Why does my cat chirp or ‘ek ek ek’?

Videos of cats saying “ek ek ek” have gone viral, but why do some cats make that noise? The fascinating behavior stems from a combination of hunting instinct, cat-to-cat communication, and prey mimicry.

The chirping or ‘ek ek ek” sound can either imitate a bird’s call or sound like a fast, rhythmic clicking, depending on your individual cat. According to Pet MD, “A chirp is a short, high-pitched call that sounds similar to a bird (hence the name). A sequence of chirps is called chirrups.” This makes us wonder: how do cats produce the ‘ek ek ek’ sound? Pet MD also provides an answer for that: “Chattering, also called twittering, is a low smacking sound produced by a rhythmic clashing of the jaws. It is usually voiceless (produced without using the vocal cords).”

So, what causes cats to chirp or ‘ek ek ek’? Experts at Pet MD note that cats first hear the sound in infancy when their mother wants them to gather near her, to know where she is. However, the chirp or ‘ek ek ek’ takes on a very different purpose as cats age. Research from Village Vets reveals that cats chirp when they are hunting, whether it is staring at birds and squirrels out the window or chasing toys that look like prey. Village Vets explains that chirping signals hunting opportunities between cats, and “even those who are the only cat in the household may participate in this behavior because they see you as one of their fellow cats instead.”

Chirps and ‘ek’s also indicate that a cat is extremely excited and focused on their prey. Cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy emphasizes that chirping or the ‘ek ek ek’ likely results from a rush of adrenaline from a cat’s hunting instinct, shown “when a cat says ‘that’s it, got it, zeroed in’” on their prey. While chirping, a cat will often exhibit standard hunting behavior, not moving at all except for the swish of the tail, which sways rapidly in excitement. Jackson Galaxy reacted to a video of a sleeping cat making the ‘ek ek ek’ sound–the kitty was probably dreaming about hunting!

A cat’s chirp can also mask their presence to lure in the birds they hunt. However, domestic cats aren’t the only felines who make noises that mimic their prey. Jackson Galaxy believes the sound is connected to a cat’s “muscle memory” and comes from an ancestral behavior of “the primal cat.” He cites a research breakthrough in which “scientists in the Amazon actually witnessed margays, who are big cats… imitating the sound of a tamarin monkey, which of course then they would hunt.”

The next time your cat chirps or says ‘ek ek ek,’ be proud of your kitty’s tenacity!

Quote of the day: “Never try to outstubborn a cat.” - Robert A. Heinlein

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Sources:

“9 Cat Noises and What They Mean,” Pet MD

https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/cat-noises“Cat Communication 101: Common Reasons for Cat Chirping,” The Village Vets

https://thevillagevets.com/blog/common-reasons-cat-chirping/“Cat Daddy Dictionary: What is Cat Chattering?” Jackson Galaxy

https://www.jacksongalaxy.com/blogs/news/cat-daddy-dictionary-what-is-cat-chattering