What Noises Do Maine Coons Make?

Maine Coon cats are known to be very vocal felines, so anyone planning to bring one home will undoubtedly be keen to know what noises a Maine Coon cat makes!
6 Maine Coon Sounds
Maine Coon cats are very talkative and usually chirp, purr, or trill to express their emotions, desire, and feelings. These vocalizations are a sign of happiness and contentment, but they can also be heard if your Maine Coon is hungry, thirsty, or distressed. A Maine Coon cat will also chirp to garner your attention.
These cats are very vocal and make a wide variety of vocalizations to express their:
- Emotions
- Desires
- Feelings
- Needs
Here are sounds that you will often hear:
1. Chirping
Maine Coons are famous for their chirping, a unique sound that’s a mix between a meow and a trill.
Chirps sound like a soft rolling trill or high-pitched “brrrp” and are sometimes combined with purring or meowing. Unlike a standard cat meow, chirps are short, high-pitched, and often repetitive, resembling the sound of a bird.
Maine Coons chirp for the following reasons:
✔ Excitement & Playfulness – They often chirp when chasing toys, watching birds, or engaging in play.
✔ Communication – Maine Coons “talk” to their owners with chirps, expressing curiosity or asking for attention.
✔ Hunting Instincts – Chirping at birds or small animals is common, mimicking natural wildcat behavior.
✔ Greeting & Affection – Some chirp when they see their humans, almost as if saying “hello!”
✔ Demands & Complaints – If a Maine Coon wants food, playtime, or to go outside, expect insistent chirps.
Unlike other cats that meow for attention, Maine Coons use chirps as part of their friendly and social nature.
2. Trilling
Maine Coons are known for their trilling, a unique, musical sound that falls between a purr and a chirp. It’s a rolling “rrr-oo” or “brrr-up” sound, often used to communicate with its humans and other cats.
A trill sounds as follows:
🔹 A rolling “r-r-r-r-up” or soft vibrating sound
🔹 Can be short and sweet or long and dramatic
🔹 Higher-pitched than a purr but softer than a meow
Reasons why your Maine Coon trills:
✔ Happiness & Excitement – Trilling is a sign of joy, often heard when they greet you or get attention.
✔ Friendly Communication – Unlike regular meows, trilling is a social sound, used to interact rather than demand.
✔ Encouraging You to Follow – Some Maine Coons trill while walking away, as if saying, “Come with me!”
✔ Motherly Instinct – In the wild, mother cats trill to guide their kittens, and Maine Coons keep this habit.
✔ Seeking Affection – If they want head scratches or cuddles, a Maine Coon might trill to get your attention.
If your Maine Coon trills at you, take it as a compliment – it’s their way of saying “I love you!” or “Follow me, human!”
3. Howling
Maine Coons are vocal cats, but if yours is howling, it’s usually a sign that something is wrong or they’re trying to get your attention in a big way.
Unlike their usual chirps and trills, howling is a long, deep, drawn-out wailing sound, often distressed or urgent.
Why Maine Coons howl:
✔ Loneliness or Separation Anxiety – Maine Coons are social cats and may howl when left alone for too long.
✔ Hunger or Demand for Attention – A howling Maine Coon might be demanding food, treats, or playtime.
✔ Pain or Discomfort – If howling is sudden or unusual, check for illness, injury, or conditions like arthritis.
✔ Old Age & Cognitive Decline – Senior Maine Coons may howl due to confusion, disorientation, or feline dementia.
✔ Mating Behavior – If your cat isn’t neutered/spayed, they may howl to attract a mate.
✔ Territorial Reasons – Maine Coons may howl at other cats outside or in response to unfamiliar scents or sounds.
When to be concerned:
🔹 New or excessive howling – Could indicate pain or illness.
🔹 Howling at night – May signal cognitive issues in older cats.
🔹 Paired with other symptoms – Lethargy, loss of appetite, or hiding could mean a vet visit is needed.
A happy, healthy Maine Coon rarely howls unless it’s trying to tell you something important.
4. Crying
Maine Coons are naturally vocal, but if yours is crying, it’s often a sign of distress, discomfort, or a strong demand for attention.
Unlike their usual chirps and trills, crying is a long, sad-sounding meow, sometimes with a wailing or whimpering tone.
Why Maine Coons cry:
✔ Loneliness & Separation Anxiety – Maine Coons form strong bonds and may cry when left alone for too long.
✔ Hunger or Attention-Seeking – Some Maine Coons dramatically cry when they want food, cuddles, or playtime.
✔ Pain or Illness – Sudden excessive crying can indicate injury, arthritis, or an underlying health issue.
✔ Old Age & Cognitive Issues – Senior cats may cry due to confusion or feline dementia, especially at night.
✔ Stress or Anxiety – Changes in routine, a new pet, or loud noises can cause crying.
✔ Mating Calls – If unspayed/unneutered, your Maine Coon may cry to attract a mate.
When to be concerned:
🔹 Crying at night – This could be due to confusion, boredom, or loneliness.
🔹 Excessive or sudden crying – Might indicate pain or illness—consider a vet check.
🔹 Paired with other symptoms – If your cat is also lethargic, hiding, or not eating, something could be wrong.
5. Hissing And Spitting
Maine Coons are known for their gentle and sociable nature, so if one starts hissing or spitting, it usually means they’re feeling threatened, scared, or irritated.
Unlike their usual chirps and trills, hissing is a sharp, snake-like sound, often paired with an arched back, flattened ears, and bared teeth.
Spitting is a short, explosive sound that is an escalated warning, occurring right before a cat attacks or defends itself.
Why Maine Coons hiss or spit:
✔ Fear or Feeling Threatened – A Maine Coon may hiss when startled, cornered, or confronted by a stranger, another pet, or an unfamiliar situation.
✔ Pain or Illness – If a normally friendly Maine Coon suddenly starts hissing when touched, it might be in pain from an injury or medical issue.
✔ Defensive Behavior – If another pet or human invades their space too aggressively, they may hiss as a warning to back off.
✔ Play Gone Too Far – Some cats hiss if playtime gets too rough, signaling that they need a break.
✔ Territorial Aggression – Unneutered males or cats introduced to a new environment may hiss to assert dominance.
✔ Maternal Protection – A mother Maine Coon may hiss or spit to protect her kittens.
When to be concerned:
🔹 Frequent, unprovoked hissing – This could indicate pain, stress, or an underlying medical issue.
🔹 Hissing at a new pet or person – Give them time to adjust, using slow introductions.
🔹 Paired with growling or swatting – Your cat is serious about their warning—proceed with caution!
6. Chattering
Maine Coons are known for their unique vocalizations, and chattering is one of the most fascinating sounds they make. It’s a rapid, clicking noise made by their teeth, often accompanied by a twitching jaw and an intensely focused stare.
Why Maine Coons chatter:
✔ Hunting Instincts Kicking In – Chattering is most commonly heard when a Maine Coon spots birds, squirrels, or other prey through a window. It’s their way of expressing frustration at not being able to pounce!
✔ Excitement & Anticipation – Some cats chatter when they’re excited about playtime, especially if they see a moving toy that mimics prey.
✔ Mimicking a Kill Bite – Some theories suggest that chattering mimics the motion of delivering a fatal neck bite to prey, a behavior seen in wild cats.
✔ Communication – In multi-cat households, chattering can sometimes be a way to signal interest or excitement to other cats.
What chattering sounds like:
🔹 A fast, clicking or chirping noise
🔹 Often combined with whisker twitching and tail flicking
🔹 Usually directed at something just out of reach
When to be concerned:
Chattering is completely normal and not a sign of distress. However, if your Maine Coon suddenly starts chattering excessively without any obvious trigger, it might indicate dental issues or jaw pain, and a vet visit could be needed.
If you are still not too sure what a Maine Coon cat sounds like, make sure you watch this short video, on Youtube, of ‘Pippin’ our male Maine Coon cat talking:
Why Maine Coons Are So Chatty
Below are the key reasons why Maine Coons talk so much:
1. Excited Or Happy
When these cats are happy or excited, they chirp and trill. If they are content, they will purr.
2. Hungry
When your Maine Coon gets hungry, it will remind you that you have become lazy at your role.
3. Thirsty
Maine Coon cats love water and are fascinated by everything about the water. They will tell you when they’re thirsty but have no water!
4. Sick Or In Pain
When your Maine Coon cat is in pain or sick, it will likely make loud and persistent noise.
5. Angry Or Annoyed
Maine Coons have a lot of attitudes and will happily make noise when they get angry. We like to call this ‘catitude’ in our household!
6. Fighting
They make the following sounds when fighting other animals or escaping a predator:
- Hiss
- Spit
- Growl
7. Territorial
When your Maine Coon feels threatened or when it is about to fight another animal, it will almost certainly make a hissing and spitting sound to alert you.