Cats respond to kissing noises because these short, high-pitched sounds closely mimic the types of calls that naturally grab a cat’s attention, from prey animals to the contact calls cats use with each other. The combination of acoustic properties and learned positive associations makes the “pssp pssp” or kissing sound one of the most reliable ways to get a cat to look your way or come closer.
What Cats Hear in a Kissing Noise
A kissing or lip-smacking sound is a brief, sharp burst of noise created by air passing through pursed lips. It contains a mix of frequencies, including high-pitched components that fall squarely in the range where cats hear best. Domestic cats can detect sounds from 48 Hz all the way up to 85 kHz, one of the broadest hearing ranges among mammals. For comparison, human hearing tops out around 20 kHz. That means cats are especially tuned in to high-frequency sounds that we barely notice or can’t hear at all.
The quick, repetitive quality of a kissing noise matters too. It’s not a sustained drone or a low rumble. It’s a crisp, percussive pop that stands out from background noise. Cats are wired to notice exactly this kind of sound: short, high-pitched, and slightly irregular. In the wild, those acoustic properties signal something worth investigating.
It Sounds Like Prey
Small rodents communicate using high-frequency vocalizations, many of which fall between 30 and 90 kHz. Neonatal mice produce whistle-like calls in that same range, and even their lower-frequency calls can reach up to 20 kHz. While a human kissing noise doesn’t hit ultrasonic frequencies, its sharp, squeaky quality overlaps enough with the lower end of small-animal sounds to trigger a cat’s predatory curiosity.
Cats already produce their own version of this response. When a cat spots a bird or insect it can’t reach, it often “chatters,” rhythmically clashing its jaws to create a low-amplitude smacking sound. Researchers describe this behavior as triggered by excitement and potentially an attempt to mimic bird vocalizations. Cats also produce chirps, short high-pitched calls similar to bird sounds, when they desire something or want to make contact. A kissing noise from a human taps into this same acoustic territory, activating the part of a cat’s brain that says “something small and interesting is happening.”
Cats Learn That These Sounds Mean Good Things
Predatory instinct gets a cat’s initial attention, but learning is what keeps them responding over time. Cats are excellent at forming associations between specific sounds and outcomes. If you make a kissing noise before feeding your cat, greeting them, or giving them a scratch behind the ears, the sound quickly becomes a reliable predictor of something pleasant.
A 2023 study on human-cat communication found that cats respond to vocal cues even without any visual signals. In the experiment, a person called cats using their name alternated with “cat-specific calling noises” (described as a kind of “pff pff” sound commonly used in France to summon cats) while deliberately avoiding eye contact or hand gestures. Cats still approached. The researchers noted that in familiar relationships, cats may actually put more emphasis on vocal cues than visual ones. With an unfamiliar person, cats rely more on body language, but with someone they know, sound alone is enough.
This is classical conditioning at work. The kissing noise starts as a neutral stimulus. After repeated pairing with treats, affection, or feeding time, the sound itself triggers the cat’s expectation of a reward. Many cat owners unknowingly train this response simply by making the noise whenever they interact positively with their cat.
Why Kissing Noises Work Better Than Calling a Cat’s Name
You’ve probably noticed that a kissing or clicking sound often gets a faster response from a cat than saying their name. There are a few reasons for this. First, the acoustic profile is more attention-grabbing. A kissing noise is high-pitched and percussive, cutting through ambient sound more effectively than a spoken word. Human speech, even when directed at a cat, contains a lot of lower-frequency information that doesn’t stand out as sharply to feline ears.
Second, kissing noises are more consistent. When you say a cat’s name, your tone, volume, and inflection change depending on your mood and context. Sometimes you say it sternly, sometimes casually. A kissing noise sounds roughly the same every time, making it a more reliable cue. Cats learn consistent signals faster than variable ones.
Third, the sound is universally used across cultures to attract cats, which suggests something deeper than training. People in France use “pff pff,” people in English-speaking countries use “pssp pssp” or kissing sounds, and variations exist worldwide. The common thread is a short, sibilant, high-frequency noise. Humans seem to have independently discovered that this type of sound gets cats’ attention, likely because it aligns with the acoustic features cats are already primed to notice.
Not Every Cat Responds the Same Way
Some cats will trot over immediately when they hear a kissing noise. Others will flick an ear, glance in your direction, and go back to sleep. The difference comes down to personality, past experience, and the specific relationship between the cat and the person making the sound.
Cats that have been consistently rewarded after hearing kissing noises tend to respond more reliably. Cats that are more food-motivated or social by temperament will also react more strongly. On the other hand, a cat that has never formed a positive association with the sound, or one that’s naturally more independent, may acknowledge it without acting on it. The ear flick alone, though, still tells you the cat heard and processed the sound. Even an apparently indifferent cat is paying more attention than it lets on.
Context also matters. A relaxed cat in a familiar environment is more likely to approach than a stressed or frightened cat. Loud or sudden kissing noises can actually have the opposite effect. Cats have a strong acoustic startle reflex triggered by sharp, unexpected sounds. A hiss or spit, both involuntary feline reactions to surprise, shows how sensitive cats are to sudden bursts of noise. Keeping your kissing sounds soft and repetitive rather than loud and abrupt will get a better response.
How to Use This to Your Advantage
If you want to strengthen your cat’s response to kissing noises, pair the sound consistently with something your cat enjoys. Make the noise right before putting down food, offering a treat, or starting a petting session. Over a few weeks, the association will solidify, and the sound will become a reliable way to get your cat’s attention or call them to you.
Keep the sound gentle and consistent. Two or three soft repetitions work better than a single loud one. And if your cat responds by approaching, always follow through with the reward, at least during the training period. Breaking the association by making the sound without a payoff will weaken the response over time. Cats are pragmatists. They respond to what works in their favor.