How to Communicate with Cats

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This article was co-written by Mply DeVoss. Mply DeVoss is a feline trainer and behaviorist (CFTBS), a feline behavioral consultant (CCBC), a fearless animal trainer (FFCT) and the company’s founder. Cat Behavior Sputions. Mply specializes in using positive incentives to correct and prevent unwanted behavior in cats, reducing the rate of cats being returned to rescue centers. Mply has been on the Dallas Animal Advisory Committee since 2013 and was named one of the 12 Best Cat Behavior Professionals of 2020 by Catpetclub.com. International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She is also the host of the weekly podcast Cat Talk Radio.

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Science has discovered that cats have a complex communication system with hundreds of different calls to tell humans what they want or need. ^{[1] X Research Resources} Understanding how cats transmit information and understand human communication will help you foster a nuanced relationship with your companion cat. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Table of Contents

Read Cat Body Language

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Observe the cat’s tail. Just like dogs, cats communicate by position and tail movements. ^{[3] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to the source} By knowing the tail position signs accompanied by meows, you can understand your cat’s needs and desires. Some common tail positions include:

The tail is straight and curled up at the end: the cat is having fun.
Tail twitches: they feel excited or anxious.
The tail feathers stand upright or ruffled: the cat is excited or feels threatened.
Tails fluttering: they are excited and excited to see you.
The tail feathers stand up and the tail curls at the end into an N-shape: this is a sign of aggression and can appear during fights with unfamiliar cats or in self-defense.
The tail feathers stand up but the tail swoops low: your cat is feeling hostile or scared.
Tails swoop down and hide: they’re scared.

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Look into the cat’s eyes. By observing their eyes, you can get closer to the cat and understand their inner feelings. However, you should not stare into their eyes without blinking, as this is a threatening action that makes the cat uncomfortable.

If the pupils are dilated, the cat is feeling happy or excited or rather scared or aggressive; you should combine their behavior to be specific. ^{[4] X Research Sources}
Cats that look you straight in the eye show that they trust and feel comfortable around you.
Cats blinking slowly can be an affectionate sign, meaning they’re comfortable around people.

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Notice other body language. Since cats are “more proficient” than humans at using body language, certain gestures are often accompanied by vocalizations to convey messages.

The cat’s nose and head tilted slightly back means “I acknowledge you.” Cats sitting by the window may greet you this way when you pass by.
Cats put their ears back when they feel scared, stressed, or excited. This behavior can occur when the cat sniffs carefully to learn about objects.
Cats sticking out their tongues and licking their bottom lip mean they’re nervous or scared.

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Identify communication behaviors. Some forms of cat communication are based on how they behave around you. Certain behaviors generally carry a consistent meaning to most cats. ^{[5] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to Source}

Cats rubbing their fur on you means they are marking their ownership.
A wet nose “kiss” shows affection when the cat touches your nose. This action means they like and feel comfortable around you.
Cats scratching their heads, walking around and wrapping their tails around a person or animal are typical greetings.
Cheerful head rubbing shows friendliness and affection.
Cats sniff people’s faces to identify them by familiar smells.
Cats use their stuffed paws to squeeze rhythmically, switching between right and left paws is a sign of happiness, contentment, or playfulness. The act of massaging shows that they know and trust you.
Cats use their tongue to lick you to show absolute trust. They may see you as part of the family, like a mother cat grooming her kittens.
If your cat is trying to grab your hair, they’re probably “grooming” you. This means they really love and trust you.
Some cats often show true love by mimicking actions. You can check by “faking death” on the floor. The cat will sniff and push gently, then fake death too.
In the case of a light cat bite, this is a warning sign that you should leave them alone.

Communicating with Cats

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Re-engage with the cat. They are always learning to communicate with us. The more you socialize, the faster they learn. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Use a slightly raised voice to convey friendliness and a low voice to show displeasure or aggression. ^{[7] X Research Sources}
Repetition helps the cat determine the appropriate action. You can repeat a word like “sleep” or “bed” every time you go to bed. Eventually, the cat will begin to associate the sound of the repeated word with your actions and may even go to sleep before you.

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Use nonverbal cues. Cats can be taught to understand words, but they instinctively recognize nonverbal cues. You can create a warm, intimate environment with clear aspirations and incorporate surprises to bond closely with the cat you just brought home.

If you blink slowly when looking at your cat, they will respond by approaching or petting. This is considered a non-threatening gesture.
Do not stare directly into the cat’s eyes. Otherwise, the cat will perceive you as unfriendly or aggressive. ^{[8] X Research Sources}
If your cat wants to go somewhere, like sitting next to you on the couch, for example, but isn’t sure, you can pat the seat and use a soft, affirmative tone to invite them to sit next to you.
Always be consistent between gesture intentions. Many pet owners often give vague signals when saying “no” but petting the cat at the same time. This confuses them. So, if you want your cat to go away, show it firmly and push gently, not close, so that the cat knows that presence is not appropriate. Most cats try to take over human space two or three times from different directions. When you say “later,” you have to be very patient.
Do not scold or punish your cat with physical actions. This only makes the cat scared and angry, not only beneficial but also harmful. Instead, you can use a stern tone to show your displeasure. Cats will understand this and feel your unhappiness. ^{[9] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

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Transmit commands to the cat. Stay consistent between word usage, tone of voice, and some accompanying cues while giving commands to help both of you agree and capture clear aspirations. ^{[10] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

Use a commanding tone when your cat is doing something you think is inappropriate. It should sound natural and easily repeatable, but it should be different from your everyday voice. When you use this tone less often but seriously, your cat will learn to associate the tone of voice with the meaning that they are making you unhappy.
Use a quick, high-pitched whistle to show the command “no”. This sound can convey a punishment or warning similar to “cat language,” and you can use it to convey your intentions more clearly to your cat.
With patience, cats can be trained to respond to commands just like dogs. You can even teach them how to shake hands.

Listen to Cats

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Learn how and why cats communicate. Meows are generally not a cat’s preferred form of communication. A cat’s “mother tongue” is a complex system that includes scents, facial expressions, complex body language, and touch. Cats soon learn that we don’t pick up on the nonverbal cues they send, so they meow to communicate in “our” language. By observing which sounds are associated with each of our actions, they always learn to make requests or commands.

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Observe the situation where the meow is heard. If you look closely at their actions when they cry, you can tell which cries are associated with each request (or protest). Meows can be different for each individual cat, but there are still some specific meows associated with their specific emotions, such as wheezing or hissing.

Short meows are usually for greetings and general acknowledgment.
The act of meowing repeatedly is usually an excited greeting. You may notice a more enthusiastic welcome with an increasing meow when you’re away for longer than usual.
A meow in the middle tone is usually a plea for food or water.
Continuously prolonged “Mrrrooooow” represents a persistent need to satisfy desired or necessary.
“MRRRooooowww” in a low tone indicates complaint, dissatisfaction, or preparation for a fight.
A loud “meow” in a lower tone than in the middle is usually a sign of an urgent begging for food.

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Identify common cat non-meow forms of communication. While meowing is the sound we often associate with cat meows, they still make other common types of sounds. ^{[11] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to Source}

A wheezing, raspy sound is often a signal that invites close contact or attention. While cats can wheeze for a variety of reasons, this sound is often indicative of their own satisfaction.
A hissing sound is a clear sign of aggression or self-defense in cats. When they make this sound, they are unhappy, feel threatened or scared, or are fighting or preparing to fight.

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Notice some other distinctive chirps. While many calls may be rarer than meows, hisses, and wheezes, catching them will give you a fuller understanding of how they communicate. ^{[12] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to source}

RRRROWW! high tones emitted when they are angry, hurt, or scared.
A rumbling noise can be a sign of excitement, anxiety, or frustration.
A meowing, alternating meow and raised wheeze is often the friendly greeting sound that mother cats often use to call their cubs.
Loud screams or “reeeowww” sounds are usually caused by sudden pain in the event you accidentally step on their tail.

Advice

Always love and respect your cat, then they will be your happy and beloved companion.
Sitting cross-legged on the floor and looking at your cat is a sign that you’re welcoming, so they can come closer so you can pet them.
Do not make loud noises when the cat is scared. Otherwise, the cat will perceive this as a sign of terror.
When cats bite you, they are probably playing or being satisfied.
When cats move away or run away, you should leave them alone; This action shows that they need their own space.
When a cat bites, it doesn’t necessarily show aggression. Sometimes it’s just a “love bite” or a light bite for fun. Most “love bites” are usually gentle and they won’t hurt you.
When your cat purrs during a hug, you shouldn’t hold her too tightly. Instead, switch to gentle caressing or cuddling. Cats can get used to it quickly. You should be careful not to upset the cat.
If your cat loves to be grumpy, you should talk softly and intimately every day if possible. You can brush, feed, or play with them.
Cats may hide and appear only when they are alone or hear voices that reassure them.
If your cat is wagging its tail vigorously from side to side, it could mean they are angry or playful, so it’s best to leave them alone.

Warning

Cats should be spayed or neutered as adults to avoid behavioral problems and unintended pregnancy. Male cats in particular need to be neutered before reaching the estrus period to avoid difficulty in neutering when they are grown up.
Hold the cat very carefully, especially not too tight when you pick it up. Squeezing is often a sign of aggression, and you can get serious scratches and injuries.
Urinating, splashing, and excreting in conspicuous places is often a territorial act by cats when they feel threatened by an unfamiliar cat or other pet. This could also be a sign of a urinary tract infection, cystitis, or other serious health problem. At that time, the beloved cat needs to be treated, or separated from another cat. You should consult your veterinarian for better understanding.

Steps

Read Cat Body Language

Communicating with Cats

Listen to Cats

Advice

Warning

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