How Do Cats Communicate?  Through Cat Chat Of Course!

Well, unless you have been around cats for awhile, you might not understand exactly what your cat is trying to tell you.  That's ok...just keep reading and let's talk about cat chat!

Well, it is a no brainer that cats meow. The important thing to remember is that it is the type of meow they use that gives you the best idea of what your cat is trying to tell you.  Some cats are more vocal than others... much like people.  The Siamese cat is especially communicative and one breed that is quite vocal. This breed of cat is very vocal and they are quite persistent when trying to tell you what they want you to do.  For example, when they want to play, they might develop a special meow that makes it quite clear that they are ready to play and are telling you as much.  The more time you spend with your cat, the more you will get used to their special cat communication.

Siamese cats even have a unique vocal sound that can be mistaken for a human!  Ok, that will get your attention if they start "talking" during the middle of hte night.  When a Siamese cat is in heat, he sounds very human-like so don't be shocked if it sounds like your cat actually seems to be saying "hello." Creepy and cool all at the same time!  There are others who think that the meow of a Siamese cat is similar to a human baby crying.  Another thing that might seem a little strange in the middle of the night. 

But all cats use their voices at one time or another. And there are a variety of ways in which the voice of a cat indicates what the feline is trying to convey through "cat chat". The differences in pitch, intensity, frequency and even the pace and cadence of the cat’s voice all leave clues about his feelings. The quicker the meows, for example, the more anxious or even frightened your pet may be. The slower the sounds, the more confident and relaxed he is. In addition to the occasional meow, cats more than likely will talk to you through a variety of other behaviors.

A favorite method of communicating is the cat’s purr, which is unique to the feline species. You may already know that a cat purrs when he’s content. Animal behaviorists now believe that they also purr when they are in the mood to be sociable.

However, if you pay close attention to your cat, you’ll notice that he also purrs when he’s nervous, feeling a little uneasy or even if he’s in great pain. Some experts think it’s a feline form of “meditation” and that this action comforts them. If this theory is at all correct, the “purring” sound of the feline is the equivalent of our “Ohm” when we meditate.

When your cat trusts you enough, she’ll eventually roll over on her back, exposing her stomach. This, in cat behavior, is the ultimate form of submission. You should be impressed. It does not necessarily mean though that he wants his tummy rubbed. So be careful life you try this. To discover your cat’s true feelings, watch how he holds his tail. The way in which he switches his tail is also a subtle form of communication. Cats are not dogs. When a dog wags his tail, he’s a happy animal. A cat whose tail is flicking rapidly back and forth – the equivalent of a wag – is actually annoyed . . . or the least confused.

You probably are already aware that a “puffed up” tail indicates fear. You’ll recognize this signal as soon as you see it. Your pet’s tail will be at least twice the size it normally is. This could mean he’s been fighting with another cat, or he’s just encountered something unexpected that startled him. A cat who is feeling “good about himself” will hold his tail high. A tail held a little lower indicates that he is feeling relaxed and relatively content. Cats possess something called a “third eyelid.” This is a layer of skin that you can sometimes see that surrounds the cat’s eyes. If you can see this, then you cat is either ill or extremely content and sleepy. The eyelid shows especially if you cat is running a fever.

You’ll be able to tell if your feline friend is ill by other behavior. She won’t be acting her normal self. If this lasts for more than several days, take your pet to the veterinarian if at all possible. Cats are very good at trying to disguise their true feelings. They may try to hide the fact that they are ill. Why? Because when their ancestors were out in the wild, many thousands of years ago, an ill cat did not live very long. So, cats try to keep a “stiff upper lip”, as it were, in order to be able to survive as long as possible.

Your cat’s third eyelid may be showing on the other hand because he’s very content and near the point of sleeping. Again, by paying some attention to his other body language, you’ll be able to read the signals.

Does your cat “head-butt” you? That’s the cat’s standard affectionate greeting. Try “head-butting” him back. Seriously. Not very hard of course. You’ll discover that he really enjoys this. You’ll also soon discover that you’ve got a bond forming with this feline.

Another form of an affectionate greeting is “the lick.” Hard to believe, isn’t it? But from the very moment he was born, his mother licked him. In his mind it’s associated with love. In fact, this is the only way his mother had to clean him. When your cat takes that sandpaper-rough tongue and licks your skin, fight the first impulse to jerk your body part away. You really don’t want to hurt his feelings, now do you?

Make no mistake about it. Cats are smart creatures. Some animal behaviorists even theorize that some cats possess the intelligence of a two-year-old human. So just be patient – and pay attention. Soon you and your cat will have your own subtle form of communication. And it’ll be most enjoyable and satisfying.