How do cats communicate?
Have you every noticed how many different ways that cats communicate?
I live with two cats “Lnyx” a female and “Mojo” a male. What is funny is how different they communicate with me. Lynx meows and meows and meows; while Mojo will occasionally meows(mainly when he is hungry or wants to go for a stroll). The biggest difference seems to be how they communicate to each other. They seem to use “telepathy“. I have been watching the two of them and at times they seem to get a long just fine; then Lynx decides she is going to see how far she can push him and “wham!” Mojo puts a stop to it quickly with a quick swipe of his paw at her. They also appear to use “telepathy” and body “language” when they are trying to talk to everyone in the house. Now when I say “telepathy” I mean little things like when the cat box needs to be cleaned, they seem to use subtle gestures (like sitting facing the direction of the cat box and glancing occasionally in the general direction of anyone near by to convey this to us. Or when they want the front door opened; They will sit directly facing the door hence that subtle gesture. So this brings me to today article “How do cats communicate?” I was asked by Mr. CatTamboo to look into this further, so here we go.
How cats communicate using SOUNDS
The cat’s vocal composition and compilation abilities are very advanced. From their ability to mock birds, to learning to use words like “Mom & No” and developing sentences shows that cats are extreme when it comes to communication!
We have all heard that when a cat purr’s it is showing pleasure; yet we now know that they will also purr when in pain. Cats will make loud sounds like hissing, growling, and screaming as mating sounds or when they are expressing aggressive behavior. Also when cats are attempting to make vowel sounds is either to indicate a need for food or some other desire.
How cats communicate using SCENT MARKING
Cats use a gland found in their cheeks, chin and forehead to mark their territory. They do this by rubbing against a person, furniture, or anything which they feel they need to use to convey their message of ownership.
How cats communicate using BODY LANGUAGE
If you want to know what mood your cat is in pay attention to their tail, posture, and facial expression. If you see your cat with its ears forward, eyes half open and purring she is content. When your cats ears are flat on its head and its eyes are dilated your cat is afraid. If you see your cats tail flicker quickly it is a sign of excitement and possible aggression. When your cat is trying to appear bigger it is a sign that your cat is being defensive and sweeping whiskers and ears pulled back your cat is agitated.
How cats communicate with other cats
It is believed that there are three ways in which cats communicate with each other. Cats send and receive more information among each other through these methods. By understanding them better, we can begin to communicate more fluently with our feline friends ?.
Cats communicate with each other with sound by using pitch
The first is the pitch, and the intensity that your cat uses relates its needs and desires to other cats around it (the lower the pitch the more confident and content your cat is).
Cats communicate fluently with other cats by using body language
The second is body language, if your cat lays with its stomach open it is an invitation to come closer. When a female is in heat and does this she is indicating to a male that she wants his advances. Yet if your cat arches its back, shows teeth, claws and stiffens its tail it is saying to stay “away!”
Cats communicate with other cats by using scent
And the last like with humans is scent marking. Scent marking releases information about the cats age, weight, reproductive status and health, which is viral information for the possible male prospect. Whether through their cheeks, urine, or paw pad your cat leaves detailed information behind to mark its territory or make tits presence known to other cats.
How to communicate with your cat using eye contact
Now for those of you that wish to communicate back with your cats there are ways to do so. You can make great connection with your cat with a blink of the eye!
During my research I came across an article which talked about how slow deliberate blinking and eye contact was a wonderful way to show trust. This is conducive to a healthy relationship with your cat. In the animal world being able to close ones eyes is showing trust to the other animal, so by doing this you are sharing your openness and trust to your feline. Strangely enough direct eye contact can come across threatening to a cat. Your cats fear will show in its eyes, the more fear the bigger the eyes will get.
The more aroused the more the cat the pupils may narrow or constricted to focus on greater detail.
Your cats tail is important to pay attention to as well. For instance a curled tail is a sign of friendliness and joy/ A tucked tail is fear or feeling threatened and a held high tail is a sign of 
confidence.
You should keep in mind is that even a mild tempered cat can get overly aroused when pet too much or handled too much “cats are predators prompted by stimulation”
One thing to remember is that every cat is different and has its own unique way of communicating with you. With “Lynx” when she really wants my attention she will use her back legs to knock on the door like “Thumper” from “Banbie” which is very cute but definitely her way of demanding my attention.
What we are learning in this world filled with amazing cats is whether it be through sound, scent, body language or their mood cats have been able to communicate their needs to humans and other species around them for quite some time. Now on youtube you can find some amazing things that cats are learning to say as well as do everyday and many will proclaim that their is nothing that a cat cannot learn to do when it wants to.