Can you imagine how amazing it would be if you could talk to your cat? I mean, not just talk to him but with him! Well, this is quite possible if only you abandon your ignorance. Your cat talks to you all the time you just do not pick it.
Cat parents who have mastered cat language will tell you how amazing it is to talk with your cat. It not only helps you with behavior modification but you will also be able to socialize more with your cat. Furthermore, you will never feel like you are alone in the house especially if you own a talker.
As crazy as this may sound, it is possible to get your cat to talk with you. However, you must learn and understand cat language. This way, you can be able to respond to him as efficiently as possible. It will take some time before both of you can get to a point where you can converse. Luckily for you, cats are quite observant of human behavior.
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Even though they don’t particularly care, the felines tend to pay attention to us as we are their immediate family. Some cats will actually start saying hello in the morning simply because he has seen you do it over the weeks or months you have been together. However, not every meow translates to a hello. Your cat will communicate most of his needs by meow in different tones, pitch as well as facial expressions.
It is therefore up to you to translate cat language and determine what he needs. Hopefully, he will not make it difficult for you to do so. Below is an outline of the most common interpretation of cat vocalization.
What does each cat meow mean? I want to learn how to talk to my cat
As previously indicated, you must understand your kitty in order to learn how to talk with him. Therefore, we are going to outline some of the common cues of communication among our feline families.
Vocalization
Vocalization is probably the primary method of communication in the cat family. According to the meows research, cats indeed talk to us when they are meowing. This was conducted based on 30-40 cats who remained in their homes to void subjecting them to any stress during the period of study. They used cameras and even a mic for data collection.
According to the study, cats exclusively communicate with us via vocalization. The tone and pitch will vary based on the message your cat is determined to convey to you. This will also change when your cat wants to put emphasis on the message.
For instance, when he needs to eat, he will signal you by meowing. Well, if you are not doing anything about it, he will give you multiple meows with a higher pitch. I mean, he needs to remind you of his urgency to eat, like ‘I really need food!’ kind of insistence.
We have been studying cat behavior in over the 10,000 years we have domesticated them. In fact, almost every cat owner will tell you that they do talk with their cat. It is possible when you observe, learn and understand cat language. Isn’t it awesome to have a cat who will tell you about their needs rather that one who doesn’t care about soiling the house?
Translating different cat meows
As we have indicated above, the key to talking to a cat is understanding what they are trying to tell us witch each meow. We are going to help you translate your cat’s meows and other vocalizations.
Short Meow
Kittens can be quite chatty and demanding using meows. However, a short meow from your kitten is a way to say hello. Well, that is how they would identify with their biological mothers when they were young. Sometimes your cat will give you multiple meows when you probably return home from a busy day. This is when he is excited that you are finally home. More of ‘how have you been’ kind of meow. Sometimes your cat will also pace in excitement.
Mid-pitched meow
This type of meowing is usually a way for your cat to ask for something. Your cat will give you the mid-pitched meow when you delay his feeding time. This is why it is important to always adhere to the same routine for feeding and even playing with him.
You will also need to study your kitty’s feeding behaviors. This way, you will be able to leave enough snacks in the house if you have to be away for the whole day. It is also going to be easy to maintain clean and hygienic litter boxes.
As he meows, your cat is likely to stare at you when he is demanding something. You will, however, have to observe and monitor his behaviors. This way, you will be able to know what your cat wants whenever he gives you a mid-pitched meow.
In addition to sticking to a routine, it is also important to ensure that you do not delay feeding time. Also if he gives you this type of meow while standing at the door, open the door for him. He is probably demanding to go out. This kind of meow can be very annoying as your cat will do it insistently if you do not give in to his demands. We are going to discuss how you can be able to teach your cat to wait on your signal as we explore how to talk to a cat.
Long drawn-out meow
This is a frustrating kind of cat meow that usually comes after the mid-pitched meow. It is usually a way for your cat to emphasize so that you can address his needs. For instance, when your cat has given you the meow for ‘I’m hungry,’ he actually expects you to sort him out immediately. Failure to which he will go on and on complaining. He will have a long-drawn-out meow while gazing at you.
They do this to insist on the seriousness of their needs. This is likely to cause behavioral issues if ignored. Therefore, you will also need you to keep a consistent routine as well as teach your cat to wait.
Low-Pitched Meow
Cats are very expressive in nature. Cat owners are aware of what their cat is trying to say at all times. However, some cats complain too much and they use a low-pitched meow to do so. This type of meowing means that your cat is not all content or happy. He is probably complaining that you have not paid any attention to him all day. In addition, a low-pitched meow could indicate that your cat is in emotional distress.
For this reason, you should determine why your kitty won’t stop meowing and complaining. As mentioned previously, it is also important that you always stick to feeding, playing or petting routine. Avoid delaying or changes in the routine to avoid stressing the cat. If your cat is giving you the low-pitched meow, check on his stress levels.
Loud and high-pitched meow
When a cat produces a loud, high-pitched meow, he is probably in pain or quite angry or in pain. This happens when you probably step on your kitty accidentally at home. It is also common for your kitty to produce this meow when he is being bothered. Therefore, you should never ignore it when your cat is in this state.
Purring
Over the thousands of years that we have lived together with our cats, purring is a special kind of vocalization for cats. Cats will produce the soft purring sound with his mouth shut. Initially, kittens learn how to purr from their mothers. It is how cats comfort their kittens when they are sick or want to put them to sleep.
If your cat is injured, you might witness him purring to comfort himself as well. However, cats also purr to show their contentment as well as happiness. It is once again up to you to ensure that your cat is healthy and safe at all times.
Other unique sounds from your cat might include chirping or basically chattering. Some cats are actually very chatty and will barely keep quiet. Usually, this is not annoying but quite funny. For instance, cats make chirping sounds, more like birds due to the excitement. If he is, for example, watching the outside world from the window, his hunting instincts might be aroused. Cats get too excited when they spot prey around their households. Other cats will do this in order to get your attention.
How to teach a cat how to talk to you
I am sure you would like your cat to start talking with you. However, translating his language is the first and foremost step to training your kitty. In the next section, we are going to look at some of the most effective ways to get your cat talking.
What responses should you give your cats so that you can have a smooth conversation with him? This will involve teaching him a few tricks as well as use our facial expressions to talk with them.
Training a cat to sit the very first trick I would advise you to go for. This is because you are likely to have your cat’s attention for a few minutes. The trick is to ensure that he is most receptive when you teach him any other tricks.
However, you must understand that teaching him how to sit will be a little different from teaching a dog. This is because foods and treats are not effective for reinforcing training. When you are training a kitty, you will have to use gestures more than verbal instructions.
I read somewhere that cats can hear us and our instructions, they just don’t care. That’s funny in this context but also sort of true. I mean, if you own a cat you are going to relate to this. Just when you get in the mood to play with your kitty or pet him, he walks out of you. Well, they do have very low reception levels and you will have to cat him when he is most receptive.
Teaching your cat to sit
You are going to need a training stick and a treat for this training. Your cat has probably mastered his name and so you will not have any issues to get him to focus on you. In order to have him sit, use the training stick to place the treat slightly above your cat’s nose.
Cats are quite curios and he will want to figure it out. Move the treat to the back of his head and as you instruct him to sit. He will strain to reach it. Watch out for when he tucks his bottom on the ground and say ‘yes’. You can pet him and praise him in order to reinforce this type of training.
Once you have been able to get him to sit down, you can now be able to talk with your cat. With determination and correct training, you might actually be able to teach him how to speak in your language!
Do cats understand humans making cat-like sounds?
Most of us will meow back at our cats in efforts to communicate with them. Well, is this really effective? Well, making cat-like sounds does not really mean anything to your cat. He will probably like that you are doing it but it is not the way to talk to a cat.
In fact, cats are better at learning our visual signs as compared to vocal sounds. This, however, should not restrict you from teaching your cat a few commands. As with the ‘sit’ training, you can also train him to wait, come to you and even time to eat.
Conclusion
If you are learning how to talk with a cat, it means that you understand what he is saying in the first place. Not all cats speak english and so you will have to master some of the common ways of communication among the felines.
This is a complete guide to understanding different cat meows in efforts to help you translate cat language. Once you have mastered his sounds and their meanings, you will not have any issues talking with a cat.
Good communication between you and your cat also means a strong bond. Almost every cat owner knows how to talk with their cat verbally, by use of facial expressions or hand gestures. Well, what could be greater than a cat you can converse with?
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