While it certainly can't hurt to meow at your cat, you may have an easier time if you just stick to your own human language! Cats meow at us to get our attention. They meow because they want us humans to do something for them.
Cats lack the cognitive skills to interpret human language, but they recognize when you talk to them. To put it another way, cats comprehend human language in the same way that we understand meowing. It's similar to how you interpret your cat's language by "reading" how they arch their back or swish their tail.
Cats do not communicate between each other verbally, it's something they figured out to get human attention for whatever reason. If the cat is hungry, he'll have a meow for that and if you just meow back at him he'll repeat it in the hope that you'll figure out what he wants.
Cats meow because they are hungry or upset about something. They may also want affection. However, sometimes they cry when they are sick. If your cat's meows sound frantic or drawn out, and they are meowing all the time, you may want to get them to the vet just to be safe.
Do cats understand each other's meows? Yes, cats do understand each other's meows. Sometimes, cats will meow or trill as a form of greeting when they meet.
Purring: Cats often purr when they are content and happy.
When a cat is receiving attention or affection from their human, it may purr as a way to express its appreciation.
Headbutting is a way for cats to mark you with pheromones and bond with you. However, sometimes headbutting can be a way for cats to seek attention.
Cats tend to use pawing as a form of communication. Cats paw at us out of instinct, by accident, to give or get affection, and to get our attention. Most times, when cats paw at us, it means nothing serious. Sometimes, however, they are getting our attention to tell us that they are sick or in pain.
Cats nuzzle to show affection and to mark territory, behaviors that share the common goal of leaving their scent behind.
Turns out, it depends on the cat. Some cats are socialized as kittens to be held and kissed, while others haven't had that exposure and might be put off by a kiss as an expression of love. So, some cats like it and some cats don't—but there are ways of detecting the category into which your feline friend falls.
Ditch the catnip and try baby talk instead. Yes, you read that right: A recent study revealed that getting your pet's attention is as simple as speaking with a high-pitched tone and extended vowels, just like how you'd communicate with a human baby.
Sorry to break it to you, but human meows mean nothing to cats. At most, you can get your cat's attention and they may even appreciate your attempts to communicate by purring or even meowing back. But to most cats, human meows sound like human language.
Most cats love to snuggle, and they're typically responsive to being held if you introduce them to it gradually. The best way to approach your cat for a hug is to start with a few soft pets, then carefully pick them up. Be sure to secure all four of their legs so that they don't dangle.
Cats do often treat humans like other felines, using gestures like licking or rubbing on both feline friends and human caregivers, she says. “In a way, cats think of us as bigger cats,” Bonk says. “They might not necessarily know that we're a different species or they just don't care.”
It probably feels like your four-legged fur baby has got it in for you, but these perceived acts of aggression are actually an indicator of affection. That can be quite difficult to fathom, right? But it's true; they're actually “love bites” rather than a defense mechanism.
If your cat sleeps on your bed, he may choose a position that lets him see out your bedroom door more easily. If he's curled up in a ball under your bed or in a quiet corner, then he may be hiding. Cats who sleep under the covers might love being close to you, or they might be hiding to feel safer.
It is a way of telling us that they feel comfortable in our presence. This is especially true if we share a very close bond with our cat. For instance, if you come home after a day at work your cat might typically greet you by falling onto his side and exposing his belly.
Smell Transfer
Cats recognize each other (and us) by scent. Raising the butt is your cat's way of getting their anal glands closer to your nose so you can get a whiff of their pheromones. This is how cats introduce themselves to other cats.
Humans apart
Cats cannot differentiate between human faces and do not care how you look like. Unlike dogs, they would not even try to differentiate human faces. In an experiment conducted by an American university, the kitties could recognize their handlers less than 50 percent of the time.
Cats enjoy being around people who are willing and able to meet their needs. They fall in love with people who spend enough time with them to understand what they're trying to get across and then use that information to make that cat a happy feline.
Short meow or mew: A standard greeting. "Hello!" Multiple meows or mews: An excited greeting. "Great to see you!"
Cats can show affection by bunting. When they rub their scent glands against your ankles and hands, it's a surefire way to indicate that they like you. Purring and other vocalizations also show that they trust you and your presence. Cats vocalize to communicate with you.
The head bump.
It's their way of saying hello, by using the oil glands in front of their ears to greet you as if you're a cat and leave their scent on you. They see you as one of their clan, so bump them right back.