why does my cat answer when spoken to?

Question

whenever i talk to the cat she meows back, she rarely answers if anyone else talks to her, she also has different meows, it is very funny but i just wondered how she knows i am speaking to her and not to my partner. she also joins in conversations between me and my partner its as if she knows what we are saying

she also has the most scary crying noise it is worse than a baby.

she is not hungry as she is a house cat and has a constant supply of food

Answer 1

As you can tell by the flurry of answers here, it isn't uncommon for cats to respond vocally to their owners. Cats have very keen hearing and are able to pick up on a far more complete range and pitch of sound than we can. Thus it's no problem for a cat to decipher the subtle shift in the patterns of your voice when you talk to her, as opposed to friends or others. Sometimes we are not conscious of the minute shifts in our speech when we address our cats -- yet they have no trouble picking up on what are tell-tale clues that it's them you're addressing.
Science now readily agrees that cats display a bonding inclination similar to that of dogs. Though they don't display the same blatant slobbering over the top signs that their canine counterparts do. Felines are more disposed to providing vocal responses to their owners -- much like what you've asked about. They also show affection by looking directly at their owners and blinking; obviously purring; a soft short little "grunt" in response to pleasant actions by the owner (petting, praising, etc.); and a number of other very "reserve" behaviors and actions.
A number of cats (some breeds more than others) find conversations between people engaging and stimulating -- thus their "joining in" as a way of interaction and enjoyment for them.
Of course all of this could just be allot oh hooey and all our feline friends are really doing is saying "TUNA!!! Give me the damn tuna!" over-and-over again.
Hope this helps. --Andy

Answer 2

I decided long ago, based on the number of cats I raised over the years, that some cats do indeed "talk" - sometimes more clearly than humans. And even if a cat doesn't communicate through its voice, the body language can speak volumes. You are a privileged person in that your cat talks only to you. Cats are very pcky, as you know; and she has evidently decided that only you are the most interesting person to have a conversation with. Cats are great judges of body language themselves, and that's how she knows you are speaking to her and not your partner. Your eyes, expression, how your body is "tuned" toward her, clearly says to her that you are talking to her. And, when she knows you are having a conversation with your partner, she naturally wants to put in her two cents' worth. It's not so much as what you are saying, it's how you say it.

I, too, have a cat that gives me a running commentary on everything. And because I've had so much practice, I am extremely qualified to hang this sign on my wall. It has pictures of 3 cats of different colors and sizes, with the caption "Meow Spoken Here." Funny that my college doesn't recognize the Meow language in its curriculum. It would be a very easy A.

Answer 3

Some cats are more vocal than others. I've found that mine only talk to me... she clearly loves you!! Bless her.

I have one that talks to me whenever he comes in... we frequently have a meowing conversation. And if I tell him he can't have food, he meows like a mad thing.

Another one comes in and cries until I pick her up and cuddle her. When she's had enough love she jumps down and out of the cat flap!

They're all different - like people, some talk more than others, some don't talk and some you just can't shut up!

And all of mine come when they're called! Maybe because I treat them like babies.........

Answer 4

Many cats are very vocal. They come to understand your voice, just like a dog. I am sure that you speak to your cat in a voice that you do not speak to "another" human. Even when you don't speak to her in kitty talk, your voice is still recognizable and she has become accustomed to it. There are some cats that are more vocal than others. Siamese cats or even Siamese mixes are very vocal. My cat that I just lost after 18 years was very vocal. At one time, it was just with me, but when I remarried, as as she became use to my husband, she was very vocal with him, especially when he talked directly to her. She too would interrupt our conversations as if she was telling us something; sometimes she would meow and walk a few steps and take me to where she wanted me to see something. It could be her food was low; she didn't like to see the bottom of her bowl, her water was low, her box, anything. I do believe with gentle talking, simple commands, they are just as trainable as any other animal.

Answer 5

All the cats I have ever "had" have done this. One exceptional cat, now dead, did understand speech to the extent of doing what he was asked.
Have you ever come across the Moscow Cat Circus? It's worth looking up as the cats do the most extraordinary things, and since acts only do what they want to do, to see them walking tightropes, walking on hindpaws, on front paws and so on is awesome.
They are clever enough to avoid doing things on command since we would then use them the way we do dogs.
When I die, I'd like to come back as a cat, in certain select places.

Answer 6

They're not as dumb as you might think.

Cats can understand basic commands like dogs can, although they need to be trained differently, and are sometimes less apt to do what you want than dogs. Again, they understand differently.

Your cat is giving you an O.K everytime it hears something that it is not threatened by. 'Mow' just sort of means, alright, I'm still here, if you're looking for my input. Of course bring a Rottweiler to the party, or dump a bucket of water on her, and you'll hear her complaint.

Answer 7

I wonder that too sometimes. I have 5 cats and I think I remember reading somewhere that they sense a need for attention in humans and know when they are kind-of looking for your support. Her joining in your conversations is probably a way to say that she is hungry though.

Answer 8

She understands you perfectly,
because your cat looks on you ,as her own special person.

You are the one she has trained,
to care for her and respect her ,

she honors you with her special response ,when you are good .
Your cat is your greatest fan ,

and should you speak to another human ,she approves of,
she will also converse with him as well .

Ah me! it is good , to be owned by a cat ,
who truly understands you.

>^,,^<

Some cats are more vocal than others Siamese and Burmese in particular , have very loud distinct voices !

Answer 9

Cats are clever...my two will chatter and meow to me when im down or feeling lonely..even when i dont say anything! they tune into thier owners i think. But they dont do this to my partner or members of my family. I think it maybe also has to do with your tone of voice,your just lucky to have such a chatty cat..lol

Answer 10

It has been proven that cats can detect changes in the rhythm and tone of voice. So your cat is probably picking up on minute changes in your voice even when you don't realise you are doing it.
I noticed my cat would always come over when I was upset, angry and even ill. He wouldn't even be put off when I pushed him away but was persistent.