imaginarygirl - cats

[countrygirl12]

Hey didn't you say you worked in a vet office.  I have googled and am not finding an answer.  But can a cat be mute?  I guess anything is possible.  There is a stray (well several of them) in my neighborhood.  One has been staying at my house a lot and I know it eats scraps and food at a couple of other houses but she doesn't really have a home. She likes to sleep on my vehicle. 

Anyway I am pretty sure it is a girl.  She came up sort of close to me yesterday and I notice she always acts like she is trying to meow.  She opens her mouth but nothing comes out.  My oldest done that when I first got him but it was because he was hoarse from crying so long before I found him.  He was 3 weeks old and had been set out. He is fine now.  This cat has done this for quite some time.  I think she is trying to meow.  I also read that feral cats learn early on to be quite for safety.

[1imaginarygirl]

I'm not sure if a cat can be born mute, but I suppose it's possible. Since she is a stray, it may be that she hasn't "learned" to talk to humans. Cats don't vocally communicate to each other, unless they're fighting. They use body language and eye contact. Domesticated cats learn to meow at their owners to get attention when they realize we don't notice or understand their body language.

And you're right, feral cats stay quiet for safety, and they have way better hearing than we do. I wonder if she can meow, but she's learned to be quiet, so her meows are so soft that you can't hear them? My cat has incredibly soft meows when she wants to wake me up but not my husband. They're like a whisper, and most of the time I don't notice (even if I'm actually awake) unless she also places her paw on me.

She could also be deaf or had a previous illness or injury that affected her vocal cords.

Maybe as she gets used to you, she'll find her voice. 

[countrygirl12]

This cat is a few months old.  Probably not a year yet.  She isn't deaf.  I know she can hear.  She is very skittish.  I think she may get picked on by the other cats.  She is small.  Hate to admit it but I have fed he a couple times.  I also have a deaf cat and he is very vocal and meows SO loud.

My neighbor who also feels sorry for all the feral cats puts food out for them.  She opens her mouth and looks like she is trying to say something.

[UGetPaid]

Not an expert and just throwing in my experiences (which may be in line with what 1imaginary has said) - we have two cats. One female we adopted at two months old nearly ten years ago; the other male we adopted this past summer = he was either feral or abandoned/starved - I am not entirely convinced which. He took to home/indoor life like a fish to water and can be fairly affectionate, but still a little bit bitey and scratchy aggressive. After several months in our house he does not act at all like he wants to go outside.


Our girl has always been very vocal. Her new brother has never meowed once that I can recall. A few times he has given a silent open mouthed meow kind of like what countrygirl described. Although I've never heard a 'meow' he very often makes purr-chirps - especially when he is antagonizing the other one trying to get a reaction out of her.

[countrygirl12]

See, I think maybe they can be.  Maybe something happened to this cat's vocal cords.  From what I have been able to find out it is not common for them to not be able to meow at all.  But it sure seems like she is trying.  When I really noticed it she was a few feet from me and had jumped down off my vehicle.  I assumed she was asking for something to eat and against my better judgement I told her to go in to the back yard and I would feed her.  When I went through the house and out the back door there she sat.  So obviously her understanding skills are not lacking. haha

I can't bring her inside.  Also don't want to get too attached.  Too great a chance she won't be around long.  And she goes to a few different houses.  I may put something out every now and then though if she acts hungry.  I have a place she knows to look I can put scraps instead of throwing in the trash.  We also have coyotes so she needs to be on her guard.

[countrygirl12]

SHE FOUND HER VOICE!  I don't see her much. I think she belongs to the crazy lady down the road.  But the cat was in the back yard and when I went inside she came on the porch and actually meowed.  I should not admit this especially publicly but I did give her a little something to eat. lol  The woman who owns her has probably 25-30 and some of them don't get a lot to eat.  I have noticed this rat looks like she is getting fat so she is either pregnant or too many other neighbors feel sorry for her. haha  I know at least 2 have outdoor cats and they just free feed and put out quite a bit and other kitties in the neighborhood eat it.  Mine are all inside all the time.