Your cat can be expected to meow in greeting when you come home, when she meets up with you in the house and when you speak to her. To solicit attention. Cats enjoy social contact with people, and some will be quite vocal in their requests for attention. The cat may want to be stroked, played with or simply talked to.
Cats are highly intelligent animals, and they have things to say. When cats meow at you, they are actively engaging you in conversation. They are most likely making eye contact. This vocalization may indicate simple hellos or something the cat would like you to do.
“Some cats are more affectionate than others, or they're more obvious with their affection,” Delgado explains. "For some cats, the way they show they love you is to want to be in the same room with you. For other cats, the way they show they love you is sitting on your chest and purring in your face.”
If you find it's around the time they're usually tucking in and they're staring at you with demanding eyes, it's likely that they're trying to use their best mind tricks to convince you to top up their food bowl. For added effect, they may also pair this stare with squeaks and meows to really get your attention!
Natural cat meows have a certain sound to it that humans likely cannot match. Just like how cats can't speak human languages, we can't speak cat language. While it certainly can't hurt to meow at your cat, you may have an easier time if you just stick to your own human language! Cats meow at us to get our attention.
Decoding your cat's language:
Short meow or mew: A standard greeting. "Hello!" Multiple meows or mews: An excited greeting. "Great to see you!"
Cats are often quite independent creatures but if they have a strong bond with you, they may simply follow you around because they want to be near to you and see what you're up to. Or perhaps they're waiting for you to sit down so they can jump on your lap for a snooze.
So if you find your cat sleeping on you, consider it a compliment because it means she considers you to be a part of her family. Remember, when cats are sleeping, they are at their most vulnerable, so they may only choose to snuggle up to people who make them feel safe.
Communication with your cat is key
That communication style may not include physical touch—being a cat's favorite person doesn't necessarily mean they want you to pet. A cat's favorite person may be the one who makes them feel comfortable and safe just by being in the same room with them.
Do cats like to be held as much as we like to hold them? If you do it correctly, the answer is yes. Many cats, despite the common and persistent myth that they are aloof, welcome affection from their people. In fact, petting and holding your cat helps build a loving relationship between the two of you.
Yes! According to Teresa Manucy, DVM, a veterinarian at VCA Fleming Island Animal Hospital, cats can recognize and differentiate their name from other household pets' names. She says this recognition is likely due to positive reinforcement or a cat's association of their name with attention, food, or play.
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.
Your cat follows you into the bathroom because they want to be a part of this daily ritual. Your cat may also follow you into the bathroom because they associate your routine with something else. For example, your kitty may have figured out you always feed them after your morning shower.
If you and your cat have a special bond, it's likely she's genuinely curious about what you're up to and wants to spend time with you. Your feline shadow might have caught on to the fact that the bathroom is a place she can often find you sitting, sometimes with your warm lap exposed!
Cats are often considered to be uncaring or disinterested toward their human family members, but this isn't true. Although cats don't need as much constant attention as most dogs, they do connect and bond with their humans, and they feel unhappy when separated for too long.
Licking is not only a grooming mechanism but also a way cats show that they love you. Your cat is creating a social bond by licking you, other cats, or pets. This sign of affection may stem from kittenhood when your cat's mother licked them to groom them and show care and affection.
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.
Research shows that cats can recognise their owners, and their owner's voice, even after they've been apart for a while. Find out how cats see their owners and if they recognise their own name.
Cats Can Identify Their Owners' Voices
According to Animal Cognition, cats can recognize their owners' voices. A test consisted of playing three vocal tracks to cats, one of which belonged to the owner and the other two to strangers. 75% of the cats responded to their owner's voice, while the rest ignored it.