Your cat wants flow freely with you just as much as you desire to understand it. Yet it is so interesting that your cat can cuddle up to be one minute and then want to be left alone the next.
The languages of a cat are as broad as its nine lives but easy to fathom. Beyond meowing and purring, understanding a cat’s vocal and body language will help you both get along better and even communicate perfectly.
Vocal Languages
When it comes to cats, every sound means something. The sounds include
Meows: This is a cat’s word for all seasons. It might mean simple things like “hello”, “I want a cuddle”, “put me down”, “more food please” or even a call to be checked out.
Purrs: This is a sound your cat is sure to use when it is happy with you. a purr means your cat is content and pleased to show it even while feeding. Cats can also purr to make themselves feel a little better when they are sick, nervous or uncomfortable.
Growl/hiss/spitting: A cat that does any of these is definitely a frightened or angry cat. If your cat is frightened you need to comfort it but if it plays the aggressive card you need to let it be for a while.
Chirps/Trills: this is a cat to cat language but if you have just one cat then it means it wants you to follow it. Be sure to do just that
Yowl/Howl: this is a distress call. It means your pet is stuck or in some kind of danger. Look for it straight away. These sounds are also part of the mating ritual for cats while in much older cats it is a sin of dementia/ disorientation.
Body Languages
Rubbing: Your cat sure does love you if it constantly rubs against you with its chin and body. Rubbing other objects such as toys, carpet and the likes is just a display of ownership. Head butting, similar to rubbing, but done with the head is also a form of display of affection for you.
Blinking: This shows that a happy cat is trying to communicate his liking for you across distance. Blinking aside, cats can say so much with their eyes such as constricted pupils that can be an indication of aggressiveness or tenseness while dilated pupils may be an expression of a cat’s fear, surprise or stimulation
Balling: A cat that folds itself into a protected tight little ball is probably afraid or doesn’t want to be bothered. You might have to observe a little more closely to know what is which
Kneading: A feline that kneads its paws on its blanket or on your lap is most likely content and pleased with itself, taking a cue from the kneading action of suckling kittens.
Tail movement: the upward tail movement is always a good sign. This means your cat is in great spirits. A back and forth rapid movement or downward tail movement means your cat is agitated and or scared. An Halloween-cat tail means your cat wants to appear scarier for a reason.
A cat’s means of communication are endless but an inclination to react appropriately when your cat tries to communicate will result in an almost flawless relationship.