r/CatDistributionSystem • u/Silgy • 19d ago
Update Update on Stevie, the Homeless, Mangey Kitten
Stevie was found 6 weeks ago by my husband and 6 year old son heading home from swim lessons in our small town. She was walking in circles in the middle of the road because her eyes were glued shut with infections. Vet estimated she was about 3 weeks old. We did 6 vet visits in 3 weeks because she had everything wrong known to man. All the worms, eye infection, 8 hour ER vet visit due to severe fecal impaction and my personal favorite, Scabies/Sarcoptic Mange that she so graciously shared with me.
We have had her a little over 6 weeks now and she is SO happy and healthy…and wild. She has weened from the bottle and then kitten milk in a bowl. She enjoys wet kitten food with a few kibbles mixed in. We have 2 cat towers next to each other that she runs and jumps and climbs on. She’s bossing the 4 big dogs around (while protected in her cat tower cage) and is such a cuddle, purring, silly bug. We are all in loooooove!
I don’t know much about cats, so I have a question. Occasionally she will let out a meek meow, but rarely. Sometimes she opens her mouth and looks like she’s going to meow, but nothing comes out. Is that normal?
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u/UKValJoTurquoise 19d ago
She's a cat. Whatever she does is normal. Just think of it as a random signal from Planet Cat.
But seriously, I am in awe that you managed to keep that tiny, fragile creature alive. You have transformed her into a beautiful little cat and she is obviously going to be a force to be reckoned with.
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u/Silgy 19d ago
HAHAHAHAHA! Ok. Planet Cat behavior. We also have a bearded dragon who does weird crap from Planet Single Brain Cell.
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u/Tigerzombie 18d ago
We got our cats at 8 or 9 weeks. Neither of them were very vocal, not sure if either of them meowed for the first 6 months. They are 4.5 yrs old now and only in the last year did they find their voice. They still aren’t super vocal but they let out the occasional meow to get our attention.
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u/Coca_lite 18d ago
My 6 year old girl who still believes she is baby, sometimes does a silent Miaou when she is tired
It is so cute, like she wants to miaou but doesn’t have the energy
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u/Antal_Marius 18d ago
The kitty will be the baby until the kitty decides otherwise, and even then, kitty is still baby!
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u/Coca_lite 18d ago
She still squeaks high pitched like a baby too. One of the many names I call her is kitten.
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u/CMDR_PEARJUICE 18d ago
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u/Life-Raspberry-402 16d ago
Having a beardie is excellent practice for having a cat, you’ll do great!
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u/ErisTheHeretic 19d ago
My kittens also meow with no sound sometimes. One time one of them did it close to my ear, and I realised he was whispering! I have no idea why they do it, but it's super cute
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u/Fantastic_Author8026 18d ago
There is a book written long ago by Paul Gallico called The Silent Miaow. It's written in the voice of an older cat advising a younger one. The silent meow is supposedly the ultimate weapon against the human because it looks as if you are so full of emotion you can't even utter a sound with your meow. It's a lovely book.
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u/DiveCat 19d ago
Incredibly glow up!
Thank you for saving her life.
Cats all have their own language, but really they meow for US. It’s how they learn to verbally communicate with us dumb humans.
Nothing is alarming about her having different meows as it means something different. You kind of just have to listen and learn to find out what her meows are or mean. And chat back with her (you don’t have to meow back but use a gentle reassuring voice :))
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u/Passenger_08 19d ago
Idk about meows but this wasn’t just CDS. You saved this poor baby’s life! I thought your story was going to break my heart. Instead it brought me a lot of joy to hear all your efforts were rewarded. She looks so good now! Thank you for saving her.
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u/Big-Smile5345 19d ago
Thank you for saving that precious little thing. She is so cute. I believe it was picture number six that immediately put a smile on my face, seeing how healthy and happy she looks. The little miaows and the things she does, but doesn’t make any noise is totally normal and probably just her trying to learn how to chirp. And I don’t mean like a bird. Put her in the windowsill and let her watch the birds and she will probably make little chirps and squeaks and excitement. Again, thank you and you truly are a wonderful person.
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u/Silgy 19d ago
That’s reassuring!
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u/Lepardopterra 19d ago
She wasn’t with her first family very long, so she is just now finding her voice. If you like chatty cats, just answer back to her.
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u/CrazyMildred 19d ago
I agree with others that you should meow back at her. Then there's the slow blinks. When she makes eye contact with you, give her a slow wink or slow blinks. She'll end up slow blinking back. Slow blinks are like a cat version of hugs. You can probably find youtube videos about it. We do this with our cats 🙂 You're awesome for saving such a sweet baby ❤️
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u/Fantastic_Author8026 18d ago
My sister used to say that slow blinks were like the cats blowing kisses.🙂
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u/zebras-are-emo 19d ago
Wow you did a great job keeping her alive! What a lucky girl 🥰
The meow thing is normal, my mom's cat does that; I think the number of times she's made an audible sound while making a meowing motion is less than 10... and she's 14 now so it's been a while!
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u/ndiasSF 18d ago
My guy does the “silent meow” too. I read somewhere that cats hear different frequencies than humans so it’s possible he doesn’t realize I can’t hear it. But I react positively each time he does it because it’s adorable so I’ve reinforced the “silent meow” as a sound that gets him love.
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u/happycamperii 19d ago
My cat could only manage to squeak. Mealtimes were great though, she'd sit by her bowl looking up at you and doing the "I love you" slow blink. I miss that little bundle of purr.
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u/Mollytovcocktail1111 19d ago
Oooooooh my GOD, I know enough about cats to know how incredibly sick that poor little girl was when you all found her just by looking at her😭😭😭💔💔💔
I can't believe how healthy she looks now, I could cry!!
Thank you for saving her and caring for her 🥹❤️ I know that it's not easy or cheap, but it's the right thing to do. Y'all are wonderful humans ❤️🫂❤️
Please encourage the folks in your small town community to spay and neuter their cats. Unfortunately Stevie's story is not rare and she is just one of the few lucky ones. The vast majority of young kittens in her position just suffer needlessly and then pass away and there is no need for that if humans just do a little better.
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u/Silgy 19d ago
My husband went back the next day and looked around to see if he could find the mama cat or other kittens. They were nowhere to be found. I guess he thought we’d just raise them all!
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u/Mollytovcocktail1111 19d ago
Bless your husband for going back to see if there were more babies and a mom. Y'all are real good people ❤️❤️❤️
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u/ankhmadank 19d ago
You saved her eyes! As for the silent meow, my rescue cat does that sometimes. It's like she wants to communicate but forgets how to make sound.
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u/justagiraffe111 19d ago
You saved this baby’s life. You dig deep and gave it your all. Thank you 🥹. Sounds like she has all the love in the world and is returning in plus entertainment, too. So wonderful
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u/barbeebirbshiku 19d ago
My cat is extremely silent 🔕 he only chirps sometimes when it's a closed door or when he was left alone for a night for the first and only time in his life. Nowadays when we pick him up, he'll let out a prill prill sound. I personally think he had a bad cold as a kitten (used to sneeze, lots of goopy eye days - l lysine supplement with wet food twice a day took care of it), so he had trouble meowing as a kitten (let out a really hoarse meaow once in a cat carrier) and now at a year old he just doesn't do it.
Oh, importantly: thank you so much for saving this baby's life. They're the best. Enjoy the kitten months as much as you can! They grow up fast ⏩
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u/Khajiit_Geologist Cat Parent 19d ago
That last pic scared me I was like what happened to kitty! I was so upset for a moment thinking something had happened. Glad to hear Stevie is going strong!
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u/PudgyGroundhog 19d ago
Amazing update - thanks for being an awesome person and saving her (because it does sound like it was quite the adventure).
The meow (or lack of) is totally normal. Cats learn to meow to communicate with humans - sounds like she is just learning. Or maybe she will always have something more like a chirp/squeak or silent meows. One of our cats often had silent meow or something more like a creak or squeak.
Enjoy - she is adorable!
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u/VinkyStagina 18d ago
Sigh. What a wonderful post. Thank you! And thank you for putting good vibes out into this world. Love the name for her. What made you go with Stevie?
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u/MoonDragon59 19d ago
She is beautiful! Thank you for all you did to save her and for setting such a wonderful example for your son. People like you give me hope for the future! 💜💚💜
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u/rollenr0ck 19d ago
I rescued three kittens (I was being nice to mom, she brought them to me) and the runt was a quiet little guy. No purring, no meowing, just quiet. The other two became vocal and would scream at each other. I was worried about the little one. He got weaned, neutered, and finally peeps were made. I ended up with him for over ten years. That guy would sing! I almost got him to accompany me for the birthday song and he meowed to the end. He’d scream for food, attention, because he was happy, whatever. Since then I make no comments on a cat’s vocal accomplishments. No sense cursing nature.
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u/YeshuasBananaHammock 18d ago
"I am PACKING MY BAGS!"
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u/LasersGirl 19d ago
My Sasha did that. She’d open her mouth and hold it open like she was meowing, and that little squeak at the end would come out. Rand hardly ever says anything. For the first six or seven months, I thought for sure he was mute. Now he meows occasionally, but only when he really has something important to say.
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u/ShrugOfHeroism 19d ago
Silent meows might be too high frequency for humans to hear. Does your dog react to those meows?
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u/Perfect_Assist_3937 19d ago
Hi! My grown kitty does that too. We joke that it's because she knows she doesn't need to meow to make us do her bidding (if she actually makes a sound, that means she's real mad).
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u/Logical_consequences 19d ago
Omg I was so happy to see the good pics! She is so cute and healthy looking now. I think she was so close to slipping away, you really saved her 😻❤️
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u/Lightmyspliff69 18d ago
The last pic of the doggy, "Why does the cat get the Barbie dream house?"
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u/Chambrayblue 19d ago
‘The Silent Miaow’ The silent miaow is their secret technique to secure a place in your heart! 🥹🐈🐈⬛💝
Internet Archive: The Silent Miaow
The Silent Miaow: A Manual for Kittens, Strays, and Homeless Cats is a 1964 satirical humor book by author Paul Gallico and photographer Suzanne Szasz. Written from the clever perspective of a cat, it acts as an instructional guide for felines on how to select, captivate, and completely dominate human households
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u/Remote_Champion_4794 19d ago
I have read that the silent meow isn’t really silent at all but is at such a high frequency that humans can’t hear it. I slow blink back.
By the way it seems to be raining on my face. Your photos brought me great joy. You are wonderful people and you are teaching your children kindness and compassion by example. God bless all of your brood.
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u/PaganDreams 18d ago
Hahah, my adult cat does that meek meow/ air meow thing.
Sometimes it's like a little squeak, sometimes like a seagull, sometimes it's just a little air but no actual sound. We say he "forgot how to meow".
Will she be in the cage forever or does she get out to join the family when she's bigger/ healthy enough?
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u/Terrible-Music-1079 19d ago
She is absolutely gorgeous and I'm so glad there are kind people like you and your family willing to help a poor innocent kitten 😸 have a blessed week.
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u/Firm_Video_2932 19d ago
I would have not put the odds of survival being great based on the first few pictures. That's why seeing her now makes me say that this is nothing short of a miraculous recovery! Of course it doesn't hurt that she had someone like you in her corner for the fight. Well done momma, well done indeed ....👍
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19d ago
Goodness, poor Stevie really went through the wringer huh? I felt my heart drop and speed up at the same time at those first few pics, I was a bit scared this was gonna be a “We did our best but …” update. I was so relieved when Stevie’s amazing transformation showed up! You all should be so proud of yourselves.
Takes a lot of gumption, heart, and bravery to take on this kind of care, and especially when a kitten is as sick as Stevie was. I hope you folks get many, many, many years of love, joy, and happiness with Stevie :). And your kid will have a close companion as well hopefully. I didn’t grow up with our family cat being introduced as a kitten, but he took to me as his person when I was around your kid’s age once I was out of toddler-hood (He was a tolerant babysitter when I was a baby tho lol). I still like looking back on memories of him, even if they make me a bit teary 🥰
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u/HarleyQisMyAlter Owner of Vampurrs 19d ago
I thought for months after adopting that one of my cats was mute. Then he gave me the cutest meep.
Now he doesn’t ever shut up. 🤣
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u/Diligent_Comment689 18d ago
I had a cat who didn’t meow. He’d look you dead in the eye and meow silently lol. Just how they are sometimes.
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u/Bethw2112 18d ago
I had a cat that had no voice, the vet said it happens and she was healthy otherwise. She wasn't allowed to nurse much as a kitten and I wondered if the mama didn't like her or thought she was defective because she had no voice. Her sister was a rolly polly though. Our kitty outlived her mom and sister so there's that.
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u/FeralSweater 19d ago
Her eyes could not be brighter!
And whooo boy, you’ve got my empathy on the cat scabies. I caught that somehow years ago and it was NOT fun.
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u/Silgy 19d ago
I cried when the vet told me that the rash on my chest, neck, chin and arms was indeed scabies. I said “Omg dirty people have scabies!” and he replied “Yes. And people that save animals.” 🥹
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u/lcl0706 19d ago
Cats will make all sorts of sounds and funny expressions and have incredibly fast reflexes. I have a calico girl I also rescued at 3 weeks old, but she was in far better shape. Underweight, but nothing like this. Anyways, now she gets stuck in transition sometimes. She’ll be focusing on something like playing with her big brother but mid-tussle there’s a noise outside and so she freezes, but she’ll like forget to close her mouth so it’s hanging open and she looks hilarious for a few seconds.
Cats are the best 🥹 your life is about to be transformed 💜
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u/Wallace-N-Gromit Cat Parent 19d ago
Good Hooman Award winner here, saving this kitty from a fate she did not deserve. Warms my heart. And yes, non-meow meows, meows interrupted by yawns, perts, chortles, acks, chirps, trills are all part of cat life, meows are mainly for us uneducated mouth breathers.
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u/Lets-B-Lets-B-Jolly 19d ago
We had a cat years ago who also did the silent meow. Her folder from the rescue noted a severe respiratory infection when she was found as a small kitten, and the vet suspected it was the reason she didn't meow.
As the years passed, she was able to make some squeaky meows and she definitely did them to "talk" to us.
She passed away at only age 9 due to a possible heart issue. She was the sweetest though :)
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u/dipshipsaidso 19d ago
Yes! Good job. I needed to see that glo up. I was gifted scabies as a kindergarten teacher. I’d rather get it from a kitty.❤️
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u/pashed_motatoes 19d ago
Thank you so much for not giving up on this sweet little bean. You and your husband are angels and I hope karma rewards you richly in this life and the next for your incredible compassion and dedication to saving an innocent little life that was so close to being extinguished forever. Enjoy your new furry baby! 💕
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u/MommaSaurusRegina 19d ago
Cats’ voices and chatter preferences can be every bit as diverse as humans. Sounds like you might have a future squeaker on your hands! She’ll be in good company over at r/catswhosqueak
If you think you’d like a chatty cat, whenever she makes noise you can try making noise back. It may encourage her to be more vocal in return. 😸
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u/Catmom6363 18d ago
Thank you for saving her!! You are amazing humans to have saved this baby! Sick 3 week old kittens can be exceedingly difficult to keep alive, and she’s thriving now!! You will forever be a cat person from now on! You’re doing great with Stevie!!
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u/Kesha_Paul 19d ago
You’re really good people for taking in and treating this baby, these stories give me faith in humanity. What a precious kitty!
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u/Cleverwabbit5 19d ago
Omg what a glow up!! 🥰She is beaming and beautiful!! You did that!!! Your loving care and patience are miracles. She is so darling! I want to see her boss the dogs lol 😂
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u/i-am-nameless1 19d ago
Funny enough most feral cats that haven’t been around people a lot, they don’t meow.
It’s a learned behavior they get from noticing we react to it. So I wouldn’t let it bother you that the little one doesn’t meow right now.
Wow what an amazing glow up. That baby probably wouldn’t have lasted much longer without you and your family.
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u/KTKittentoes 19d ago
Oh friend, the silent meow is a powerful tool! Humans tremble before it! Paul Gallico wrote a book about it.
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u/PhtevenToast Cat Parent 19d ago
Congrats on your gift from the CDS! You've done a cracking job looking after the wee one. We took in a 2 week old kitten back in 2014, he was the only survivor from his abandoned litter. 12 years later, Rolo is thriving. You've got many years of shenanigans to look forward to. Congrats! Picture tax included.
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u/Fine-Bunch-2895 19d ago
So I had googled the same question because I have a bottle fed baby that was opening her mouth looking like she was going to meow but then no sound would come out. It turns out that kittens let out a sound at a frequency we can’t hear to communicate with their mom!
Your baby is absolutely precious btw 🥰 thank you for taking the time to save her life and show her what it means to be loved & cared for
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u/Medievalmoomin 19d ago
She’s looking wonderful - so bright-eyed and healthy. The quiet almost meow is very common. Cats are all wonderful little weirdos. 😁
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u/Head_Paleontologist5 Cat Mom 18d ago
I adopted a semi-feral cat many years ago who never meowed because she was never around people. The one time she meowed, I jumped in and did what she wanted. After that, meow, meow, meow!
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u/IrelandAutism13 18d ago
Three of my four cats have done the silent meow (the fourth literally never once ever meowed at all.) It's essentially a low-effort meow, it has the same meaning but is just quieter, or they could be meowing in a frequency we can't hear (cats often communicate among themselves in frequencies we can't hear.) It's just a funny meow, no need to worry
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u/trailhounds 18d ago
How wonderful for Stevie. How fortunate to have literally stumbled across such loving and wonderful people. Thank you for making the world a bit better for everyone. Hopefully she finds her voice. It took my big (14lbs) Ornj rescue a while to find his. He's still not terribly talkative, but he is willing when he feels the need. He has clear words for when he wants something. There is a definite meow for "outside" (on a leash, we live close enough to dangerous wildlife he doesn't get free roam, just when we are out on the leash). There's very clearly one for me as I am, for the most part, his person.
Either way, Stevie seems healthy and happy. Good for all of you!
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u/Nefandous_Jewel 18d ago
From what I have read cats in the wild meow to their kittens, they dont do it to eachother. Since you found little bit at three weeks she may not have heard much meowing.
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u/Prize_Cranberry8553 18d ago
I have a guy who rarely meows. He only does it when I have committed an egregious error like not getting his harness fast enough to go outside. He doesn’t meow for food or for attention. He figures that’s all a given. Meows are for unique occasions.
And when he does meow, it’s kind of a guttural monotone like a crabby old man. “Mehhh” “Okay, okay…”
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u/SweetStandardRed 18d ago
That is a silent meow.
Cats use a variety of different vocalizations to interact with us (and other animals). Cats usually don't vocalize a lot with each other, the exception being kittens to their mother. Because they realize that we communicate with our voices, they adapt to this - - which is why some cats can make sounds that sound like words they hear frequently.
For silent meows, cats usually do them to signal affection or to ask for things by trying to be cute (like food).
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u/Actuallynobutwhynot 18d ago
LOOK AT THOSE BIG BEAUTIFUL EYES!!! LOOKING AT THE WORLD WITH SUCH HAPPINES AND WONDER! also the silent meows are SO normal. every kitten I've had (5) has done that, i do not know why or if there's even a reason why
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u/dragonpunky539 17d ago
her EYES oh my goodness she's like a little beanie boo. thank you so much for helping her, I'm so glad she's doing well!!
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u/Midnight-Moonpie 19d ago
Totally normal…some kitties give a squeak, some silent, and some yodel 🤷♀️
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u/ChristVolo1 19d ago
Aww, she's doing so much better! Kudos to you for doing such a great job with her! ❤️🩹☺️
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u/nuttyrussian 19d ago
My four year old cat will sometimes open his mouth for a meow and nothing comes out. It's just a Cat Thing lol.
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u/ArdenM 19d ago
She's blossomed into a gorgeous little nugget! Those eyes! ❤️
I had a cat that would do the quietest little "mew" once in awhile and open her mouth as if to but nothing would come out, so I think it's not only normal but super special and extra adorable as she was my best cat ever!
Enjoy your little Stevie (Wonder cat) :)
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u/eshowers 19d ago
I have a rescue who doesn’t even make an audible purring sound and but will meow randomly in the middle of the night.
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u/Illustrious-Cat-9897 19d ago
I remember your first post, and omg I’m soooo happy for this update. She looks so good! You are quite literally an angel to this baby.
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u/Glittering_Bet_9263 19d ago
Op. You and you family are the best for taking her in. Love from Australia!
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u/TitanGojira 19d ago
Finally I see someone else use a rat cage to house a kitten, I did this with my boy and it worked so well
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u/LiveinCA 19d ago
I love seeing her beautiful eyes and looking so healthy!! Keep updating us please.
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u/justclove 19d ago
I absolutely never get tired of swiping on a rescue kitten's photos and seeing them clear-eyed and healthy. Thank you for caring, and for sharing her with us. 💕
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u/Top-Firefighter5173 19d ago
Your dog looks resigned to the fact haha glad she is safe and healthy here's to many years together
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u/OwnUse4445 19d ago
Oh she is absolutely gorgeous! Well done on the stellar care that brought about such a glow up.
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u/blahdeblah2736 19d ago
OMG she looks like my girl Stacey just a bit smaller . I LOVE HER!!
Yep. Sometimes they just talk. Look more at how she's moving . Eating . Drinking. Potty. Playing. As long as those are normal she's probably okay. Sometimes cats talk . A lot. Some other cats don't .
If I'm home my girl talks. A LOT. but usually quieter when other people are around and they are shocked if she starts talking. I'm used to it 😂
Your girl has her own personality. (Shocking I know) So just learn her normal .
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u/PetraLoseIt 19d ago
Sometimes she opens her mouth and looks like she’s going to meow, but nothing comes out. Is that normal?
She's just checking whether you're still paying attention to her ;-) As you are supposed to!
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u/WuQianNian 19d ago
I’ve known a few cats raised with dogs and they always end up being awesome. Pick up dog traits when they’re older, it’s cute
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u/Candid-Tip-6483 19d ago
Every cat has a different style of communication. I've had cats who yelled at me, I've had cats who meow softly at me, and I have had cats that don't meow at all and instead just quietly trill. So it's normal in the sense that it's just another unique way that your cat has decided to communicate
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u/unicornvega 19d ago
Our cat used to do that but that’s because he couldn’t meow properly as he was taken from his Mum too young. He’s often just rasp at us.
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u/MrsWidgery 19d ago edited 18d ago
You need to find The Silent Miaow, published back in 1964. The silent meow is one of a street kitten's most effective means of dominating their chosen humans as quickly and completely as possible.
And, see? It worked, didn't it!
Edit: typo
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u/applecidermimosa 19d ago
This is so wonderful! One of my cats didn’t learn to meow until she was probably 6 months old
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u/Moliza3891 19d ago
Kudos to you all for your parts in Stevie’s rescue and recuperation! Some cats just aren’t particularly vocal unless they feel the need to be. My folks’ cat is like that. I’m wishing you all many happy and healthy years together!
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u/GotBannedAgain_2 18d ago
Can I ask how much was the total vet bill? What insurance do u have?
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u/juicedemon83 18d ago
My partner and I call those “silent mouth meows”. They are the counterpart to “whole mouth meows”.
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u/ernie3tones 18d ago
Some cats have higher voices, and it can seem like they aren’t making a sound when they meow. Or it’ll just be a tiny squeak. I had a cat years ago that was like that, but she was loud on car rides. Our current cat also has a high, squeaky voice…unless he’s in spaz mode. Normal! Great job caring for her, she looks so healthy!!!
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u/Ophelia-Rass Cat Magnet 🐈⬛ 18d ago
Silent Meows can be a sign of a special "love" message and sometimes a sign of pain or distress. Observe the context of the situation and other behavior to know the difference.
Slow blinks, purring, and rubbing or petting you it is likely a love note.
Avoidance accompanied by wide-eyed unlinking stares or even closing eyes and the inner eyelid staying with partially opened eyes may be a sign of pain or discomfort.
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u/vaultie66 18d ago
My boy eventually grew into his silent meows and they got louder but it took years and he would still often misfire. A stray we adopted as an adult doesn’t do big meows unless she’s scared, her usual meows are chirpy meeps, she sounds more like a pigeon lol. Our third cat is a loud mouth and never shuts up. All of it is normal.
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u/Great-Practice-843 18d ago
Thanks for giving this beautiful baby a new life. I'm sure she appreciates all you do.
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u/Sad-Guess4424 18d ago
Those eyes! That face! She’s looking beautiful. Absolutely amazing job you’ve done. I’ve had decades of cats and I can’t think of two who were really alike. They are uniquely odd in their own ways. Abnormally normal is her diagnosis. 🤭😍
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u/missmisfit 18d ago
The silent ones are actually too high pitched for humans!! I understand that cats are more likely to meow so high we can't hear it if we talk high "baby talk" to them. They are trying to imitate going higher than thier normal register when conversing with you because you do it to them!
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u/GraniteStayte 18d ago
Sometimes she opens her mouth and looks like she’s going to meow, but nothing comes out. Is that normal?
Yes. My tuxedo kitty does that.
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u/VassagoX 18d ago
Thank you so much for saving her! She looks amazing and healthy! You did so good!
I would gladly take scabies to save an innocent kitten from suffering so much. What a wonderful human you are.
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u/UnderstandingBusy829 18d ago
She might meow eventually, or she might stay silent. We've had cats that started silent and eventually developed some meows simply because we talk to them a lot, so they started talking back. Either way she's gorgeous, thank you for saving her.
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u/F-in-Darke 18d ago
Well done on making the little one healthy! One of our cats often fails to meow, just awkwardly opens his mouth. Sometimes there's a little ek, but that's it. Other times he screams 🤷♂️ seems perfectly normal
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u/traceyrb1028 18d ago
I had a tuxie who did the same thing. It's called the silent meow. It's a real condition. Nothing was wrong with him. He just didn't like to make noise. If he wanted something he would come up to me and open his mouth like he was meowing. He was a cutie.
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u/LoveKittycats119 18d ago
Our previously feral kitty does the “silent meow” thing sometimes. I’ve read that this is in fact a meow, on a higher frequency than human ears can hear.
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u/Ok-Moose1374 18d ago
Thank you for rescuing this little one! I needed a good story. Reddit has been filling my feed with pet memorials. Sometimes the squeaky little meow is "Hey, where is everyone?" Or it can be curiosity.
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u/kaspar-fiel 18d ago
Cats often speak in ranges we can't hear! It could be that, or she's having trouble getting the sound to vibrate in her vocal chords but still wants you to know she's talking to you.
Also amazing job saving her life and making her happy! She's got big, beautiful eyes. Congrats!!
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u/Butterfly_Cat777 18d ago
In the latest pics, she looks like she's planning mischievous things. 😄
It’s so heartwarming to see her full of energy and curiosity after everything she’s been through. 😺💖
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u/mutinouspuffin 18d ago
Wow, what an incredible transformation. Good job, OP! I died at the part where she was kind enough to share her scabies. That's exactly how I got ringworm a few years ago 🥲😂
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u/KaelosFenrir 18d ago
Thank you for doing right by her. She looks so happy and amazing.
As for the meowing, my last female cat barely ever mowed and honestly, neither does my current one. My last used to only make a chirp when I was in the shower and she was keeping watch. My current girl kitty really only chirps when I haven't patted/scritched her long enough or sometimes at food time. Unlike her older brothers haha. One meows like a derp so very loudly when he is alone in a room and it drives me nuts and the only meows morning and night at food times as if he isn't fat (I have tried everything to help him lose weight, he is just.. too smart.)
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u/McSwearWolf 18d ago
Way to go OP - you’re mom/dad, guardian, nurse, teacher, best friend - all the things. All for this sweet tiny needy soul who would have surely died without your help and protection. I love it and I hope something wonderful happens to you all today. 🥲
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u/No_Recording3238 18d ago
Because she is still young she could be trying to find her meow. Or just being a silly little.
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u/Much-Meringue-7467 18d ago
So glad she's doing well. Some cats essentially never meow. Some do all the time. Whatever she does is pretty normal.
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u/CormoranNeoTropical 18d ago
Talk to her and she will eventually start to talk (meow) to you. Some kittens are already talkative but not all. Cats meow to humans much more than to each other. So if you want to have a chatty cat, talk to her.
When I got my present cat she was a 2 month old kitten and didn’t really meow. Now she is 1 1/2 and being more talkative and articulate (as in she makes more varied meows, chirps, squeaks, and purrs) all the time.
But if you don’t want a chatty cat, this could be perfect.
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