have more tact

One of my not-so-close friends used to make a lot of animal noises. They probably still do, but seeing as I moved recently I can’t hear them anymore. But to the point. We were both at a part and she started making cat noises. Everyone always used to admire her for her talent; I thought she sounded awful. I had never told her the truth, always agreeing with everyone else. “Oh yes, you sound like a dolphin, that is so cool!” while secretly shuddering in horror. Well, she was making this most particuallary horrible screeching cat sound so I said: “You sound like a dying cat.” She was silent. I attempted to rectify matters, only succeeding in making things worse. “Maybe not a dying cat, just a-erm-sad cat, a very-um-sad cat.”
I need to learn tact.