Cat lovers know that kitties can have very distinct voices.

I have two cats, and I can always tell which one is “talking” even when I’m not in the room with them. My male cat’s meow is higher-pitched, and he really only makes a sound when he’d like me to open a door so he can steal his sister’s food. My female cat, on the other hand, chats all day long—mainly to ask for treats or to get me to pay attention to her and her toy squirrel.

One family has been caught off guard by their mom’s cat’s meow, which can only be described as “crispy.” In a funny TikTok clip, we hear this senior kitty emit a few vocalizations that make it sound like she’s been a lifelong smoker. Take a listen!

“Sounds like she’s been smoking her whole 14 years of life 😅,” this kitty’s family captions the clip.

Wow, we agree, and so do other viewers.

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“Oh, she has a cwrispy meow,” one person said.

“She sounds like a bug💕,” another person noted.

Yes, but what kind? Any guesses?

Related: Gorgeous Ragdoll Cat Pouts Like a Kid When Mom Leaves for Work

Despite her voice, fans think this kitty looks great for her age.

“She looks so good for 14 years old!” someone commented.

“My cat has a smoker meow, too! She’s 19 years old 😭,” another fan wrote.

So, this makes us wonder: Will this happen to every aging kitty?

Does a Cat’s Meow Change With Age?

It turns out that cats’ voices do change over time. Why? Weakness in the muscles around the larynx can cause that “crispy” sound. If your senior kitty has become more vocal, that can be a sign of dementia. Also, as a cat’s hearing ability decreases, they can no longer hear their meow, and that can change the sound as well.

If you notice a change in your kitty’s voice that’s accompanied by other symptoms, such as loss of appetite or difficulty breathing, these are signs that you should visit your vet.

Fortunately, in this case, it looks like this cat is healthy and content.

This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Feb 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.