What Does Meow Really Mean?

What does "meow" actually mean?  What is your cat saying to you?  Do you hear different tones when your cat talks?  What does it mean when your cat rolls over on his back?  When he puts his ears back?  And what do purrs really mean?   Understanding all these signals relies on observation.

There's lots of great information on understanding all your cat's gestures and sounds from The Farmer's Almanac.   For instance, a cat's body language (it's posture and movements) are the most important indicator of what it's trying to communicate to you.  The sounds that go with those movements are a secondary clue.  It's also important to know that the two go together when a cat wants you to know something important.  All aspects of a cat communicate - ears, eyes, body, tail and even whiskers!

From the Farmer's Almanac, here are some basic communication to look for in a cat's body language:

•    If the back is arched, the cat is on its toes, standing sideways-on: The cat is fearful and may fight, but will probably run.

•     If the back is arched, and the cat is standing face-on: The cat is aggressive and will almost certainly fight.

•     If the body is relaxed, soft, feet tucked under or kneading: The cat is relaxed.

•     If it rolls on its back: The cat is very relaxed, trusting. A cat does this when it is absolutely confident of safety. It may also be asking you to play or rub its stomach (proceed at your own risk).

You can learn a lot from a cat's whiskers, too:

•     If the whiskers are hard forward: The cat is alert, interested, perhaps sees a threat, prey, or food.

•     If the whiskers are back: The cat is calm, relaxed.

•     If the whiskers are bristled: Usually seen with other cues that indicate fear or aggression.

There's so much more to observe and learn but once you do, you'll always know what your cat is trying to tell you!  

CLICK HERE to read more about cats' language with humans and with each other!