About:
Cat communication
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Introduction
Hey there! Cats talk to each other and to humans in different ways. They meow, purr, hiss, and do other things to show how they feel. They might meow when they want food or cuddles. Cats living with people tend to meow more than wild cats. They also have their own way of showing who's in charge if there are many cats together. Cats can also communicate by how they look or smell. They use body language to show if they are scared, relaxed, or mad. They might groom each other or leave their smell around to mark their space. Cats have many ways to talk, not just with words!
Vocal communication
Cats make different sounds to talk to each other and to us. They can make sounds with their mouths closed, sounds with their mouths open, or sounds with their mouths held open. Some sounds show they are happy, scared, angry, or in pain.
One famous sound a cat makes is called purring. Cats purr when they are happy, but they can also purr when they are not feeling well. Scientists found that cats can purr without using their muscles. They make the noise by vibrating their vocal cords at a low frequency.
Another common sound is the "meow". Cats meow for different reasons like asking for attention or food. Kittens make a high-pitched meow to get their mom's attention. As they grow up, they meow less to each other and more to humans.
Cats also make a sound called a chirrup, which is like a rolled meow. They use this sound to call their kittens or to greet other cats and humans. Sometimes, cats make chirping sounds when they see prey like birds.
Cats have other sounds like growling, hissing, and howling when they are angry or scared. They use these sounds to protect themselves and scare away intruders.
So, when your cat makes different sounds, they are trying to tell you something!
Visual communication
Cats talk to each other and to us without words. They use their bodies to show how they feel. When a cat is scared, it may make itself small and lean away from what's scaring it. When a cat is angry, it might make its back flat and its tail hairs stand up. If a cat is relaxed, it may blink slowly to show it's comfy.
Cats have different ways of using their bodies to talk. For example, when a cat is happy or confident, it might hold its tail up high. If a cat is playing, its tail might twitch. Cats can also move their ears and eyes to show their feelings. A cat might stare to show it's feeling brave, or blink slowly to show it's friendly.
Cats don't pant like dogs do, but they might do it in hot weather or after giving birth. If a cat is panting a lot or looks distressed, it could mean something is wrong, like a health issue. It's important to keep an eye on any unusual signs in our furry friends!
Tactile communication
Hey there! Let's talk about how cats communicate through touch.
Cats like to lick each other and even humans to show love and bond with them. They spend a good amount of time cleaning themselves, which helps them stay tidy and get rid of pesky fleas. Sometimes, they use licking to scratch itchy spots on their bodies.
Have you ever noticed a cat pressing their paws on you or a soft object? This is called kneading. It's something kittens do when they're drinking milk from their mom. Cats carry this habit into adulthood, and it can make them feel happy and relaxed, like how we feel when we stretch. Kneading is often a sign that the cat is content and loving.
Cats also like to bump their heads against humans or other cats, which is a way of saying hello or showing affection. They have scent glands in this area, so it's like leaving a little smell behind as a friendly gesture. Sometimes, cats might gently bite you, which can mean they're being playful or showing love. But if they bite harder and make growling noises, it could mean they're feeling aggressive.
So, when a cat licks you, kneads on you, bumps their head against you, or gives you a gentle bite, they're just trying to talk to you in their own special way!
Olfactory communication
Cats talk to each other using their special smells. They have different places on their body where they make these smells, like their cheeks, chin, and tail. When they rub their face on things, they leave their smell behind. This smell makes them feel happy and safe. There are even sprays that have this smell in stores for cats.
Cats also mark their territory by peeing in certain places. Male cats usually do this more than female cats. Sometimes, cats pee outside of their litter box because they don't like something about it, like if it's dirty or not private enough. This can also show that they have a tummy problem, especially for male cats who can get sick if crystals form in their pee.
The pee of boy cats has a special smell because of a substance called felinine. This substance changes over time into another smelly compound that makes cat pee stinky.
Socialization
Cats, whether they are pets or live in the wild, do things together, even though many types of cats are believed to like being alone and not friendly. They do things like hanging out with humans and other cats, learning from each other, and sometimes having arguments.
There are 52 different traits that can describe a cat's personality, with things like being nervous, outgoing, bossy, impulsive, and nice being some of them. When kittens are between three and nine weeks old, they can get used to being around people. It's important to spend time with them during this period, because it can help them not be scared of people later on. Having lots of people be nice to the kitten, having the mom around, and feeding them regularly can all help the kitten feel comfortable around people. If the mom cat is okay around people, it can help the kittens feel less anxious and build a good relationship with humans.
Sometimes, cats can do things that make it hard to get along with people. They might scratch or bite, go to the bathroom in the house, ruin furniture, or bring dead animals inside. These behaviors can make it tough for cats and people to be friends.
When kittens that live outside are caught when they are around two to seven weeks old, they can learn to be around people in about a month. But some types of cats might not be able to get used to people because of their genes or past experiences. Spending lots of time with the kitten every week and having another cat around can help the process. It's important to be careful and patient, especially in the beginning. It can be harder to get an older cat used to people because they usually only trust the people they knew when they were younger.
Cats learn by watching others, especially their moms. Kittens learn how to hunt by watching their moms catch prey. They improve their hunting skills when their moms are with them. Cats learn things like hunting and being friendly with humans by copying what they see others doing.
In a home with more than one cat, there might be one cat that is more in charge than the others. The other cats show they know who's in charge by acting in certain ways, like avoiding eye contact or moving out of the way for the boss cat. Sometimes, the boss cat might get aggressive if another cat tries to take its food. This can cause issues with the other cats going to the bathroom or eating. When cats who don't know each other meet, they might act defensively until one of them decides to leave.
Cats usually don't get into fights, but when they do, it's often to protect their food, babies, or territory. If there's a fight between cats in a home, they might need to be separated to keep the peace. When two cats are about to fight, they make themselves look bigger, make loud noises, and may attack each other. The fight can go on until one cat gives up and leaves.