Dot makes little noises while asleep

Hi everyone. I've been up most of the night listening to Dot make these little chirping sounds while she sleeps. It's not a meow, more like a rapid, high-pitched trill or chirp. She is a 3-year-old tabby and has always been a bit anxious, especially in new environments.

I know she twitches a bit when she dreams, which I assume is normal, but the vocalization is new to me. I documented her history and what we've tried for her anxiety in this thread: Dot's vet visit and anxiety management. I didn't want to repeat all that here, just wanted to ask if anyone else has noticed their cats doing this? Is this a sign she's distressed or just dreaming about something?

Hello Alex. Based on the description, this is likely related to REM sleep. Cats vocalize during the dream stage, which can include chirping, mewing, or growling. It is generally considered normal unless accompanied by other symptoms. You might find this thread helpful regarding the twitching you mentioned: Twitching during sleep: normal or concerning?.

Please ensure the chirping is not associated with pain, such as when she is being touched. If she is comfortable and eating well, it is likely just a dream.

My Luna does this sometimes. She's 4 and very shy. It usually happens when she's in a deep sleep on a soft blanket. I stopped worrying about it after my vet said it was just her processing the day. Did you ask your vet about the chirping specifically? Or are you waiting to see if it continues?

@kater36 Thanks for the quick response. I appreciate the clinical perspective. I did check the thread you linked, but it mostly focused on the physical twitching. The vocal part is what's keeping me up.

@angela.ross I haven't asked the vet yet because it seemed too minor, but I will if it persists. Dot is actually quite anxious, so I worry that her dreams might be stressful. We've been working on her confidence as outlined in Tips for calming anxious rescue cats. Do you think the anxiety could be manifesting in her sleep vocalizations?

My Rocky (3 gray dsh) makes all sorts of noises. He scratches furniture too, which drives me crazy, but the sleep noises? I think it's just them being cats. As long as he's not screaming or having seizures, I don't worry. If you're really concerned, maybe check out this thread about when to actually worry: Red flags in feline sleep patterns. It lists specific symptoms that need a vet visit.

lol, I thought it was just us. My Salsa (4 dsh) does this constantly. Fleas are a nightmare for her, so I was worried it was itching in her sleep. But she's on the meds now and it's still happening. I think it's just a quirk. I'd say don't stress unless she seems in pain. Maybe look at Nighttime vocalizations in senior cats? Though Dot is young, the principles might be the same.

@lisa_garcia The link you provided is specifically for senior cats, so it may not be entirely applicable to a 3-year-old. However, the distinction between vocalization due to discomfort (like itching or pain) and vocalization due to REM sleep is important.

If Dot is not scratching excessively or showing signs of lethargy, the chirping is likely benign. I recommend keeping a log of when it occurs and if there are any other changes in behavior. If the frequency increases or she becomes difficult to wake, please consult your veterinarian.