It’s dinner time and your cat is meowing frantically while doing a figure eight around your legs. It’s pretty obvious what those meows mean: “Where. East. My. Food!” But there are other times when you’re not so sure what all the noise is about. You’ll probably never know everything your cat wants to tell you, but here’s a look at what some of the his vocalizations could mean.
Meows are for people
If it seems like your cat is trying to talk to you directly when it meows, that’s because it is. Adult cats rarely meow to communicate with other adult cats – it’s a vocalization they just use to “talk” to people. Kittens meow to talk to other cats and get their mother’s attention, but if your adult cat is meowing, it’s probably you she’s wanting attention from. If it’s a high-pitched, pleasant meow, it’s probably asking for something, like food or cuddles. But if the meow sounds serious and sarcastic, then they’ve probably passed the asking stage and are demanding something. NOW.
Cats use meows to try to communicate with us, but how well do people interpret what different types of meows actually mean? According to a study, not so great. In an online questionnaire, 225 participants listened to three types of meows and were asked to identify the context: waiting for food, isolation or brushing. Waiting for food was the most recognized meow, but only 40% of participants chose correctly. As expected, cat owners did better than non-owners.
Excessive Meowing Could Be Your Cat Really want your attention, but it can also be a sign of a health problem. Older cats with dementia may meow more than normal, as can cats with hyperthyroidism or hypertension. It’s a good idea to have your vet rule out any health issues if your cat seems to meow more than usual.
Satisfied purr – most of the time
If you’re curled up on the couch with your purring cat and he’s calm and relaxed, that’s a pretty good sign that he’s doing well. Most of the time, purring means your cat is happy and content, but sometimes cats purr because they’re stressed, sick, or in pain. The best way to check if your cat’s purr is happy is to look at their body language and behavior as well. If your cat has a hunched posture, hides from you, stops eating, or won’t use the litter box, it’s time to call your vet.
Other Cat Vocalizations
Cats make a lot more sounds than meows and purrs. In fact, researchers have described over 20 cat vocalizations. The authors of this review have described what these vocalizations are and the situations in which they are typically used. Here are some examples from their review.
Meow: Long, loud moan used as a warning or in breeding situations
To babble: Short, high-pitched sound used to locate other cats, because they want something or between kittens and their mother
Gurgling: Short, weak sound used to make friends or reassure others
Hissing: Prolonged exhalation with exposed teeth used as a warning
Tweedle: Extended twitter used when they really want something
To yell: Long, harsh call used in mildly threatening or reproductive situations
Every cat is different, and so are the meanings of their vocalizations. But by paying attention to the context of the situation and looking at their body language as well, you might be able to figure out what your cat is trying to tell you.
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