Talk to Me, Hooman! What Language Do Cats Meow in, and How to Read Feline Speech?

We’ve already chatted about feline communication more than once, dear fabCats. But really – can there ever be too much talk about it? After all, decoding cat language is like litter-box archaeology – so many secrets lie buried inside. What is your kitty telling you when they stroll into the room with a tail held high, sit under your chair and meow, or lie down in their bed while giving you a slow blink? Let’s ask our resident experts, Teddy and Kitku Yoda, about their take on feline speech and its secrets.

Why Do Cats Meow? Kitku Yoda Explains

Simple, hooman! You two-legged creatures chatter away endlessly – about the weather, lunch, or that coworker, Kasia. We cats also have a lot to say, though mostly with body language and the scent marks we leave everywhere. But, living alongside you, we noticed something: you don’t always catch what we’re saying with that look. So we went back to more vocal forms of communication – ones you probably still won’t fully understand, but at least they’ll grab your attention.

Let’s start at the beginning. Kittens meow to let their mother know where they are and what they need. As they grow up, they learn the subtleties of body language and reserve vocal communication for special occasions – like summoning the staff (ahem, the Hooman).

And what about us adult cats? When we meow, we might be telling you that:

• We’re bored – time to pull out the wand toy and make us run.
• The bowl is empty – refill it, and don’t argue that it’s “half full.” When we say empty, it’s empty.
• You’ve been sitting too long – we care about your fitness! Sitting on the couch all day isn’t healthy. (Luckily, this rule doesn’t apply to us cats.)
• Something’s not right – now you’ll have to put on your detective hat, because we won’t spell it out. But if we’re scared, spot an intruder outside the window, or feel unwell, you’ll hear about it loud and clear.

Which Cats Are the Most Talkative?

Siamese, Bengal, and Siberian cats often top the “chattiest breeds” lists. But truth be told, it’s more a matter of personality than pedigree. Here at team myKotty, for example, we have Scottish Folds – a breed usually described as quiet. And yet our Tosia is a real chatterbox who feels compelled to update her humans on every bit of neighborhood gossip after her daily window lounging sessions. We also know Ragdolls who, instead of quietly napping, serenade their humans from morning till night. So you can safely assume, dear fabCat, that if you start talking to your cat regularly and respond vocally to their meows (even mimicking the pitch of their mews), your kitty will be more inclined to meow back and “chat” with you in the future.

PS If your usually quiet kitty suddenly becomes vocal, it could signal a problem and a desperate attempt to get your attention. Keep an eye on their behavior, and if anything worries you, consult your vet.

The Cat is Purring – What Does it Mean? Teddy’s Wisdom

Firing up the little tractor isn’t just any random thing. We cats only do it in special moments and with special people. Sure, there are some who purr for every occasion (even, horror of horrors, at the vet), but in general, we switch on the purr-motor in just a few situations:

• when we’re content,
• when we want to calm ourselves and drift off into a nap,
• when we’re not feeling great and need to soothe the pain.

So should you be happy when your kitty hops on your lap, kneads away, and purrs like mad? Of course! But if you see your cat purring on their own while lying curled up, tense, or hiding away, it’s better to check whether everything’s alright.

Crème de la Crème: Feline Speech & Body Language

We saved the best (and most fascinating) part of feline communication for dessert: body language. With tail positions, whisker twitches, ear tilts, the tension of the muzzle, and those sneaky sideways glances, we cats can say more than any dictionary could handle.

What does my tail tell you?

• Held high or shaped like a question mark – I’m confident and happy.
• Hanging loosely – nothing to say here, I’m just living life.
• Flicking or whipping – you’re annoying me! Stop petting or teasing, or my claws will make an appearance.
• Bristled or stiffly upright – I’m on alert. Maybe I’m a little nervous, but I’m ready either to pounce or make a strategic retreat.
• Tucked under – I might be scared or in pain. Check what’s stressing me out in the area.

You can read similar signals in my whiskers and ears: if they’re tense or pinned back, I’m stressed or irritated. If they’re relaxed or perked curiously forward – all is well in kittyland. The key is to look at the whole picture: I might be waving my tail like a flag, but if I’m crouched down, ears forward, eyes focused, I’m not mad – I’m just hunting flies!

For more on feline warning signals, check this out → https://blog.mykotty.pl/en/2022/04/25/when-the-cat-says-no-cat-warning-signs/ 

That’s enough of our little lecture for today. Teddy and Kitku Yoda signing off! And now it’s over to you, dear fabCats – how quickly did you figure out what your cats are saying to you? Or are you still learning? Share your stories in the comments or on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/myKottypl/