Have you ever wished your cat could talk?

While cats can be mysterious creatures, they actually have some very effective ways of communicating with humans. From those persistent meows, to rubbing up against your legs, your cat’s noises and body language have a lot of meaning.

And by having a stronger understanding of what those different cues mean, you can actually learn to better communicate with your feline friend — and possibly even develop a closer relationship as a result.

Meows, Purrs, and Chatters

It’s no secret that cats hiss when they’re angry or threatened—or that they may meow to get your attention. However, listening closely to the specific tone of your cat’s meow can help you better decipher what your cat is trying to tell you. Generally, a persistent and loud meow indicates that your cat wants something from you, whether it be food, treats, or attention.

While most cats purr as a sign of affection, it’s also important to realize that some cats will purr when they’re stressed, sick, or otherwise upset as a self-soothing mechanism.

Those cute little chatters and chirps that come from your cat may indicate that your cat has observed prey (such as a bird through the window), though some cats will also chirp or chatter to get the attention of their humans.

Rubbing Up Against You

When your cat rubs up against you (whether it be against your legs, your limbs, or even your cell phone), this is generally her way of “claiming” you. Specifically, you may have noticed that your cat rubs her face and/or chin up against your phone while you’re using it. When this happens, she is actually marking her scent from glands located around the cheeks. This could be her way of not-so-subtly asking you to put your phone down and pay more attention to her!

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Tail and Ear Positioning

You can tell a lot about your cat’s temperament and mood by simply looking at her tail and/or ear positioning. Friendly, happy cats will generally walk with their tails either relaxed towards the ground or pointed up loosely towards the ceiling.

A cat with a “poofy” tail, on the other hand, is probably feeling scared or frightened. If your cat’s tail seems to be moving frantically back and forth, she may be agitated or stressed out. It may be a good idea to give her some space.

Most cats will point their ears forward the majority of the time—but a cat who is feeling threatened or frightened will flatten her ears to the sides or point them slightly backwards. Often times, this ear positioning may be accompanied by a flared-out tail, hissing, and/or growling.

These are just a few of the body language cues all cat owners should be aware of. By having a better idea of how your cat is feeling or what she’s trying to “say” to you, you and your kitty can develop a stronger bond and better relationship overall.

References: Purina, WebMD

Author Bio:
Danielle Solomon holds a Master’s degree in Professional Writing and a Bachelor’s degree in English. Her experience as a freelance writer, editor, and graphic/web designer dates back to 2006. She is a self-professed crazy cat lazy. Danielle currently has two rescue cats, Luna and Geauga. In addition to writer, she also volunteers for a couple of cat transport/rescue groups.
