A short meow is like a standard greeting or 'hello'. A drawn-out meow can be a demand for something immediately like 'feed me now' or 'open the door'. A higher pitched longer meow, or yowl could mean pain or anger. This could be if another cat is in their territory; e.g. 'I don't want you here!
Vocalizing. You'll learn a lot when you can interpret your cat's wide vocabulary of chirps and meows. They'll tell you when they're hungry, when they're feeling affectionate and if they're feeling threatened or in pain. While some cats rarely make a peep, others won't let you get a word in edgewise.
Your cat's body language is the best way to understand what your cat is trying to tell you. Learn what your cat is saying with meows and body language, and teach your cat a few words to improve your communication skills. Kneading, slow blinks, headbutts, licking and purring are all signs that your cat is content.
The standard meow is mid-length in duration and mid-pitched in tone and is the “asking for something” sound. The mewl, a short high-pitched meow, usually means “hello,” and can be accompanied by rubbing against your legs. A long, drawn-out meow usually means that your furry friend wants something specific, like dinner.
Cats tend to use pawing as a form of communication. Cats paw at us out of instinct, by accident, to give or get affection, and to get our attention. Most times, when cats paw at us, it means nothing serious. Sometimes, however, they are getting our attention to tell us that they are sick or in pain.
If your cat sleeps on your bed, he may choose a position that lets him see out your bedroom door more easily. If he's curled up in a ball under your bed or in a quiet corner, then he may be hiding. Cats who sleep under the covers might love being close to you, or they might be hiding to feel safer.
Companionship
Cats are often thought of as being independent creatures who are happy in their own company. But your cat can get lonely. Interacting with the human they love helps to enrich their lives (and yours). If your cat sleeps with you this indicates that they enjoy your company and want to spend time with you.
At most, you can get your cat's attention and they may even appreciate your attempts to communicate by purring or even meowing back. But to most cats, human meows sound like human language. Natural cat meows have a certain sound to it that humans likely cannot match.
Short meow or mew: A standard greeting. "Hello!" Multiple meows or mews: An excited greeting. "Great to see you!"
To summarise, cats don't think about their day or how they feel. But they do think about previous situations they have encountered. For example, when your cat is chilling out, it's not thinking about anything in particular.
If your cat licks or grooms you then it's a pretty good sign that they view you as a trusted member of their group. When they're in the litter as kittens, they groom each other as a way of bonding so grooming you is an extension of this behavior.
One simple way to know if your cat trusts you is if her tail stands straight up, especially when she sees you or walks toward you. Some cat experts consider it to be a “thumbs up” in cat lingo. If the tail quivers slightly, it's even more indication that the cat has positive feelings toward you.
Being picked up and held can make some cats nervous, as they are being restrained in your arms. This limits their options for escape if anything were to startle them. Cats are independent creatures, and although they often like to be up high, they like to choose their own perch and not be restrained whilst doing so.
They protest and demonstrate by talking back whenever their needs are not met. Some cats go even further and show their revolt when a cat parent doesn't permit certain activity or behavior. When they talk back to you it usually looks like a way to protect their dignity and their sovereign position in your home.
When your cat is snuggling up to you, it's pretty obvious she's displaying her thanks for all that you do. Kisses, in the form of gentle licks or full-on grooming, are that extra special way she shows you thanks. In a cat's world, to groom is to be grateful.
Cat meowing is a way of actively engaging you in conversation. When cats meow, they might be just saying hello, but sometimes they're letting you know what they need—right now!
Don't Stare at a Cat
You can make brief contact then look away and to the side. Offer the cat long, slow blinks, which translates to "I mean you no harm." The cat may reciprocate the blinks.
Turns out, it depends on the cat. Some cats are socialized as kittens to be held and kissed, while others haven't had that exposure and might be put off by a kiss as an expression of love. So, some cats like it and some cats don't—but there are ways of detecting the category into which your feline friend falls.
Ditch the catnip and try baby talk instead. Yes, you read that right: A recent study revealed that getting your pet's attention is as simple as speaking with a high-pitched tone and extended vowels, just like how you'd communicate with a human baby.
As we've noted, their purr relieves your stress and can help you heal and live a healthier life. Your cat also helps with feelings of anxiety and depression. Moreover, they are warm, comfortable purring machines to have in bed with you! There are also, however, some reasons you may not want to let them sleep with you.
Can cats sense emotions? Cats can sense how people are feeling, so your cat actually can tell when you're sad. “Cats can definitely sense when you are sad because they are highly attuned to your normal behaviors and moods, and if there is a change, they sense it,” Dr. Wooten told The Dodo.
The cat loaf pose typically indicates relaxation. Quoted in Inverse, Mikel Delgado, a cat researcher and postdoctoral fellow at the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis, explains that, tucked as they are, cat loaves are clearly not in a defensive position from which they could spring into an attack.