Meeaaaoow rises like a question mark before dawn. Anyone living with a cat knows their sounds: broken chirrups like greetings, low growls that warn, purrs stitched into sleepy conversation.

“A short, high-pitched meow is your cat’s way of saying hello to you,” says Rubin. She adds that several of these meows strung together could mean “I’m so happy to see you!” or even “Hey, let’s play!” ...

Discover nine common sounds your cat makes and what they reveal about its emotional state, mood, comfort level, and overall well-being at home ...