There are several ways in which cats may communicate. So, What Kind of Language Do Cats Speak? They communicate with one another via sounds, body language, actions, and odors.
1. The Cat With a Loud Meow
There are three distinct meows that a cat may produce.
A. Murmurs
– which includes sounds like as purring, trilling, and chirruping
B. Meows
– which include the more common “meow,” as well as mews and cries
C. Sounds That Are Aggressive
– such as grunts, snarls, hisses, yowls, shrieks, or spitting sounds.
Related: What to do When You Take Your Pet on a Trip
Murmurs
The purring sound is a continuous, soft, vibrating sound that is produced by cats when they are in a happy condition. Cats, on the other hand, are known to purr even when they are in difficult circumstances, such as when they are gravely wounded, in pain, unwell, or anxious. It is often thought that cats purr when they’re happy, when they need a buddy, or when they are expressing gratitude for treatment, such as when a veterinarian fixes an injured or ill cat and receives a purr in response.
Trilling is something that kittens learn from their mothers since the mother will use it to instruct her young to follow her. Trilling is a kind of greeting that adult cats often provide to other cats. A trill is a sound that is a combination of a brief purr and a meow.
Chirrups are several kinds of meows that are easier to say. Chirps are sounds made by mother cats to encourage their offspring to emerge from the den. When a friendly cat approaches a person or another cat, it may also employ this vocalization. When cats are pursuing or observing their prey, they will produce enthusiastic chirps and chatters.
Meows
The “meow” is perhaps the most well-known sound associated with cats. The sounds that cats make when they meow are often directed toward people and may be described as pleading, forceful, welcoming, bold, friendly, whining, demanding, or bold. There are times when the meow is absent, and the cat just opens her lips as if to speak but still, nothing comes out.
Kittens begin their vocalizations with mews, which are mild noises designed to attract the attention of their mothers.
The vocalizations generated by females who are in heat are referred to as “caterwauling.” Fights between males often include calls, particularly when it is over females or occurs during mating.
Sounds That Are Aggressive
Cats are able to communicate their protective or hostile intentions via a variety of vocalizations, including growling, hissing, snarling, or spitting. These warning noises are sometimes paired with body posture to create an impression of a threat; for example, a cat may puff up his fur & hiss at a dog that comes too near. When a puss makes a growling sound, it is communicating the message “back away before you receive the claws.”
Hissing is a natural response for cats to express anger, fear, or pain. If another feline finds another feline entering their territory, they will hiss and snarl at the intruder, and if the intruder does not leave, they may attack.
2. Body Language
Cats are able to communicate a broad variety of feelings via their body language. The cat would arch her back, blow up her fur, and assume a sideways attitude in order to convey either fear or hostility. In addition, when the cat is relaxed, his eyes will blink slowly or he will have just half of his eyes open.
The facial expressions, tail, body, and coat posture of the feline all contribute to the communication of this kind of body language.
Posturing
When a cat is angry, its rear end will rise, its hind legs will grow rigid, its tail hair will puff up, its nose will point forward, and its ears will become flat. This stance alerts the cat to the fact that it is in danger, and it will proceed to attack. The purpose of this kind of communication among cats is to terrify a potential attacker and avert a potential confrontation. It is a cautionary note.
A fearful and protective cat will make itself smaller by lowering its body to the ground, arching its back, and moving away from the potential danger.
When a cat is sleeping on its back with its belly exposed, it may be showing signs of trust or contentment. On the other hand, this might be a sign that the cat is getting ready to protect himself by using his sharp claws and fangs.
A wide-open grin that hides the teeth communicates a carefree and humorous disposition.
Ears
The condition of a cat’s mind may often be deduced by its ears. The cat seems intent and on the lookout thanks to its perked-up ears. The cat is at ease as seen by its relaxed ears. When a cat is really hostile or defensive, its ears may become flattened as a defense mechanism.
Eyes
The withdrawal of a lower-ranking cat from a stare by a larger feline is an indication that the lower-ranking feline is lower in the hierarchy. Staring transmits a threat or a challenge. This look is employed often for reasons related to territory or being a predator.
Tail
The tail of a cat is a very effective means of communication. For example, if the cat’s tail is swinging from side to side in a languid and unhurried manner, it indicates that the cat is at ease. The cat will have a twitching tail while it is hunting when it is furious or dissatisfied, or just before it launches an attack of any kind, whether it is playful or not.
When they are excited or even hyperactive, kittens & younger cats will push the base of the tail high up & stiffen it until it forms an upside-down u-shape. This behavior is seen in kittens and younger cats. This tail posture may also be noticed when the cat is rushing about on its own or when it is chasing after another cat.
When a cat is startled or frightened, the hair on its back and tail may stand on end.
3. In the flesh
The act of grooming, in addition to other types of affection
Grooming, licking, & kneading are common ways for cats to communicate their love for one another and with certain people. Purring and kneading are both signs of love and satisfaction, and when a feline does both at one time, she is showing that she is very happy.
When two cats meet, they show their affection for one another by rubbing their noses together and sniffing each other. It is a sign of dominance over a lower-ranked cat for one cat to bump heads with another or touch cheeks with another.
Face stroking is a common way for humans to express their friendliness to one another. The domestic cat presses her face on the human to whom she is showing love. The “head bump” is yet another method cats use to communicate their affection for a particular person. Another kind of affection is stroking someone’s legs.
Cats mark their territory by dispersing their smell by rubbing and pushing against other cats and humans, which also serves as a sort of territorial marking.
Biting
Aggression may be shown by powerful biting that is followed by growling, hissing, or posturing. Playfulness and love may be conveyed via the use of light bites, particularly when paired with purring or kneading.
The act of mating is another context in which cats employ biting as a form of communication. After being bitten on the scruff of a female’s neck by the male, the female will enter the lordosis position, indicating she is ready to mate.
4. Smells
When they want to interact with other cats, cats employ their own unique fragrance. Kitties disperse their fragrance by rubbing against one another and bumping their heads, which activates the scent glands located on their faces, tails, paws, and lower backs. In addition to this, they communicate with other cats by spraying, urinating, and defecating on them.
The cat’s scent is left behind everywhere it goes, whether it is outside or inside. It is possible for a cat to mark its territory by defecating and urinating as well. In addition, they mark their territory by smearing their smell on other items, like as a fence post.
Spraying males are responsible for the majority of the territorial marking. Tomcats not only spray to mark their territory, but they also do it to signal to other toms that the females in the area are theirs to mate with.
Tomcat spray has a strong odor and is used as a marking. It’s not uncommon for females to spray as well.
This is also how cats communicate with one another.