If your cat meows before jumping, this post will show you why and what you can do about it.
So, why does my cat meow before jumping? Possible reasons why your cat meows before jumping are that it is trying to get extra attention from you, it is showing its kittens how to jump, or that the movement causes it to make a meow like sound.
There are a number of possible causes and there are some things you can consider when figuring out the main cause. Once you have a good idea of the main cause, it should become easier to figure out what to do about it.
Reasons why your cat meows before jumping
Below are a number of possible causes and what would make each of them more likely to be the main cause.
For your attention
The reason why your cat does it could be that it is trying to get your attention. This would be more likely when your cat is jumping up to you and it does not meow when it is not jumping elsewhere.
To show its kittens how to jump
By meowing, it will get its kittens attention and show them how far they can realistically jump and how to do it. This would be most likely if your cat does it when its kittens are in the area.
The movement causes it to make a meow like sound
It might be the case that your cat is not actually meowing. Rather, it might be making a sound like it is meowing because the act of jumping forces air through their vocal cords. This would be more likely if your cat meows while it is actually in the process of jumping and if it even does it when you are not in the room.
Consider If your cat always meows when it jumps
If your cat does not always meow before it jumps, it would help to consider the timing of when your cat meows. If it only does it sometimes, it might be the case that the timing has something to do with it. For example, if it only does it when you are in the room, it might be the case that it is trying to get your attention or that it has learned that the behavior is rewarded.
What to do about your cat meowing before it jumps
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Let it do it
If your cat does not seem to be doing it due to any issues, the easiest option would be to allow your cat to continue doing it.
Get help
If your cat has been behaving very unusually and it has started meowing a lot suddenly, it would help to take it for a checkup. By doing so, you should be able to get expert advice tailored towards your particular cat and to rule out medical causes.