What Is Your Cat Trying to Tell You?

Your cat walks into the room, looks directly at you, and meows.

You answer.

The cat meows again.

You answer again.

At this point, one of you probably knows what the conversation is about.

Unfortunately, it may not be you.

Cats can’t tell us in words that they’re hungry, annoyed, frightened, or simply interested in whatever we’re doing. But they communicate constantly through sounds, posture, movement, and behavior.

Learning some of those signals can help owners better understand when a cat wants attention, when it is relaxed and when it would prefer to be left alone.

The trick is not to rely on a single signal.

A moving tail doesn’t always mean the same thing. Neither does a meow. Even purring, one of the sounds most closely associated with a happy cat, can occur in other situations.

To understand the message, watch the cat as a whole.

That Meow Is Probably For You

Cats can produce different vocalizations depending on what they want and how they’re feeling.

Short, softer meows may occur when a cat is content or interacting comfortably with its owner.

More persistent or plaintive meowing may have a more practical purpose.

Feed me.

Pay attention to me.

Open this door.

Let me into that room.

Your cat may discover that certain sounds work and keep using them.

That’s one reason owners often become surprisingly good at distinguishing one cat’s sounds from another.

Then there are vocalizations with a much clearer message.

A hiss or growl should generally be treated as a warning.

The cat may be frightened, angry, overstimulated, or otherwise uncomfortable.

That’s not the time to insist on another cuddle.

Give the animal space and let it settle down.

Purring Doesn’t Always Mean Happiness

A purring cat curled up comfortably on someone’s lap certainly looks content, and purring is commonly associated with relaxation and satisfaction.

But purring can be more complicated.

Cats may also purr when they’re stressed or uncomfortable.

For example, a cat at a veterinarian’s office may purr even though a trip to the examination room is clearly not its idea of a relaxing afternoon.

Purring may help a cat soothe or regulate itself during stressful situations.

That means the sound alone doesn’t tell the whole story.

Look at what else is happening.

Is the cat stretched comfortably across the couch with relaxed body language?

Or is it crouched in an unfamiliar carrier surrounded by unfamiliar sounds and smells?

The same purr can appear in very different circumstances.

Watch The Tail

A cat’s tail can provide another clue about its mood.

A relaxed cat may hold or move its tail gently, sometimes in a loose S-shaped position.

A tail that begins thumping against the floor or swishing vigorously can indicate that the situation has changed.

The cat may be irritated or becoming overstimulated.

This can happen during petting.

A cat may enjoy being stroked and then reach a point where it has had enough. A more forceful tail movement can signal that it’s time for the human to stop.

Ignoring those signals may lead the cat to find a more convincing way to make its point.

Again, context matters.

Instead of translating every tail flick as a dictionary word, watch for changes in the animal’s overall behavior.

The cat that was relaxed a minute ago and is now tense and rapidly swishing its tail is telling you something changed.

A Relaxed Cat Takes Up Space

Body position can be another useful clue.

A comfortable cat may stretch deeply or lie with its body spread out.

In simple terms, a relaxed animal is often willing to take up more space.

A worried or frightened cat may do the opposite, making itself smaller or adopting a more guarded position.

That’s one reason owners should look beyond the obvious sounds.

A silent cat is still communicating.

Where are its ears?

How is it holding its body?

Is it stretched out or tense?

Is it approaching people or withdrawing?

What is the tail doing?

Has anything in the room changed?

Looking at several signals together gives you a much better chance of understanding what your cat is trying to communicate.

Know What’s Normal For Your Cat

Perhaps the most useful thing an owner can learn isn’t a particular meow or tail position.

It’s what’s normal for that particular animal.

Some cats are talkers.

Others rarely make a sound.

One may follow its owner from room to room demanding attention. Another may prefer to spend much of the day alone.

That’s why a sudden change can be more important than any single piece of “cat language.”

A normally quiet cat that suddenly begins meowing constantly deserves attention.

So does a social cat that suddenly hides.

Changes in appetite, activity, or other everyday behavior can also be significant.

Lethargy or refusing food shouldn’t automatically be dismissed as anxiety. Changes like those can have medical causes and may warrant a call to a veterinarian, particularly if they’re sudden, severe, or persistent.

Behavior and health can overlap.

A cat can’t tell you which one is responsible.

Sometimes You Need A Translator

You don’t need to become an animal behavior expert to get better at reading a cat.

Mostly, it requires paying attention.

Listen to the sounds.

Watch the tail.

Look at the rest of the body.

Consider what’s happening around the animal.

And, most importantly, notice when your cat stops acting like your cat.

If a behavior changes suddenly or you’re having difficulty determining why an animal is acting differently, a veterinarian can help rule out a health problem. An animal behavior specialist may also help with ongoing behavioral concerns.

Cats may not speak our language.

But that doesn’t mean they’re quiet.

Sometimes they’re telling us quite a lot.

We just have to learn how to listen with our eyes, too.