Kitten Making Noises While Eating

Kittens have lots of odd behaviors and making noises while eating may be one of them. If this is something that you have noticed with your own cat, you may be wondering what this means. Is it normal for a kitten to make this sound?

There are a couple of different reasons why your kitten may be making noises while she is eating. To understand whether this is something that you should be concerned about or now, check out the information below:

Cats and Vocalizations

If you have had cats in the past, then you know that they do more than just meow. In fact, cats use a host of sounds such as:

• Chirping and trilling
• Purring
• Howling and yowling
• Chattering and twittering

These sounds are how your cat vocalizes. And, each sound has its own meaning. For instance, a meow can mean a reminder, greeting, or an objection for you. Chirping and trilling, on the other hand, is an invitation to figure out what your cat wants you to do for them.

Why Does Your Kitten Make Noise While Eating?

So, if your kitten is making noises, it could be for the following reasons:

Nom Nom Indicates Satisfaction

Does your kitten make “nom nom” sounds or some version of this? Well, this is usually an indication that your kitten is really happy with the food that they are eating. Either they are munching down on their favorite kibble or they are thrilled that it is finally mealtime.

Regardless, it is a good sign. If your kitten makes satisfied sounds while eating, then you typically have nothing to worry about. Of course, the actual contented sounds can vary quite a bit from one kitten to another. It should be fairly obvious if your kitten is happy or not about the situation, though.

Purring is Usually a Good Sign

The same can be said for if your cat is purring while eating. As you are probably aware, purring is a sign of content. It means that your kitten is calm and happy with how things are going for them. It should be noted, though, that cats can also purr when they are in pain or distress.

Due to this, it is a good idea to keep an eye on the purring. Does your kitty purr all the time or only on occasion like when they are eating? If it is constant, this behavior may warrant a trip to the vet. Occasionally purring, however, means your cat is fine and that they are really enjoying their mealtime.

Growling Can Indicate Competition

Does your kitten growl while they are eating? If so, it means that they feel like they are competing for resources. You may often notice this behavior when there are other cats or kittens around. Your kitten is making those sounds to ward off anyone who is trying to steal their food.

In some cases, kittens may growl even when other animals aren’t around. This is because they are perceiving a threat even when there is no one around.

Is Your Kitten Making Grinding Noises While Eating?

If your kitten is making grinding noises while eating, then this is something to be concerned about. It is usually an indication of pain. The most common reason is a dental issue. At the same time, kittens may grind their teeth when experiencing abdominal, gastrointestinal, or even neurological discomfort.

In case you do notice this behavior, it is a good idea to take your kitten for a check-up to the vet. This should help you to get to the root cause of the problem and get the treatment needed. Even if you just suspect teething or oral issues, it is important to have your kitten looked at by a professional.

In many instances, gum and tooth issues can cause a host of other issues in your kitten. Treating the problem as soon as possible can help to prevent this.

What Should You Do?

It is quite likely that your kitten making noises while eating isn’t anything to be concerned about. However, it is important to keep an eye on your cat and make sure that nothing else is wrong. Here are a few things that you should be watching out for:

Constant Meowing During and After Food

If your kitten is meowing constantly, both during and after their meal, then this could be a sign of comfort. Yes, some cats are more vocal than others, but consistent meowing can also signal that your kitten is in pain.

Due to this, it is a good idea to visit a vet. They will be able to perform a full body check-up and may run some tests to see if there are any internal issues or illnesses to worry about. In this instance, it is better to be safe than sorry!

Keep an Eye on Body Language

If your kitten is growling while they are eating and is displaying aggressive or frightened behavior, then it may be cause for concern. It means that your kitten doesn’t feel safe, especially while they are eating. Thus, it is important to put them at ease.

Now, if you do have other animals, it may be helpful to isolate your kitten while they are eating. Keep them in a separate room or far away from the other animals. This may give them peace of mind that no one is going to steal their food.

You may want to hang around them while they are eating as well – unless this makes them nervous. Some kittens feel comforted by their owners being around and may calm down.

If all these tactics fail, a visit to the vet may be in order. They may help you to come up with a few strategies that could help your kitten to feel a little calmer during mealtime.

This is what you need to know about kittens making noises while eating. In most cases, this pretty harmless behavior. However, it is a good idea to stay on top of the situation from day one. This will give you a clearer idea of whether or not this is something you need to be concerned with.