed.
Hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid glands, is a common ailment in older cats which can cause hoarseness along with weight loss. If you suspect this is the cause for your cat's lack of meow, take them to the vet so blood tests can be performed.
5. Laryngeal paralysis
This is when nerve damage of the larynx or voice box is caused preventing it from working properly when your cat wishes to breath or meow. It's a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Accompanying symptoms include: coughing, weight loss, difficulty eating and struggling for breath.
6. Growths
Growths can develop on the throat, particularly the vocal cords, causing benign tumours or polyps - however sometimes it can result in throat cancer. Symptoms along with hoarseness include: changed vocal sound, sneezing, coughing and persistent ear infections. If you are suspicious that your cat has growths developing - take them to the vet so a diagnosis (often via a biopsy) can be given.
Feature image credit
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.
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.
Best wishes to all cat guardians XXX
He trys to meow but comes out very very light......he also is very thin
It has been very helpful for me.
Thank you
Everytime he is trying to meow as if there is something stuck and having difficulty breathing
I don't know if it's stress or this infection. I know that doesn't help yet but is your cat eating and drinking?
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.
I now wonder if her voice change was the beginning of all of this. I agree with you, if your cat's voice changes don't leave it, keep pushing the vet for answers.
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.