How to Communicate with Cats
- Matching tone of voice with words.
- Avoid prolonged staring.
- Matching facial expressions and hand gestures with words.
- Slowly blinking your eyes.
- Touching the nose and head.
- Repeating words to associate them with specific actions.
The love for cats makes us want to talk to them, play with them, and enjoy their company.However, the query persists: "How can one effectively converse with felines?"
What do cats feel in those moments? Here, we discuss how to communicate with cats effectively. Behavioral scientists state that "the primary communication language among cats relies on body language. They communicate with their tails, ear positions, body postures, and facial expressions." Thus, understanding their body language and applying certain necessary steps is crucial in conveying what we want.
Matching tone of voice with words:
Cats excel at understanding both body language and the tone of voice accompanying words. Use a gentle tone when offering them food, a playful tone during walks, and a firm tone when giving immediate commands. You can also use a higher pitch to convey dissatisfaction.
Avoid prolonged staring:
Cats dislike prolonged direct eye contact as it can be perceived as a threat. On the other hand, they often like to gaze into your eyes to capture your attention. Avoid prolonged staring to prevent triggering their anger. You can observe their aggression and fear by looking at the dilation of their pupils during such instances.
Matching facial expressions and hand gestures with words:
Facial expressions and hand gestures are languages in themselves. Combining them with words can enhance clarity. Align your gestures with the words you're saying. For instance, point to the ground if you want your cat to come down from a table or beckon it with your finger to come to you. Use an appropriate tone of voice as well.
Slowly blinking your eyes:
Sending signals of trust to your cat by slowly blinking your eyes repeatedly can convey love.
Touching the nose and head:
To show affection to your cat, gently touch its nose with yours or touch your face to its head, often eliciting purrs of contentment.
Repeating words to associate them with specific actions:
Use repetitive words if you want your cat to associate them with particular actions. For instance, use words like "bed" or "sleep" every time you want your cat to sleep. Your cat will eventually connect the words with the action, whether it's eating or playing.
Understanding Cat Behavior
Observing tail movements.
Noticing eye movements.
Tilting the head back with the nose up.
Turning the ear backward.
Tongue flicks and licking the lower lips.
Observing tail movements:
To understand cat behavior, closely observe their movements, especially their tail. Tail movements convey various messages, such as:
A straight tail indicates happiness.
Rapid trembling signifies anxiety or excitement.
Wagging from side to side shows enthusiasm and happiness.
Fluffy, upright tail indicates extreme excitement or threat.
Tucked-under tail with fur standing on end signifies fear or aggression.
Tucked-under tail with a slight bend suggests submission and fear.
Noticing eye movements:
As mentioned earlier, sustained direct eye contact can make cats uncomfortable or even hostile. Cats enjoy looking at someone intently to seek attention. If their pupils are dilated, it usually indicates joy, trust, and comfort.
Tilting the head back with the nose up:
When a cat tilts its head back and raises its nose, it's a sign of recognition. You might notice this behavior in cats that are familiar with their owners or surroundings.
Turning the ear backward:
Cats may flatten or turn their ears backward when they feel frightened, anxious, or excited. It's important to notice these ear movements to gauge their emotions.
Tongue flicks and licking the lower lips:
Cats often flick their tongues or lick their lower lips when they are uncertain or anxious about something.
How Cats Communicate with Humans
Rubbing their body against yours.
Nose-touching.
Rubbing their head against you.
Bumping their head onto you.
Sniffing your face and your friends' faces.
Tapping you with their right and left paws alternately on the ground.
Licking you with their tongue.
Nibbling your hair.
Imitating your actions.
Play-biting.
After answering the question "How to communicate with cats," it's also important to learn how cats communicate with humans. This understanding can help you interpret their responses and learn their ways of showing affection through actions like:
Rubbing their body against yours:
When a cat rubs its body against you, it considers you part of its territory.
Nose-touching:
If a cat touches your nose with its nose, it's a sign of affection and comfort.
Rubbing their head against you:
When a cat rubs its head against you, it's a form of greeting and a display of trust.
Bumping their head onto you:
Head bumping is a sign of affection and bonding. Cats do this to people they consider family.
Sniffing your face and your friends' faces:
Cats sniff your face and those of your friends to familiarize themselves with the scent, a way of recognizing you.
Tapping you with their right and left paws alternately on the ground:
This behavior resembles kneading and is a sign of contentment and trust.
Licking you with their tongue:
Licking is an act of grooming and affection.
Nibbling your hair:
Nibbling your hair could be a playful gesture or an extension of grooming behavior.
Imitating your actions:
Cats may imitate your movements as a form of bonding.
Understanding these behaviors can deepen your connection with your feline friends and create a stronger bond based on mutual understanding and trust.
Eating Your Hair:
When a cat tries to groom and care for you by attempting to nibble on and eat your hair, it's a way of showing affection.
Imitating Your Actions:
The vast majority of cats mimic and imitate their owners in their movements and actions. You can observe this behavior if you pretend to be lying motionless on the ground; you'll find the cat sniffing you, nudging you, and then assuming the same role.
Biting You:
Be cautious if a cat bites you, as it's a clear warning that it doesn't appreciate what you're doing to it. You should immediately stop and leave it alone.