As a friendly cat, I really enjoy meeting new people. But you what what annoys me about some of the humans I encounter? When they meow at me! It’s like they think “meow” is cat language, the same way English is — or Spanish, or Japanese, or French. It isn’t! When humans meow at me, I have no reaction. It’s as if they hadn’t said anything at all — because they haven’t.
Meowing isn’t a language. Cats rarely meow to communicate with other cats, unless we are arguing, or the other cat is being too rough. Then it’s more of an exclamation than saying words. Mom cats and cats that are good friends make little chirps, but again, it’s not meant to be a verbal sort of communication.
Many cats do meow with their humans, but that’s because we see that humans prefer to communicate vocally. So we are just trying to connect with you on your level. This works very well when we are trying to get a point across, like when it’s dinnertime. But it doesn’t work the other way around. Your verbal communication doesn’t reach us very well. As a result, we cats have a hard time understanding humans on more than a very basic level. It can get really confusing.
Honestly, the best way to communicate with us kitties is very, very simple. It’s all based on the slow blink that many of you have heard of. The main way cats communicate with their feline pals is through a series of slow blinks and half closed, or “sleepy” eyes. And we will communicate with humans like that too, if just given the chance.
If you listen to a cat with your eyes, you should find it easy to create a discourse of a series of slow blinks and narrow, sleepy eyes. There is even research that has been done on how to do this. And when you do want to talk, don’t focus so much on the verbal part of what you’re saying as much as the intent behind your words. If you picture what you are saying, it will help modulate your voice in a way that is more understandable to us cats.
I hope these suggestions help enrich your relationship with your cat, and maybe other cats you meet when you’re out! Let me know how your communication is with your cat in the comments below.
Other posts you’ll enjoy:
- How to Bond With Your Cat – 8 Tips
- 7 Things Humans Do That Confuse Cats
- Scientists Finally Figure Out Cats Respond to Slow Blinking (Plus Tips)
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Grate post Summer!! Do you know BellaSita Mum KNOWSS ‘Slo Blink” way of communycatin?? Iss so kewl!!
An mee DOESS understand alot of what shee sayss…sumtimess she even will spell a werd to one of mee Aunty’ss on tHE fone thinkin mee not know what shee said, mew mew mew…
Mee can tell you mee nevurr meowed of made a peep fore THE ferst 2 yeerss mee was here an now mee lovess a guud chat with BellaSita!!
**nose rubss** BellaDahrma an ((hugss)) BellaSita Mum
My Rosie is a triller and chirper if that’s a word. They do not understand many many human words. They learn through training. Princess is a different story. She’s a talker. Boisterously trying to get her point across. She knows how to get my attention. We all have our sweet, cuddle blinking times. Usually when we’re chilling or resting. Some day I expect Princess to open her mouth and talk. She already does syllables and sentences. Really I’m not joking. Then again she’s a very special kitty. Smart as a whip. I’ve know a lot of kitties in my over 60 years and none compare to her
Meant to say the do know many many human words
Tilly dislikes being stared at, so when I’m up close petting her, I usually look down or even close my eyes. She’s much more comfortable with that.
I knew some of that but not all. I really think your cat has
ESP with you after a time of being together. So, if you just
think about and/or picture what you are planning , the cat
will get the message.
We do slow blink sometimes but not a lot. We do know our names and usually come running if called. If we need food or a pet, we’ll seek our mom out and tell her by making a quiet noise.
I haven’t been on the bed during TW’s nap. The other day she saw me outside the door and did the slow blink. I came right in and laid next to her. It works. On the other paw, I scream at them all the time.
Great tips! I use the slow blink with Mudpie often, and when I would like her on my lap (for instance), I picture that, and sometimes it works!
We use slow blinks but we also “think” at our kitties.
So true, Summer! We’ve been slow blinking back and forth with our cats going back many years. Even from a distance outdoors with cats who were allowed to wander by their people, I’ve gotten return blinks. (Ours are indoor only.) I’ve also seen ours blink at each other.
I learned about eye communication when I had Angel Sammy – we communicated that way every day. It was rather magical. Teddy does understand words so I can use them and he reacts as if he understood – it may just be coincidental but he at least seems to “get it”……we also do eye communication. Cats are amazing communicators!!
Hugs, Pam
That almost always works here too, even with our ferals.
I admit, I cuddle Sydney, pet her, and say, “You’re a CAT!!”
Ava slow blinks a lot with us. She also gives us non-verbal cues when she thinks it is time for bed/t go upstairs. Like staring at us, and then when we look, she literally looks up the at the stairs.
I know a few words like “time to eat” and “treats.” But you’re right, Summer, the humans should leave meowing to us cats.
Breakfast and TREATS are two words we know here!
Eric and Flynn both slow blinked with me, Eric more than Flynn. They also understood the difference between, “Is anybody hungry?” and “Who wants to go walkies?” They would always run to the appropriate place, but that was probably more time association.
Very good post Summer.
It takes a while, but humans are gradually learning how to communicate with us 🙂
Purrs, Julie