Whenever you’re thirsty or hungry, you either yell out to someone else in your home or you end up getting it yourself; a simple form of communication is required to make sure you get what you need.
However, have you ever wondered how a cat can do that with you?
Sometimes you may be engaged in work or have stayed out, and you come back to your cat either sitting by the food bowl or by the door. This is mainly in order to get your attention whenever you are back, and to indicate that they are hungry or notice the fact that you have not been back for a while.
On that note, it is important to realize that cats communicate differently with you than they would with other cats. The meows are specific to you, and carry on over from them meowing to their mothers.
Different Forms of Cat Communication
Meowing
I’ve already noted down the idea that cats meow at you as a sign of an authority figure, but on top of that, they also use it for denoting their need for help with activities.
Some things they can meow at you for are:
- To greet you/others
- Asking for attention
- Asking for food/water
- To go in/out of a room
There is often a distinct difference between the meows as well, which will be especially noticeable to you as the cat parent; and you will be able to tell whether they want food/water or just some love from you!
Purring
Cats often purr in order to show their satisfaction; that is the general consensus, and is somewhat correct. However, it could just be a form of self-soothing.
Purring creates soft vibrations throughout the cat’s body, which can act as a comfort to it. However, if you do notice your cat purring more than normal, it could be them trying to soothe themselves from a pain/issue.
But more often than not, they are just very happy to be around you.
Cat Posing Menacingly
This is one pose that you’d often come across stray cats who have been neglected and unfortunately abused in the streets. The arched back with the high tail is a posture a cat makes when it wants someone or something to back off.
If you are experiencing this with your cat, leave them alone for a bit in order to cool off. Think of it as a person who is annoyed by you, constantly trying to engage with them will only rile them up further.
Tail Movement
While it is worth noting that all cats are different, there are some general attitudes you could apply to how a cat is moving its tail.
If your cat has its tail straight up but has relaxed fur, it often indicates that they might be feeling happy or curious about something. However, the same straight tail up with the hair standing up indicates that they might be feeling fear or anger.
Litter Box Habits
If you’ve managed to train your cat, you know that your little feline friend knows where to go and what to do in your home. However, there are often changes in their behavior; these changes are done purposefully to get your attention.
This could be due to a few reasons:
- They do not like a new litter you have brought
- Another pet might not be letting them use their litter box
- The cat is experiencing stress
- The cat is having trouble urinating/defecating
- They have trouble accessing the litter box
Rubbing or Kneading
One of the most cuddly cat communications to understand your feline friend is its rubbing. They obviously can’t speak or meow to you to let you know their affection, so they will often do so by rubbing up against you with their bodies or their heads.
Kneading, or making biscuits, is another fun one. When they feel happy or at ease, they will push out and pull in their front paws against a surface like the sofa or more often your body. It may hurt if you haven’t given them a manicure, but try to enjoy it. They are trying to tell you they love you.
Or they want to open a bakery.
They also do this in order to mark their territory by using scent glands in their paws, cheeks, foreheads and tails. It is pretty cute if you think about it, they are just stating the fact that they see you as their own.
FAQs
Q. How does my cat communicate with me?
- Cats will have various ways to communicate with you, mostly using different types of acts, such as meowing, purring, or using their tail.
Q. Do cats communicate with their owners?
- Cats definitely communicate with their pet parents. They will meow at you to be given food/water or to be let in or out of a room. They can even use their paws to get your attention if they really want it.
Q. Do cats reply to you?
- Cats won’t always pay attention to what you have said, but oftentimes they will meow back at you when you are talking directly to them. If you’ve had them for a long time, they will pick up that you are speaking to them, and will meow back to you.
The Takeaway:
- Cats have many ways of communication
- Cats primarily meow to communicate with their parent
- Pay attention to changes in your cat’s habits
