How Cats Talk or Communicate

We all know that cats meow. And the type of meow they use gives you a good idea of what it is they are trying to communicate with you, but it takes time for the new cat owner to develop an understanding of this.
Siamese cats in particular have a wide range of striking meow sounds.

All cats use their voices in a variety of ways to communicate some kind of information through cat talk or cat chat. By varying the pitch, intensity, frequency and even the pace and cadence of his voice, the cat attempts to make known his needs or feelings. The more anxious or even frightened your pet may be, the quicker the meows - the more confident and relaxed he is, the slower the sounds. But there is more to the cat’s vocal range than a simple meow.

We all love to hear a cat purring – its usually a reassuring sign that all’s well in his world he’s happy, and happy with the company. But cat experts also tell us that purring can also reveal nervousness, or unease.


The cat has several ways of communicating love and trust.

If your cat head-butts you, he’s letting you know that he loves you - try head-butting him back, only gently of course. Usually cats really enjoy this.


And which loving cat owner has not been licked. Remember that from the very moment he was born, his mother licked him, so in his mind licking is associated with love. When your cat licks your skin with that sandpaper-rough tongue, remember he’s demonstrating his true love for you.


When a cat rolls over on his back, exposing his stomach, his vulnerability, he is showing trust and submission. We often assume that he simply wants his tummy tickled, but this is not necessarily so. So be sure to make the right noises when this happens, to show him that you understand and appreciate his gesture.


A sure giveaway to how your cat is feeling is his tail! The way in which he switches his tail is also a subtle form of communication. Whereas a dog will wag his tail to show he is happy, a cat whose tail is flicking rapidly back and forth is either confused or annoyed.


Most cat owners know that a “puffed up” tail indicates fear - the tail can be at least twice its normal size, so it is not a sign that is easily missed. Perhaps he’s been fighting with another cat, or he’s just come across something unexpected that startled him. A confident cat will hold his tail high – if the tail is held a little lower, this means that he is feeling relaxed and content.


If you examine the eyes of your cat, you may see that he possess something called a “third eyelid, a layer of skin that that surrounds the cat’s eyes. If this is visible, then your cat is either extremely content and sleepy – or he is ill! This is especially true if you cat is running a fever. Again, by paying some attention to his other body language, you’ll be able to read the signals.


If your cat is not acting her normal self for more than a few days, take him to the veterinarian if at all possible. Cats by their nature try to conceal the fact that they are ill. This is a throwback to the days, many thousands of years ago, when their ancestors were out in the wild - a sick cat did not live very long. When “survival of the fittest” was the rule, a cat knew instinctively not to betray signs of illness or weakness.


Anyone who has owned a cat will be well aware that cats are smart creatures. Indeed, some animal behaviorists believe that some cats have the intelligence of a two-year-old human. So respect his intelligence. Develop a relationship based on mutual respect and trust, and you will discover a great source of love and companionship for years to come.