Decoding Our Feline’s Language: What Is My Cat Saying?
Bring your feline-human bond to greater heights by mastering the art of your cat’s meows and chirps.
Cats can be pretty vocal animals at times besides, they have the widest range of vocalizations of any domestic pet alongside birds. All this variation of sounds has a purposeful meaning and differs for each and every cat.
In this article, we will help fellow meowmies decipher and study your kitty’s language to learn more about them – when they are feeling hungry, bored, or just want to be left alone.
Before we begin, meowmies should understand that to fully understand their cats, they should always take into consideration their body language at the time of vocalization (ears and posture especially).
Meow
A cat’s meow is often heard in their kitten age when they are in need of their mothers but, as they age, this way of communication has become more for hoomans instead of fellow feline friends.
Most meowmies would have already figured that not all meows mean the same. With close observation, you can translate your meow into different forms of attention seeking call – happiness, anger, hunger or wanting attention.
(Our office cat Niu Niu loves lounging at both the office and pantry. In order to to that, she often meows to demand her hooman slaves to open the door for her!)
Purr
This is usually associated with contentment as it often happens in the midst of petting your cat. In such situation, it shows that your cat is in a relaxed and calm state.
But, as mentioned earlier in this article, owners should also watch the body language of their cat as it can also represent other meaning. If the purring is accompanied with tense body and ears back, if can be a sign of pain or anxiousness.
Chirrup
This is a mixture of purr and meow.
Mother cats often use this to get the attention of her kittens thus, your cat may be trying to get your attention! Besides that, it can also be a form of greeting when your cat is excited and happy.
Chatter
It is believed that chattering in cats is due to the excitement or frustraution experienced when they spot preys like bird or squirrel which is beyond their reach.
Just imagine them sreaming “Let me out hooman!” when they are unable to sastisfy their hunger instincts.
Growl
This noise is a warning from our cats which indicates fear, anger or territoriality. It can be meant for both hoomans or animals.
Hiss
Stay away!
Paired with an arched back, puffed up hair and twitchy tail, kitty is feeling threatened and is ready for some paw action anytime! It is best to give your cat his own personal space for now.
But do note that, persistant unprovoked hissing may indicate that your feline pal is in pain and it is best to bring him to a vet to evaluate further.
So, have you mastered the art of your cat’s language already?