25 Most Vocal Cat Breeds That Like to Talk

Here are 25 of the most vocal cats that will keep the conversation going if you let them.

25 Most Vocal Cat Breeds That Like to Talk

One quality that sets Siamese cats apart from others is how much they talk, but they’re not the only cat breed that’s extremely vocal. There are several that seem to have an opinion on just about anything, chatting it up day and night.

While cats generally don’t talk to each other, they do meow, chirp and chatter as a way to communicate with their humans. Vocalizations from a cat can be attention-seeking, an expression of their thoughts or as a way to indicate that something is wrong with them. Talkative cats tend to be outgoing, social and affectionate and more likely to get adopted — in other words, delightful cats to have around once you get used to their constant vocalizations.

Here are 25 of the most vocal cats that will keep the conversation going if you let them.

American Bobtail

Temperament: Sociable, Affectionate, Loving

Weight: 7-16 pounds

Longevity: 13-15 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

Happiness is being around humans for the American bobtail cat. They love their humans, and they’re happy to tell them all about it.

These vocal cats make great companions and, as they’re not super energetic, can be perfectly happy sitting on your lap and hanging out. While talkative, they tend to express themselves in chirps and trills rather than in-your-face meowing.

Balinese

Temperament: Loyal, Friendly, Expressive

Weight: 8-15 pounds

Longevity: 8-13 pounds

What Makes Them So Vocal

Balinese cats are like Siamese cats with longer, silkier coats and softer voices. They love being around their humans and will follow them from room to room, adding their commentary the entire time.

While they’re very social, they can tolerate being left alone from time to time as long as it’s not a regular thing. Warning: Don’t play the “Last Word” game with your Balinese if you don’t like losing.

Bengal

Temperament: Gregarious, Intelligent, Social

Weight: 8-15 pounds

Longevity: 9-15 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

These chatty cats are good at telling you exactly what they need and what you should do to make it happen. Bengals are extremely intelligent, so you need to keep them stimulated by interactive toys, teaching them new things such as tricks or letting them experiment with water.

You don’t want their chattering to go from inquisitive to complaining about their extreme level of boredom.

Birman

Temperament: Playful, Sweet, Outgoing

Weight: 10-12 pounds

Longevity: 13-15 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

Birmans love their humans and not only make good lap cats, but they’re also OK with being picked up. They’re social with everyone and love to be admired and adored.

They’re vocal with a soft voice, and their vocalizations are chirpier than unpleasant yowling. They like deep conversations and plenty of attention, which is why, when they speak, it’s to demand you put your focus back on them.

Burmese

Temperament: Outgoing, Curious, Playful

Weight: 8-12 pounds (male), 6-10 pounds (female)

Longevity: 10-16 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

Not unlike their Siamese ancestors, the Burmese cat enjoys having a good conversation with their humans, but their voices tend to be sweeter and softer than Siamese cats. Burmese cats are very people-oriented, and it’s been noted that they can be almost like puppies, following their person around, ready to sit on their lap and snuggle.

Burmese cats aren’t ones to keep silent, for they’ll always let you know what’s on their mind.

Colorpoint Shorthair

Temperament: Friendly, Playful, Affectionate

Weight: 6-14 pounds

Longevity: 8-12 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

Colorpoint shorthair cats love to play, have quality time with their humans and snuggle, but most of all, they want to have fun. If they’re in the mood to play, you best believe they’ll let you know with their loud and very distinctive meow.

It’s a good thing they’re so friendly, for they’ll share their thoughts and opinions with anyone who’ll listen.

Devon Rex

Temperament: Entertaining, Social, Affectionate

Weight: 6-9 pounds

Longevity: 9-15 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

Devon Rex cats thrive on attention and will practically jump through hoops to get it. They’re especially vocal when they feel it necessary to remind you to feed them.

They aren’t solitary beings, either, as they love and need company. If they’re upset because they’ve been left alone, they’ll whip themselves up into a frenzy and end up howling, yowling and caterwauling.

Japanese Bobtail

Temperament: Outgoing, Quirky, Intelligent

Weight: 7-10 pounds (male), 5-7 pounds (female)

Longevity: 15-18 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

Family is everything to the Japanese bobtail, and they want to be included in any family meetings and discussions. Yes, they have opinions, and they’re ready to share them.

They have a definite gift for the gab. The good news is, while they’re talkative, their vocalizations tend not to morph into shrill or jarring cries.

Korat

Temperament: Thoughtful, Laid Back, Affectionate

Weight: 6-10 pounds

Longevity: 10-15 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

While the Korat is a fairly calm cat, they get startled when they hear loud or unfamiliar noises. They’re very loving and will follow their people around rather than be by themselves.

They’re not blabbermouths and tend to communicate by making sounds such as chirps, trills and meows when they want to get their point across or let you know what they need.

Kurilian Bobtail

Temperament: Sweet, Gentle, Friendly

Weight: 8-15 pounds

Longevity: 15-20 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

Kurilian Bobtails are easy to live with and fun to be around. They love learning new things, and since they’re extremely intelligent, they catch on quickly.

They communicate with sound but use chirps, trills and feline warbles rather than full-on meows. They have their own way of getting their messages across, and so far, they haven’t had any complaints.

Maine Coon

Temperament: Loyal, Loving, Sociable

Weight: 6-18 pounds

Longevity: 10-13 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

Maine Coons fully expect to be part of the family and need to be included in all decision-making. For such a large cat, you might expect them to have a loud booming voice to match their size, but instead, their voice tends to be soft and sweet.

They’re chatty without being rowdy and mainly communicate with gentle meows, chirps and peeps.

Manx

Temperament: Sweet-tempered, Affectionate, Friendly

Weight: 8-12 pounds

Longevity: 9-13 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

Manx cats have one of the most distinctive voices. It may be challenging to interpret their rolling trill, but they’re most likely telling you how much they love you or some other important piece of information.

Manx cats are chatterboxes, and they especially like to vocalize when they’re up high, peering down on their humans.

Ocicat

Temperament: Curious, Social, Affectionate

Weight: 10-15 pounds (male), 7-12 pounds (female)

Longevity: 12-18 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

Ocicats have energy for days and the personality to match. Their curious nature needs plenty of stimulation, and what’s more intriguing than questioning someone you just met about their life?

If Ocicats were human, they’d make very good interviewers, as they’re so chatty and outgoing. What they don’t like is being left alone without having anyone to talk to.

Oriental Shorthair

Temperament: Loyal, Intelligent, Social

Weight: 8-10 pounds

Longevity: 10-15 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

Oriental shorthairs can live with almost anyone as long as they get the respect and attention they feel they deserve. They are intelligent and can overcome small challenges such as opening a bag or finding hidden catnip.

When you live with an Oriental shorthair, you get used to hearing their raspy voice commenting on what you’re doing right or wrong and offering suggestions. After all, they enjoy conversations and will expect you to respond.

Peterbald

Temperament: Outgoing, Playful, Social

Weight: 8-10 pounds (male), 6-8 pounds (female)

Longevity: 12-15 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

Peterbald cats aren’t loners, as they crave interaction with their humans and are social with almost anyone that crosses their path. They’re smart enough to learn tricks, and they have the energy of a puppy, so they’ll keep you entertained.

They tend to use their voices to communicate with their humans and can be quite insistent if they feel they’re not being understood.

Ragdoll

Temperament: Tolerant, Charming, Intelligent

Weight: 20 pounds or less (male), 10-15 (female)

Longevity: 13-15 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

Ragdoll cats have a reputation for being quiet and docile. However, they can be quite talkative when they’re excited or have to get across their needs. Their soft sweet voice matches their personality.

If you’re not adept at Ragdoll speak, you should know that a quick meow is a greeting, a series of meows is their way of saying they’re excited to see you, and a drawn-out meow is a demand for food or attention.

Russian Blue

Temperament: Affectionate, Mellow, Intelligent

Weight: 7-12 pounds

Longevity: 15-20 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

Russian blue cats aren’t motor-mouths, but when they’re excited, over-stimulated or encouraged to speak by a family member, they can be quite vocal. They won’t start a conversation, but if you talk to them, they’ll talk back.

If a Russian Blue doesn’t feel they have your attention, they’ll also make some noise to get it and won’t let you off the hook until they’re satisfied.

Siamese

Temperament: Social, Intelligent, Playful

Weight: 6-14 pounds

Longevity: 8-12 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

Siamese cats are hands down the most talkative breed. If you don’t know where your Siamese cat is, just follow the sound of their voice, which is a distinctive mix of wailing and yowling, also known as caterwauling.

Be careful about getting into a conversation with them, for they’ll demand you give them your undivided attention while they lecture you.

Siberian

Temperament: Delightful, Affectionate, Personable

Weight: 10-20 pounds

Longevity: 10-18 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

Siberian cats vocalize using sweet-sounding meows, warbling sounds, twitters and chirps. Their voice is as large as their body, and their sweet, quiet voice grows in intensity when they’re lonely.

They thrive on interaction with their people, and they’re always ready to dialogue because it’s a given they have plenty to say.

Siberian Forest Cat

Temperament: Affectionate, Outgoing, Energetic

Weight: 10-20 pounds

Longevity: 10-18 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

Siberian forest cats will be waiting for you when you come home from work. Once you step through the door, the commentary begins as they follow you from room to room, talking the entire time.

They have quite the collection of sounds, including melodic meows, impressive trills and upbeat chirps at their disposal to help them get their point across.

Singapura

Temperament: Playful, Happy, Affectionate

Weight: 4-8 pounds

Longevity: 11-15 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

Singapuras are small in stature but large in talkativeness. Since they’re very social, they don’t do well being alone for long periods, so if you’re not home a lot, make sure your Singapura has an animal friend.

This small kitty is very curious, and it’s hard for them not to talk a mile a minute — they have so many questions which require answers.

Sphynx

Temperament: Silly, Devoted, Extroverted

Weight: 6-12 pounds

Longevity: 9-15 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

Sphynx cats will start talking the moment you walk into the room. They want all of your attention, and they want it now. They expect you to ask them about what’s happening in their life and, at the same time, give them lots of love and affection.

They’re always cold, so heaven for them is cuddling under the covers and sharing secrets making them the perfect slumber-party cat.

Tonkinese

Temperament: Loving, Smart, Bold

Weight: 6-12 pounds

Longevity: 12-16 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

The Tonkinese cat loves to talk all the time. Well, what do you expect from a cat that’s a cross between the two most talkative breeds, the Siamese and the Burmese? They’ll captivate you with their sparkling conversation and will expect you to respond.

After all, it does take two to have a conversation, and the Tonkinese is counting on you to be an active participant.

Turkish Angora

Temperament: Noble, Intelligent, Mischievous

Weight: 8-15 pounds

Longevity: 9-14 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

There are three things that Turkish Angora cats love: climbing, playing with water and chatting with anyone who’ll listen. When they’re naughty, which happens on a semi-regular basis, they’ll come clean and tell you all about it.

They sometimes have trouble with their hearing and can’t hear how loud they are, so they’ll turn up the volume of their voice even higher.

Turkish Van

Temperament: Energetic, Sociable, Playful

Weight: 10-20 pounds

Longevity: 12-17 years

What Makes Them So Vocal

These beautiful chatterboxes are easy to train and will learn how to play fetch, walk on a leash and solve problems. They’re athletic but not graceful, as they can be a bit clumsy.

They’re not lap cats, but they’ll sit next to you and have a one-on-one conversation. Turkish Van cats enjoy hearing their own voices and tend to be noisiest at night when their humans are trying to sleep — because, why not?