Cat Chat: How Cats Communicate

Do you talk to your cat, and understand what he is trying to tell you?

Unless you’re a feline owner, you might not understand.

Cats have a way of communicating through their meow. The way they meow might indicate what they are trying to tell you. Siamese cats are very famous for this, as they can be very vocal.       One owner mentioned that their cat would meow loudly whenever they wanted to play hide and seek.   Every time the cat used his version of cat chat, the owner understood it.  It meant that he was hiding and wanted to be found.  The owner played right along with his pet.

Some Siamese cat’s meows have been mistaken for a human voice. This is especially true when they are in heat.  Don’t be afraid if you hear your cat say “Hello”, in the middle of the night.  You might be sitting there watching television or cooking and hear a baby crying, its probably just your cat.

All cats have a tendency to use their voice in one way or another. The way your cat uses “cat chat” can vary from the way another cat uses theirs. Cats change their voices to indicate the mood or feelings that they have.  For example, if your cat has a quick meow, it could mean that they are afraid, or excited.  The more relaxing sounding meow’s means they are content, or feel comfortable. In addition to meows, cats use other behaviors to indicate their feelings.

The purr is unique to felines, and it’s the favorite way for your cat to show you how content they are. Feline experts now believe that a cat’s purr can be a way of showing how sociable they can be. Sometimes, your cat may purr when they are in pain or are uncomfortable.  People believe that this is away a cat meditates, and by purring it comforts them. The theory is that a cats purr is equal to the way people hum to relax.

Cats tend to show submission by rolling over on their back; exposing their stomach to anyone they feel they can trust. When a cat does this, it doesn’t necessarily mean they want their stomach rubbed.  So be careful if you do this, they might attack.  Cats true feeling is shown by the way they hold their tail. The way a cat wags his/her tail is a sign, they are not dogs. A dog usually shows happiness through wagging his tail.   A cat who is wagging or flicking their tail back and forth is usually trying to show they are annoyed or at least in a state of confusion.

Cats have a unique way of showing fear.  You’ll recognize this signal as soon as you see it. Your pet’s tail gets puffed up, almost to the point of being twice the normal size.  This could mean that they are startled or have been in a fight with your neighbor’s cat.  A good sign of confidence is when the cat holds their tail up high like they are trying to show the world. A high tail can mean that they are relaxed or content in their surroundings.  Have you ever heard of a cat’s third eyelid? It’s a layer of skin that is sometimes visible around cat’s eyes. If you see this, then your cat is either ill or very sleepy.  If your cat is running a fever, the eyelid is usually very visible during this period.  On the other hand, your cat’s third eyelid might appear when they are just about to fall asleep.  By becoming familiar with you cats body language, you will begin to understand what they are trying to communicate.

There are others way you cat will let you know that she is feeling under the weather. She won’t act like her normal self.  If you cat is acting weird for more than a few days, you should get her to a vet as soon as you can.   You’ve undoubtedly heard of a cat being sneaky or sly. They have a tendency to hide the way they feel from you.  They might not want you knowing that they are sick. This stems back to when they were in the wild.  Their ancestors while hunting for food would become sick and die.  Showing a sign of illness is showing vulnerability.  They try to keep a strong view, as a means of survival.


You might think that your cat likes professional wrestling. This could be true, when they try to “head butt” you.  It’s actually the way they greet you.  Return the favor, just not too hard you don’t want to injure your cat.  They really enjoy when you start acting like them.  By showing your cat that you understand them, you will begin to form a bond with you pet.

Licking is another form that shows how affectionate your cat can be.  Sounds weird doesn’t it.  But you have to remember that when they were born, their mother licked them. They have come to relate this to being a sign of love. When in fact it was the way the mother cleaned them. Don’t pull away when your cat tries licking you with their sand paper like tongue.  This will hurt their feelings, and start breaking down any bond that you may have already started to form

Cats are very smart creatures, don’t ever forget that.  Some animal experts believe that a cat is as smart as a two year old child. Always pay attention to your cats “cat chat”, show them some patience. After a while, you pet and you will have a way of showing each other how you feel. When this happens you will really start to enjoy your pet, and the bond will be stronger than ever.