The similarity between a cat's cry and a baby's cry is that they share some similar vocal signatures, which is not just a coincidence, but due to their biological and evolutionary background. Here are some reasons that explain why a cat's meow might be considered similar to a baby's crying:
Seeking food or cravings:Cats may signal their need for food or water by making high-pitched, high-pitched meows. This sound may attract attention, triggering concern and response from the owner. Similarly, baby crying is a way to express needs and get attention.
Social Needs:Cats are social creatures, and they may express their needs for their owners or other cats through their meows, especially when seeking attention, interaction, or feeling lonely. Infant crying is also a way for babies to express their social needs and seek comfort.
Evolutionary factors:Feline calls tend to be characterized by high frequency and high-pitchedness, which helps them survive in the wild. In the wild, high-frequency calls are more likely to penetrate the dense vegetation of the forest for long-distance communication. Infant cries have similar survival adaptations and are able to arouse parental alertness and care.
Imitation Needs:Cats may attract the attention of their owners by mimicking the high-pitched tones of human language, especially those that resemble a baby's cry. This imitation can be an act of learning and adaptation, as the owner tends to have a stronger response to this type of sound.
Resonance Space:What cats and babies have in common is that they are both able to make sounds with the help of resonance spaces. Both a cat's throat and a baby's vocal apparatus share some similarities that allow them to produce high-frequency, high-pitched sounds.
Although a cat's meow is similar to a baby's cry, each cat's voice is also unique, and the specific sound characteristics will vary depending on the breed, individual differences, and living environment. This resemblance may be a way for cats to form an emotional bond with humans, making them more likely to get their owner's attention and be cared for.