Consider who your furry friend is talking to. Kittens meow to their mothers when they’re hungry. But once a cat reaches maturity, they meow to the humans in their life instead of other cats. This makes sense – kittens need their mothers to have their physical needs met while adult cats rely on their pet parents, or pet sitter. If a cat is upset with another feline, their vocalizations may sound more like crying or yowling. Telling the difference between crying and meowing also means finding out more information. You’ll need to judge whether your cat is in distress for some reason, or if they just want a little more attention.