Cats vocalize for a variety of reasons, including to communicate their needs and wants to other cats and people. The sounds they make are meowing, purring, screeching and hissing. Each of these vocalizations has a different meaning and purpose. For example, meowing is usually used to get people's attention, while howling usually happens during mating season or when a cat feels threatened.
There's something about meowing back to our cats that brings joy to so many pet owners. There's no perfect explanation for why this is so, but it just seems so fun for cat parents. Maybe it's the sound of our cats meowing in response, or maybe it's just the fact that we know we're giving them attention and making them happy. Whatever the reason,When people meow at their feline friends, it generates a lot of positive energy in the relationship. Cats understand that a human meow generally means, “hang out with me.”
Meows are fascinating and their true meaning is not what you might expect. Let's take a look at what this vocalization is all about, and what happens in both cats and humans when they make this sound.
Why does my cat meow?
A cat's meow is primarily used as a form of communication with people rather than other animals. Cats rarely talk to each other, except in some cases of mating or territorial disputes. The content and purpose of a meow towards a human can vary depending on the context and situation, but generally it seems to be used as a way for cats to get our attention. They may try to tell us that they are hungry or thirsty, in pain or want to get out.
There is a clear difference in the vocalization of wild and domestic cats. Wild cats meow very rarely, while domestic cats meow quite often. This is probably due to the different environments they live in. Feral cats live in the wild, where they must fend for themselves or hunt for food. Domestic cats, on the other hand, typically live in homes with people who provide them with food and shelter.
Meowing is a manipulative behavior that cats use to get what they want. By meowing, cats can elicit a response from their human caregivers, giving the cat what it wants. This behavior is often successful because humans are programmed to respond to cries for help, and the meowing is much like a baby's cry. Cats know this and benefit from itmanipulate us. According to some scientists, cats can learn which specific sounds attract their owners' attention and motivate them to obey.
What happens when we meow at our cats?
When we meow at our cats, they are more likely to meow back at us because they have learned that they can interact with us this way. Cats learn by observing and imitating the behavior of others around them, so when they see us meowing, they know to meow back, so we will pay attention to them. So cats recognize that exchanging meows is a safe way to communicate with us. So yes, cats understand that a human meow generally means "hang out with me" and that a returning meow is likely to attract more attention.
Can we teach our cats to respond to human meows?
Yes! Cats are good learners and will quickly associate your meow with what you teach them through repetition. For example, if you meow a certain way when you feed your cat, he/she may eventually come to understand that that specific meow sound equals food. This is a basic form of communication known as conditioning, where a particular stimulus is associated with a desired response. In this case, the stimulus is the specific meow and the response is feeding. In other words, yes, the cat will understand your meow.
Will all cats understand my human meows?
Most cats might understand your human meow as “hang out with me.” However, if you teach your cat a conditioned response ("meal!") to a specific meow, it will not have that specific meaning for all cats. For the meow to be effective as a form of communication, both the individual cat and the human must have a shared understanding of what the meow means. This can only be achieved through conditioning, where the cat associates the meow with a specific response from the human.
Which cat breeds prefer to talk?
Some cat breeds tend to be noisierThen others. For example, Siamese cats are known to be talkative and meow a lot. Other breeds that are more vocal include Oriental Shorthairs, Peterbalds and Sphynx cats. This behavior is often because these breeds have been specially developed for companionship and sociability. Therefore, they tend to be noisier than other cat breeds.
Why doesn't my cat meow back?
Not all cats meow back at people. This is because as cats get older, they tend to outgrow playful behavior. So if you're trying to communicate with an older cat, don't be surprised if they don't respond in kind. Alternatively, if you have adopted a feral cat that has been abandoned or returned to a feral state, it typically has not been socialized and therefore may not know how to use meows to communicate with you.
Meowing is a form of communication typically used by domestic cats when they want to communicate with their human caregivers. However, feral cats may not understand this form of communicationtherefore should not meow. Because of their breed, some cats are naturally calm. They often only meow when spoken to, or not at all. If your cat is the strong, silent type, don't worry!
What does it mean if my cat no longer meows back?
If a vocal cat suddenly stops meowing, it can be a cause for concern. The possible reasons for this change in behavior can be numerous, but most often it means that the cat is sick or injured. If the cat stops talking, it could be a sign of a breathing problem, sore throat, damaged larynx, digestive problems, or he is simply in pain and needs to be seen by a vet.
Ifyour cat meows spontaneouslybut don't respond to your sounds, they'll miss the point. In other words, the cat has learned that your meow is nonsense and does not produce a positive outcome for him or her, so they stop responding. This could be an example of negative reinforcement, where an animal (or person) stops performing a certain behavior because it results in an unpleasant consequence, or the extinction of a behavior because the cat has realized that meowing does not provide any benefit to him or her. her, regardless of whether it could be attention, food or something else.
Conclusion
In closing thoughyour cat may meow at youif you meow, they probably don't because they understand your literal words. Their meows are more likely just a response to the sound of your voice. However, it seems likely that they capture at least some of the intent to connect. So the next time you meow at your cat, see if you can get a meow back in response. If you don't get a response, it doesn't mean your cat doesn't love or appreciate you. Maybe they just have their own way of showing it.
Featured image credits: Bogdan Sonjachnyj, Shutterstock
Contents
- Why does my cat meow?
- What happens when we meow at our cats?
- Can we teach our cats to respond to human meows?
- Will all cats understand my human meows?
- Which cat breeds prefer to talk?
- Why doesn't my cat meow back?
- What does it mean if my cat no longer meows back?
- Conclusion
