Most of the time, people think dogs are the only pets that can communicate with humans. Dogs are indeed very intelligent and can show what they feel very clearly. But they're not the only pets able to communicate with their owners. Cats are also very sociable and communicative, especially if you use the right methods to communicate with them.
How Can We Decode Cat Body Language?
Many of us aren't convinced that pets can talk to us. That's because we don't know how to decode their messages, and we don't use the right methods to communicate with them. Yet a cat can express itself through its own language when it's happy or angry. It can also show affection or pain. However, cats don't all communicate in the same way. For example, older cats have their own way of saying they're happy or angry.
These ways differ from those of younger cats. Lifestyle and upbringing also influence how these animals communicate. When your pet is hungry, for example, meowing will be the sign that they're waiting for their kibble.
To communicate, cats use so-called high-intensity sounds. Some of them go for murmurs or vowel-like sounds. In general, cats choose which language to use depending on their environment or what's around them. If you hear high-intensity sounds, it means a cat is communicating with other cats.
In that case, the cat may hiss or growl. On the other hand, if the cat murmurs or uses a kind of trill, it means they're happy or cheerful. These murmurs are a sign of well-being. Sometimes, they can also express fear.
As for vowel-like sounds, they're very useful for getting the owner's attention. Being very soft sounds, they easily win us over. We just can't resist them.
What Are the Best Techniques for Communicating With Cats?
If you want to learn how to communicate with your cat, here are a few techniques you can use.
The first thing to do to communicate with a cat is to pay attention to their meows. There's a wide range of meows. When they're soft, it means your pet is happy or feeling great. With a drawn-out meow, your cat is telling you they're angry and ready to attack. And if your cat meows at medium strength, they want you to feed them. Your little feline will then come running to you. A few pieces of kibble won't be turned down in that case.
To communicate with a cat, let them purr. Purring is one of the vocalizations cats make. Common to all felines, such as the puma or the lynx, these sounds are a good way to express strong emotion. Have you ever seen a mother cat nursing her kittens? Look closely: these cats purr. It's their way of saying they're happy. The same can happen when cats give birth. In that case, purring means the animal is feeling tension.
By watching a cat's eyes, you can understand what they want to tell you. All the communication is in their gaze. When a cat faces danger, it gets ready to defend itself. In that case, its pupils narrow. On the other hand, when they're dilated, it means the animal is feeling a very strong emotion.
Finally, to communicate better with your cat, watch their body closely. Unlike other animals, cats use their whole body to express what they feel. When they roll onto their back, it means they want to be petted. What they need is some petting from you, with your hands or a cat brush like the ones we offer on our site.
If your cat raises their legs and their fur stands on end, avoid petting them. These signs show that your cat wants to defend themselves and is facing danger.
What Scientifically Proven Techniques Help You Communicate With a Cat?
Often seen as fickle animals, cats usually want very different things from humans. We've all noticed that when we approach our cat, they run off and move away from us. On top of that, they give us a disdainful look. You need patience to see them come to you.
To start communicating with your cat, give them a nice smile that is part of cat language. According to studies by scientists published in journals such as Scientific Reports, cats have very particular smiles, which humans can imitate. This is what would allow us to communicate with them. If you want to learn this kind of smile, here's how. Start by narrowing your eyes. Careful! Narrow them only very slightly. Then blink slowly.
By smiling like this, you'll help your cat trust you. They'll also be very relaxed. Giving them this smile is simple and easy. Through experiments, scientists have shown that cats approach their owners more readily after a slow blink. All you have left to do is reach out to them and give them big cuddles.
Also worth reading: What to Do If Your Cat Is Stressed | Kitten Socialization: Why Is It Crucial for Their Development?
