Do Cats Cry?
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“Do cats cry?” is a complicated question.
Cats have their own ways of crying, like meowing or moaning, but they don’t cry in the way you might think.
If you see tears streaming down your cat’s face, there’s usually a medical reason for this, not an emotional one.
Since there are many reasons for a crying cat, you’ll likely have to do some digging to figure out what your cat is trying to tell you.
Let’s look at everything you need to know about cat crying and when it might be helpful to check in with your vet.
Key Takeaways
- While cats have emotions, they don't cry the way their human pet parents do.
- If you see tears streaming down your cat’s face, there’s usually an underlying medical issue.
- There are several ways cats “cry” and express their emotions.
Do Cats Have Emotions?
Research shows that cats have emotions, and they can recognize emotions in their companions, too. They don’t express them in the same ways as humans, though.
In other words, a sad cat doesn’t cry tears, and an angry cat doesn’t yell (although they will give you a good hiss).
Instead, they typically express their emotions using subtle, non-verbal cues.
“For example, a cat who is bothered may act aloof and start flicking his tail, indicating irritation. Cats who feel stressed or anxious can hide or tuck their bodies tight,” says Brittany Klesznyski, DVM.
Do Cats Cry Tears?
Cats do have tear ducts and can physically produce tears, but they don’t cry actual, emotional tears like humans do. Typically, they express pain and sadness using other methods of communication.
“They are very good at hiding their emotions so these can be subtle, but a cat experiencing sadness may hide, become distant to the pet parent, eat less, sleep more, and tuck himself tight in a ball,” says Dr. Klesznyski. They may also cry in their own way, by vocalizing (howling or meowing) more.
If you see watery “tears” coming from your cat’s eyes, this is more often due to irritation or an underlying illness.
Types of Cat Crying
While they don’t shed tears, there are other ways cats “cry” and express their emotions. There are many different vocalizations, but some of the most common types of cat crying are:
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Meowing: Meowing is generally a call for attention, according to Dr. Klesznyski. A cat may meow if they’re looking for a meal or seeking attention from you.
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A cat meowing at night may be bored or lonely, especially if they’re shut out of the room.
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Growling/hissing: Growling and hissing are both expressions of displeasure. If a cat is growling or hissing, it means they want to be left alone.
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There could be several reasons for this. Your cat may have reached their limit of interaction/petting in that moment or may have underlying pain or sickness.
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Chirping: Cats chirp as a friendly greeting. They may chirp to greet their pet parents or around other cats they get along well with.
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Purring: Purring is generally a sign that the cat is relaxed and in a friendly mood. However, purring can also be a way to self-soothe when a cat is stressed, in severe pain, or close to death.
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Moaning: Moaning is not as common as the other vocalizations, according to Sandra Mitchell, DVM, DABVP, a veterinarian and the owner of All Creatures Veterinary Services, in Eddington, Maine.
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It can indicate underlying pain or sickness or be used to get the attention of the pet parent or when a cat is feeling anxious.
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Reasons Your Cat’s Crying
Dr. Mitchell says it can be hard not to anthropomorphize behaviors onto our feline companions. In other words, you might think your cat is crying because they’re sad, like humans do. But that’s not generally the case.
So why do cats cry? There are several emotional reasons a cat might cry out in their own way. These include:
If you see tears in your cat’s eyes, there are reasons for that too. These are generally medical reasons, not emotional ones. Some of the most common are:
Because they can’t talk and tell you what’s wrong, it can take a little investigative work to figure out what’s going on with your cat, and whether the issue is medical or emotional.
When To Call Your Vet If Your Cat’s Crying
Often, you can resolve your cat’s vocal crying by rectifying the issue.
For example, if your cat is crying because they’re hungry, feed them. If your cat seems bored, spend more time playing with them.
If all obvious causes for crying have been ruled out, it’s best to see a veterinarian to determine if your cat may have an underlying illness. This is especially true if your cat is displaying other symptoms.
Some other symptoms to watch for are:
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Squinting
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Excessive blinking
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Eye discharge
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Redness
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Excessive pawing at the eyes
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Exposed third eyelid
Do Cats Cry? FAQs
Can cats cry tears when they’re sad?
No, cats don’t cry tears, but they show sadness in their own ways. This includes becoming quieter, more withdrawn, and less likely to engage in their normal activities.
Why does my cat cry tears?
While cats can experience watery eye tears, this is generally due to underlying disease or irritation rather than actual tears like humans, says Dr. Kleszynski.
Cats typically express pain and sadness using nonverbal cues.
Is a cat crying good or bad?
It depends on the type of “cry.” For example, meowing or moaning might indicate stress, boredom, or underlying illness, while chirping and purring can be signs of happiness and greeting.
Should you let a cat cry?
It depends on the reason your cat is crying.
“If you reward your kitty for crying for attention, they learn that crying gets them what they want. This can lead to a frustrating situation when your cat is crying at 2 a.m. for food. However, any cat that is clearly stressed or in pain should be comforted when vocalizing,” says Dr. Mitchell.
