Why Cats Meow, Chirp, Knead, and Zoom: Their Behaviour Explained

Cats often feel like they have a secret language made up of little habits, sounds, and quirks. To the untrained eye, these behaviors can seem confusing (or even bizarre), but once you understand what they are trying to say, you realize your cat is constantly communicating with you.

Kneading, zooming, meowing, and chirping are some of the most common feline behaviors. Each one has a specific instinctive reason behind it. Here is the translation of your cat’s unique language.

1. Kneading (Making Biscuits)

When a cat rhythmically pushes their paws in and out against a soft surface (or your leg), it is often affectionately called "making biscuits."

This behavior stems directly from kittenhood. Nursing kittens knead their mother’s belly to stimulate the flow of milk. While they outgrow the need for milk, they never outgrow the emotional association. When an adult cat kneads, it is a sign of extreme comfort and safety. If they choose to knead on you, take it as a high compliment—it is their way of saying they trust you completely and feel as safe with you as they did with their mother.

2. The Zoomies (FRAPs)

One second your cat is relaxing, and the next they are sprinting across the house like they are late for a very important meeting.

These bursts of chaotic energy are officially known as Frenetic Random Activity Periods (FRAPs). Even lazy indoor cats have dormant hunting instincts. "Zoomies" are their body’s way of burning off built-up energy that isn't being used for hunting prey.

You might notice this happens most often at two specific times:

At Night: Cats are crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk), so their energy spikes when you are winding down.

Post-Litter Box: Many cats feel lighter and relieved after doing their business, triggering a "victory lap" around the house.

3. Meowing: A Human-Only Language

Meowing is one of the most fascinating feline behaviors because adult cats rarely meow at each other. In the wild, cats use scent and body language to communicate. Meowing is a tool they developed almost exclusively to talk to humans.

Your cat has learned that making vocal sounds gets a reaction from you. Over time, they adjust their "vocabulary" to get what they want:

The Short Mew: Usually a casual greeting ("Hello").

The Drawn-Out Meow: A demand, usually for food or an open door.

The Repetitive Meow: Often signals anxiety or a need for attention. It is basically their way of saying, “I know you don’t speak Cat, so let me meet you halfway.”

4. Chirping, Trilling, and Chattering

If you have ever seen your cat staring out the window at a bird or squirrel, you may have heard a strange chattering or clicking sound.

Behaviorists believe this "teeth chattering" is driven by predatory excitement and frustration. It is the sound of their jaw mimicking the kill bite they would use if the glass window wasn't in the way.

However, a soft chirp or trill (a sound halfway between a meow and a purr) is different. Mother cats use this sound to tell kittens to follow them. If your cat trills at you when you walk into a room, it is a very friendly greeting. They are acknowledging you as family and asking you to pay attention to them.

The Bottom Line

When you start to decode these behaviors, your cat suddenly feels less mysterious. They aren't just acting crazy when they zoom, and they aren't just being noisy when they chirp. They are a tiny roommate with very specific instincts, trying their best to tell you how they feel.