If you've ever whistled at your cat, or blown a toy whistle, your feline might have given you a rather feisty reaction. Many cats react to whistle-blowing, for good reason: cats have superior hearing skills, and high-pitched sounds often remind them of their high-pitched prey--birds, rodents and other small animals.

Do high-pitched sounds hurt cats?

High-Frequency Sounds

Loud and startling thumps, bangs, and clanks aren't the only noises that can stress cats. High-frequency sounds such as whistling tea kettles and even the sound of our voices can cause anxiety, says Dr. ... Since animals that cats prey on, like mice, communicate in high frequency, this makes sense.

What sounds do cats hate the most?

There are four main categories of sounds that cats hate, including high-frequency sounds: hissing, abrupt sounds, and loud sounds.