Cat Chat: Communicate With Your Feline Friend

Do you know how to truly communicate with your cat? If you haven't spent enough quality time with your pet, you may not know what he is trying to tell you.

You already know that your cats vocalize, in the form of meowing. But did you know that they have different types of meows for different situations? Your cat is trying to communicate specific things to you through different types of sounds. If this sounds far-fetched to you, consider this story about the owner of a Siamese cat. Siamese cats in particular are quite vocal, one owner had a Siamese that always used a specific type of meow every time that he wanted to play hide and seek! Whenever the cat used this particular meow, his owner knew that he was hiding, and asking her to come and find him. If the owner had not learned to recognize her cat's "hide and seek meow," she may have become frustrated at the cat's meowing rather than learning to satisfy her desire to play.

As a side note, Siamese cats are interesting in the fact that their voices sound almost human. Sometimes (especially when they are in heat), they even sound like they are saying "hello" to you, or perhaps more like the sound of a baby crying. Be prepared when you hear this sound in the middle of the night, if you are a Siamese cat owner.

But even if you do not own a Siamese cat, your cat will undoubtedly use his voice to communicate with you. Your cat will use his voice in many different ways to tell you what he wants. You can think of it as his own special "cat chat". There are many different clues you can take about the feelings your cat is having.  Some of these include the pitch, intensity, frequency and even the pace and cadence of the cat’s moewing. When your cat is worried, upset, or anxious, he may produce short, quick meows, whereas his meows may be longer and more relaxed if he is feeling comfortable and at ease. Your cat is individual, though, and you will need to pay attention in order to learn his specific communicative sounds.

Cats also communicate with you through methods other than meowing. Maybe the first one that comes to mind is the purr. Of the animal kingdom, felines alone produce this unique sound. It is common knowledge that when cats are feeling happy and content, they purr. You may have been fortunate enough to experience this when you are relaxing on the couch with your cat on your lap. Some animal behaviorists have put forward the theory that cats purr for other reasons as well.

If you are truly in tune with your cat's forms of communication, you’ll notice that he does not only purr when he is content. He may also purr if he is nervous or uneasy, or even if he is in great pain. Though many theories abound as to why cats purr, the fact remains that as you get to know your own cat, you will be able to tell what he is trying to say with his purr.

Trust is a very important factor when improving the bond between you and your cat. Have you ever seen a cat roll over on her back in front of you?  We usually assume this means that the cat wants to be scratched. While this may be true, it is more important to note that the cat is showing submission to you, which indicates that he truly does trust you. If your cat is this comfortable with you, then you are well on the way to an excellent relationship with him. At this point, you can try to rub his tummy, but be careful because he may or may not want that at the time.

One other sure-fire way to read your cat's body language is to observe his tail. As you probably know, dogs wag their tails vigorously when they are happy. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, don't treat your cat like a dog! If you see your cat (or any other cat for that matter) switching his tail back and forth, beware. the cat may be annoyed, confused, or even feeling aggressive and offensive. This is not the time to move in to pick up or pet your cat.

Have you seen your cat "puff up" his tail? Don't ask how they do it, but you will know the telltale "puff" as soon as you see it, because the tail appears to swell to at least twice its normal size. As you may already know, this sign indicates fear. If you see your cat's tail all puffed up like this, it could mean a  number of different things. It could be as innocuous as being startled by a loud sound, or as serious as getting into a fight with another cat.

On the other hand, your cat's tail can also indicate positive feelings. A cat who is feeling proud will hold his tail high in the air. When your kitty is relaxed and content, he may carry his tail in a lower, more relaxed position.

Another interesting thing about cats that you should be aware of is their “third eyelid.” Basically, this strange-sounding feature is actually a fold or flap of skin around the eyes. Most of the time,  you will never see this third eyelid.  If you do see it, it could mean one of two things. If your kitty is very sleepy and tired, it could show. But if you see it, observe your cat well, because it could also mean that he is sick and running a fever. If that is the case, of course you should get your pet in to the veterinarian.

There are other ways to observe if your cat is sick. The first thing you may notice is that she is not acting "normal." Though someone else may not be able to tell, you will know that she is not as peppy or alert as she usually is. Cats are proud creatures and don't like to show their weakness, so if you notice this type of behavior for more than a day or two, you really should consider getting her in to the vet right away.

Another communication method which is actually kind of funny, is the “head-butt.” Have you experienced this? If so, consider yourself lucky! That is the cat's way of showing you affection. The next time this happens, you can have a little fun with your pet by gently “head-butting” him back. Try it, it's a lot of fun! And you will probably find that your cat gets a kick out of it. By working with your cat's natural instincts, you will strengthen your bond with your gorgeous pet.

And how about that famous sandpaper-y tongue? That rough, scratchy lick is another way that your cat shows you affection. The reason for this behavior may stem from the fact that a kitten is licked by his mother from birth, and so he begins to associate this action with affection and love. So the next time your little kitty starts licking you with that scratchy pink tongue, don't jerk your arm away, but force yourself to relax and enjoy it. (You can wash your hands afterward!) You want to encourage your cat when he is showing you he loves you.

Your cat-owning experience can be extremely enjoyable when you truly learn to communicate with her. The most important things to remember are to be patient, and always pay attention. Learning how to "chat with your cat" won't happen by accident, it takes work. But the rewards are great!