How Cats Communicate: Body Language and Vocal Communication

Ever wonder what cats are trying to communicate when they meow or stare aimlessly at nothing? If you really want to know what your cat wants or what it's thinking, it's important to understand their body language and vocal communication. Cats express their feelings in many ways. A cats body language plays a significant role in communication. They use their tails, ears, paws, and whiskers to tell you or other cats what it wants. Although vocal communication for cats doesn't play as a big a role as body language, it can convey a good amount of information. Cats not only meow and purr, they hiss, growl, snarl, and even cry. A gentle meow, soft purr, and dangerous hiss all play a role in telling the world just how they feel and what it wants.

A cats body language tells a lot about how a cat is feeling, and often times they tell you want they want with their claws. But they also use their tails, ears, and whiskers to communicate. A tail standing straight up usually means that a cat is alert but content. Its curious about its environment but is in a friendly mood and wants to play. And when their laying down and the tail is relaxed a cat is feeling very easy going. When a cat is scared or angry, the hair on the tail will puff up, like it was electrocuted. A cats ears can also tell you if its happy, curious or defensive. When the ears are erect and slightly pointing outward, it usually means the cat is happy and curious. When the ears are facing backward, the cat is feeling scared and it going on the defensive. And when the ears are all the way back flat against the head, the cat is ready to run away or fight.

A cat's whiskers and how they use their paws also communicate to you if its scared, happy, or sad. If the whiskers are spread out and pointing forward, the cat is alert and ready for action. They feel more relaxed and friendly when the whiskers are bunched together and out to the sides. But like its ears, if the whiskers are flat against its face, the cat is scared, ready to run away or fight. Cats use their paws to tell you what they want and how they feel, and sometimes it hurts. A cat that rubs its body against your or kneads its paws into you is not only showing affection, but is being a little possessive of you. When a cat gentle touches your hand it showing it like you, but a swap means back off!

Although the vocal communication of cats is considered the least important of cat communication, it can contain a good amount of information. The typical meow usually means they want something, is confused, or is agitated by something and want you to do something about it. Cats also make a small chirping sounds and soft grunts telling you it's happy to see you. But cats also growl, hiss, cry and snarl, and all those generally mean a cat is scared, angry, or hurt. You want to your cat some space if you hear those sounds. The most widely recognized noise is the purr. Of course it can mean that a cat is happy and comfortable, but cats purr also because they're worried to to relieve stress.