Cats have this reputation of being standoffish and uncaring. Supposedly, they just keep to themselves and only look for their owners when they’re getting hungry.
Here’s the thing though: Cats actually communicate with us a lot.
Sadly, we can’t understand exactly what they are trying to say. As it turns out, meows tend to get lost in translation quite often. Read our article just about this sound.
That doesn’t mean that we have no other option beyond just giving up on ever understanding what our beloved felines are attempting communication. By recognizing just a few vocal patterns and body movements, you will be able to understand your cat’s form of communication.
Catching Up on Your Cat’s Vocal Cues
Let’s start with the cat’s favorite expression: The meow. What exactly does the meow mean?
The thing about the meow is that it’s kind of an all-purpose expression for our feline friends.
According to the Humane Society, a meow can be a simple greeting, a request for more food, a warning that you shouldn’t touch them, or even just the equivalent of your cat making an announcement.
Next up are the howls, and whenever you hear your cat belt out one of these, your ears likely perk up because you’re sensing something wrong. In this case, your senses are kind of right. Howling from a cat is usually a sign of distress, be it of the physical or mental kind.
Look for your cat right away if you hear a howl.
Growls and hisses are also not great. Those sounds tell you that your cat is feeling threatened or perhaps even aggressive. If those hisses are being directed at you, it’s time to stop whatever you’re doing because your cat isn’t happy about it.
The chirp coming from a cat may also be somewhat confusing, but it’s not something to fear. Usually, cats do this if they want you to feed them or, if they’re situated near a window, they may have just seen something outside that caught their eye.
The sound you’re really looking for is the purr. When a cat purrs, this means he/she is feeling comfortable and happy. There are times when purrs are indicators of a possible illness, but those happen infrequently.
Understanding Feline Body Language
Just like us, cats use simple movements of their body and the behaviors they exhibit as a form of communication.
One particular behavior you should pay attention to is your cat urinating or pooping outside of the litter box. This is not just your cat being lazy. According to Pet MD, this behavior could indicate that your cat thinks the litter box is too dirty or he/she may simply prefer a different litter box.
Some cats also have this annoying habit of making noises late at night. They don’t do that just because they want to. Typically, cats behave that way because they want your attention. It could be a sign that they want some food.
Your cats may also rub up against you repeatedly or knead your body. These are good communication signs because they show that your cat is happy and quite fond of you.
As you can see, you don’t need specialized ears to understand your cat. By paying close attention to them, the noises they’re making, and the behavior’s they’re exhibiting, you will already get a pretty good idea of what they are trying to communicate.
Leaving your cat home alone because of work or because you have an important trip is not ideal. TAILored Cat Services’ professional cat sitters will ensure that your feline friends have some company while you’re away. There’s no need for you to worry about your cats howling in despair because we will be there for them while you handle your business. If you’re interested in the work we provide, please call us at 425-923-7791 or browse our website to learn more about our rates and services.
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