Why Does My Cat Meow When I Sneeze?

Your cat’s behaviors are always a priority.

That’s why it’s important to understand when your purring means your sneeze is nothing to worry about. Many cats will respond to the sound we make with our breath, performing a facial gesture to express affection.

Your sneeze is your pet’s way of expressing affection. So, why does my cat meow when I sneeze?

Cats don’t have our vocal chords. However, they’ve developed an ability to glean information from our vocalizations.

Your cat does pay attention to what you’re saying and can put two and two together when you sneeze. This reaction could come from your mother’s voice when you coughed as a child or the sound of a friend sneezing across the room.

Your cat recognizes these sounds and is familiar with your reaction based on your vocalizations in the past.

It knows you’re sneezing and that you’re probably OK, so it makes a sound of reassurance and affection to show its support.

Your cat’s meowing is letting you know it’s there to offer support during your sneeze and that it’s OK because it knows you have no ill intent or illness.

Why Does My Cat Meow When I Sneeze?

They Are Responding to a Hiss

A misconception like this is exaggerated in cats’ behavior when their owners sneeze or cough.

When your cat meows after you’ve sneezed or coughed, they’re expressing affection and concern because they associate rare diseases or illnesses with the noise we make when breathing.

Cats often confuse a sneeze for a hiss, and when this happens, they interpret it as a warning that something harmful is nearby, such as a snake or predator.

This misunderstanding may be easily remedied with a pat on the cat’s head after sneezing or coughing.

It’s Possible That the Cat Is Chastising You

It’s possible that your kitty is simply expressing its disapproval with your behavior or is upset that your sneezing interrupted its sleep or playtime.

Some cats get uncomfortable when startled by a sudden noise and meow to express their disapproval of the noise. It’s your cat telling you they’re not ready yet to resume their nap or their playtime session.

Some cats meow when they’re disturbed because they want your attention and want you to know they’re unhappy because they need your help.

Your cat is letting you know that the noise you’re making is disturbing them and when they’re meowing, they’re telling you to stop what you’re doing and pay attention to what’s happening.

The fur and tail of angry cats tend to bristle when they feel threatened and when they attack the hairs erect and stiff but not spiky unlike a whisker or ear hair.

Your Cat Is Trying To Get Out Of The Room

If your cat notices you yawning after sneezing, they may think you’re about to attack them and won’t leave you alone until you do so.

According to feline behaviorists, their wild cat ancestors had a tendency to attack during yawns, so it’s your cat’s way of protecting yourself.

Because cats have acute hearing, they often measure your reaction to your sneezing and yawns to determine if the noises are signs of an attack or a threat and can determine if you’re about to sneeze again.

If your cat hears you sneezing from across the house, they may meow to let you know they’re there and calling your name and waiting for you to respond to them or they may run into the room and rub against you.

They Are Annoyed

When cats are mad at you, they may hiss at you and if you continue on in your sneezing and yawning, they may bite or scratch you to show their displeasure.

To other cats, the noises are certainly a cause for alarm and may cause them to flee the encounter altogether.

When you sneeze, you risk making a lot of mucus which may drip into your cat’s eyes or on to their nose or mouth which could be off-putting.

Instead of being surprised, your cat may come running to you to scratch you and show you how upset they are.

This makes cats meow to express displeasure and to let you know that you’re wrong and to warn you that something harmful is about to happen.

They Are Startled

Sudden bursts of loud, unexpected noises can be very startling for a cat and cause them to react defensively.

This might be why my cat meows when I sneeze because startled cats will suddenly meow and rush at you in defense.

Your cat may get frightened if it is relaxed or sleeping and your sneezing wakes them up.

Because cats are unclear how they respond when they hear a sneeze, they will often think you’re behaving badly or threatening them.

It’s Possible That the Cat Is Imitating Your Actions

Cats are capable of learning sounds and mimicking actions and behaviors around them, so if you sneeze and your cat mimics the action, it could think that you are keeping it safe from danger or harm and is opening.

This reaction to a sneeze might indeed be a recent acquisition or habit learned by their attempts to emulate their owner’s behavior in order to bring them closer to them or to keep them safe around them.

After someone sneezes, we usually say “bless you” or shake our heads in sympathy, but your cat may not understand your intentions and always react defensively.

Your Cat Needs Your Attention

Your cat may also meow when it wants something from you or is asking for attention.

They don’t like it when the sleeping house cat is ignored, but if they are given attention enough, these sudden bursts of noise will make them all the more demanding.

Your cat may be saying, “I’m thirsty” or “I need to go to the bathroom.

This is particularly typical among needy cats.

When your cat meows, you can generally assume that it wants something from you, but it’s always best to play it safe and assume it is asking for something.

It’s Possible That the Cat Is Just Worried About You

It’s also possible that a cat’s meowing is just an instinctive reaction that could be considered kind of natural, because they do not know what else to do when they perceive danger.

Cats, despite their reputation for being aloof and aloof creatures, are surprisingly caring creatures and care about their humans intensely.

A cat’s meow might indicate its distress or worry if it’s hurt or needs something from you.

Also Read: Why Does My Cat Meow When I Cough?

Conclusion

In conclusion, cats and sneezing often go hand in hand, and if your cat meows when you sneeze, it shouldn’t worry you. Your cat is probably just demonstrating affection because it’s there for you and wants to see that you’re fine.

Cats, like humans, have various reactions to different circumstances and sneezes are no exception. My cat meows when my cat sneezes because the noise is familiar because it hears it every day.

Others, on the other hand, might have a less peaceful approach and meow because they care deeply about their cat.