“If cats could talk, they wouldn’t.” –Nan Porter

Though this quote is funny, and humorously alludes to cats’ stoical side, cats actually talk quite a bit—and mostly to us.

In a typical household with cats, the feline residents, once past the kitten stage, communicate among themselves mostly through non-vocal means. However, probably because they sense our limitations on interpreting body language and discover that we respond better to vocal cues and commands, cats modify their communication styles to work with humans’ strengths and weaknesses. In addition, since our cats see us partly as surrogate mothers, throughout adulthood they continue with many of the vocal techniques they utilized as kittens to let their mothers know how they were doing and what they wanted.

Types of Cat Talk and What They Mean

Cats have quite an extensive “vocabmewlary.” Below are the main categories of sounds that cats use to communicate with us, and in some circumstances with each other.

Squeaks, trills, and chirps. These closed-mouth sounds usually express happiness and greetings. Your cat may grace you with some appreciative trilling or chirrups of delight as you pet or brush her. Some cats announce their presence with one of these short vocalizations. This repertoire of pleasant vocalizations may also be used for gentle requests, the way you might lightly tap on your horn if the otherwise exemplary driver in front of you has not noticed that the light has turned green. For example, a cat may emit brief squeaks that convey a mixture of excitement and “hurry up” as you’re preparing her dinner. Often, these sing-song “meeps,” chirps, and warbles become part of the musical rhythm of a home.

Meows, rrrows, and yeows. This is a broad category, filled with variations and nuances. Sounds in the meow family are made with an open mouth. A casual meow may be used as a greeting or non-urgent request (“As long as you’re going to the kitchen, I’d like a refill in my food bowl…”). More wide-mouthed and long-voweled utterances generally indicate at least a moderate level of urgency or determination. Kittens rely on open-mouthed cries as distress calls to their mothers when they’re hungry, lost, or feeling threatened. Adult cats may use this same technique to summon their humans. The meow is a very versatile tool.

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