This simple sound might just be the Rosetta Stone of interspecies communication, cutting through feline indifference. Here, experts explain why cats respond to pspsps.
Why Do Cats Respond to “Pspsps”?
Cats might walk away mid-cuddle or refuse to come when called—unless you say the magic word: “pspsps.” It’s a silly sound, but cat owners swear by it. And while it might seem like an internet joke, there’s real science behind why cats respond to pspsps.
From their extraordinary hearing range to the way certain sounds mimic prey or familiar cues, cats are wired to notice odd, high-frequency noises like this one. To find out more, I turned to three researchers who are experts in in feline behavior and cat-human communication. Ahead, we’ll explore what makes pspsps so irresistible, what experts say about feline sound sensitivity and how understanding the way your cat reacts to sound reveals more than you’d expect.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more pets, humor, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.
Does pspsps actually attract cats’ attention?
Whenever I need to beckon a cat (a need that arises often), the pspsps sound has never failed me. It’s a tried and true head-turner—and more importantly, an ear-turner. I’ve never met a cat that didn’t hear it and glance back at me. For a species often admired (and occasionally feared) for its total indifference to human needs, responding to pspsps feels like a rare crack in their aloof persona. Then again, considering the goofy things we do just to get their attention, maybe we’re the ones who should feel embarrassed. Still, I’m amazed at how reliably pspsps works. It’s basically sonic catnip.
But I’m not the only one who’s seen firsthand the effect of pspsps on a cat. The quirks of cat-human communication have long dominated internet culture, turning the noise into both a scientific curiosity and a meme-worthy shared experience.
One 2020 Reddit post about the sound has racked up over 16,000 upvotes and nearly 2,000 comments. Clearly, we all know this sound, and we know it works.
Where did pspsps come from?
According to Péter Pongrácz, PhD, professor of ethology at Eötvös Loránd University, “people developed long ago these types of cat-calling noises that we learn culturally from our parents, grandparents, etc.—always [in] that language, which is our mother tongue.”
It’s likely that pspsps has roots in English, possibly evolving from the phrase “Here, pussy, pussy, pussy.” The Western swing band The Light Crust Doughboys helped popularize it with their 1938 jukebox hit “Pussy, Pussy, Pussy,” a song about a girl trying to find her lost cat. The phrase even appeared in a 1955 episode of Tom and Jerry, when Nibbles, Jerry’s protégé, used it in an attempt to draw out Tom.
Pspsps is probably just an abridged version of “Here, pussy, pussy, pussy” with only the important sounds—the sounds that work—preserved. But why do certain sounds work on cats? Let’s explore.
Why do cats respond to pspsps?
The fact that “Here, pussy, pussy, pussy” and the now-popular pspsps have endured isn’t a coincidence—there’s an auditory blueprint behind their effectiveness.
Susanne Schötz, PhD, associate professor of phonetics at Lund University and author of The Secret Language of Cats, notes that the s in pspsps operates at a frequency much higher than most speech sounds, one to which cats are especially sensitive. Unlike humans, who can hear up to 20 kHz, cats can hear sounds up to 85 kHz. This remarkable range is a key part of feline hearing sensitivity, an evolutionary trait that makes sounds like pspsps hard to ignore.
Plus, as Ahna Brutlag, DVM, a veterinarian with the Pet Poison Helpline explains, “it’s an abrupt sound that’s often not encountered in a typical environment; therefore, it’s ‘ear-catching.’”
Rodents communicate at high frequencies, and cats have evolved to detect those sounds. Their large, funnel-shaped ears and compact skulls help them pick up the subtle squeaks of prey they might capture. “High-pitched squeaking vocalizations are roughly approximated by the human ‘hissing’ syllables s, c and ts,” says Pongrácz. That makes the s in pspsps—and in ksksksks, which Schötz also uses to signal her cats in Swedish—a naturally attention-grabbing sound. Once a cat determines that the sound is harmless, curiosity may kick in, and if you’re lucky, they’ll come over to investigate.
Is it OK to use sounds like pspsps to call cats?
For most cats, hearing pspsps isn’t harmful—it’s just an unusual sound that catches their attention. If used sparingly and gently, it can be a playful way to engage your cat, especially if they already associate it with curiosity or interaction.
That said, not every cat will react the same way. Some may ignore it entirely, while others might be startled, especially if the sound is too loud. Use it repetitively, and your cat could ignore it over time. It’s best to use pspsps as an occasional cue, not a constant command.
And as with any communication, it’s best to pay attention to your cat’s personality and body language. A positive tone, patience and respect for their boundaries go a lot further than noise alone.
FAQs
Do all cats respond to the same types of sounds?
No, not all cats respond the same way. Some may perk up instantly at pspsps, while others ignore it completely. The response depends on the cat’s personality, age and previous experiences with sound.
What other sounds attract cats?
Aside from pspsps, cats often respond to high-pitched noises like whistling, kissing sounds or clicking tongues. These sounds resemble the frequencies used by small prey and stand out from everyday human speech.
About the experts
|
Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Péter Pongrácz, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Ethology at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary
- Susanne Schötz, PhD, associate professor of phonetics at Lund University in Sweden and author of The Secret Language of Cats
- Ahna Brutlag, DVM, board-certified veterinary toxicologist and the senior director of veterinary services at Pet Poison Helpline
- Reddit: “How did pspspspsps become the thing we say to cats?”
- YouTube: “Tom and Jerry, 1955”
- Texas State Historical Association: “The Legacy of the Light Crust Doughboys: Pioneers of Western Swing”
