Cats are funny creatures. And even though we’ve said it before, we should probably repeat it again here: cats are loving creatures. Whoever disagrees hasn’t had a cat. You’d be right about something, though; they have very funny behaviors and we are all still wondering exactly what cats Meowing means and what we can decipher about cat language.
It doesn’t matter what voice you make when you communicate with your kitty, we all want to know what it is they mean when they’re meowing.
Granted, experienced pet owners, especially those who’ve had their cats for a really long time, know what sounds their cats make and what it is they want.
Let’s take a closer look at cat language, what we know about the way they communicate with each other, and what a cat Meowing means for a concerned pet owner.
Why Do Cats Meow?
Meowing is an interesting vocalization because adult cats usually don’t meow at each other. One way we know this is because we don’t see the behavior nearly as much in feral cats.
Cats communicate with each other in other ways that include chirping sounds and various body language tells.
However, cats do like to meow at humans to get their attention. We are funny creatures in that we get lost in all the sensory input around us, and cats have observed that we respond to odd noises even when distracted.
Being the observing creatures they are, cats like to meow at humans when they want to get something or interact with us.
Why Is My Cat Meowing?
Understanding what your cat is meowing about, however, is not as cut and dry.
We’ve been trying to figure out some standard cat meowing code for decades and the only thing we can conclude is that we don’t really know as much as we’d like. Back in 1840, Marvin Clark and Alphonse Grimaldi published a book where they tried to codify and translate all the sounds made by their cats.
Some other scientists have suggested that many individuals can understand cat sounds in a similar fashion to human communication, but others agree that most humans are good at interpreting the meaning of their own cats instead of being completely aware of every cat’s full intentions.
How Do Cats Communicate With Body Language?
Ok, so if meowing is just one of the ways that cats get their human’s attention, what are some of the other ways they communicate with humans and more cats? Let’s take a closer look at cat body language and what are the ways they say “I love you” or “get me some food,” which, let’s face it, are both pretty much the same when it comes to cats.
Let’s take a close look at one of the most important ways in which cats communicate.
The way some cats greet each other includes a few signs such as touching noses or rubbing against each other. Many cats will also like licking each other’s heads when they are well acquainted.
This behavior is also commonplace among cats who need comforting. Some behaviorists think that much of this helps the cats remember when they were groomed by their mothers.
Cats also love to nap together and keep each other company when they’re feeling comfortable with each other’s company.
But you also have to account for personalities that don’t match.
Cat’s may hiss at each other as a way to warn the newcomer. It may not lead to anything, but that will depend on each cat’s personality. Watch out for their tails as any rapidly-moving tails might signal trouble.
What About Cat Scent Marking?
Scent marking is a BIG deal for cats. Cats have pheromone-releasing glands in several parts of their bodies, including their faces. They will rub their faces onto objects, people, and other cats they like to let everyone know they’ve been around.
As they rub their faces onto you, the cat deposits their pheromones and oils. These scent markings help signal cats’ comfort levels around each other and their friendship.
What about spraying? Well, that’s a very territorial thing. Similarly, some cats won’t cover their droppings to signal their dominance over a certain space. We are all still trying to figure out a lot more about everything that cats do to communicate, so we’ll keep everyone posted about whatever we find.
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Cats, just as much as any other animal, need proper specialized care. Here at BrightCare Veterinary Center, you can trust our vet neurologist and all the team to care for your loved pets.
