Cats have over a hundred vocalizations. To the uninitiated (e.g., dog people), it may be hard to tell the difference between some of them. The meow is usually used to solicit attention, ask for
food, request to be let in or out, or as a greeting. The mew, which is a smaller, high-pitched meow, can mean
loneliness or distress. Another common feline vocalization is the trill or chirp, which sounds like the rolling R in Spanish. The trill is a very positive sound that cats typically make to greet people.