If cats only meow to communicate with humans, then how do they communicate with each other?

Question

I've always wanted to know this.

Answer 1

Cats do far more than meow to communicate with either humans or other animals (including other cats). They have quite a variety of vocal sounds including meows, yowls, chirps, chatters, hisses, purrs and growls - all of which can mean different things in different situations.

Besides the voice, cats use body language to communicate. A swishing tail can mean irritation or excitement. A gentle flick of the tail tip can mean contentment. Ears flat back can mean fear or anger. Peering at you with his eyes half-closed means he trusts you. Racing around the room with the tail held in an inverted-U means playtime! These are just a small sampling!!

Lastly, cats use scents to communicate. When your cat rubs her face against an object, she is using scent glands on her face to deposit pheromones. When cats spray small amounts of urine on upright objects, this is a form of territory marking.

Cats are masters at communication - we simply need to learn to interpret their message better!

Answer 2

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RE:
If cats only meow to communicate with humans, then how do they communicate with each other?
I've always wanted to know this.

Answer 3

cats dont meow to communicate with humans they meow because that's what they do and it's their language. Cats meow, purr, lick, snuggle, hiss, growl, thump, scratch and thwack each other to communicate. They do they same with us but probably dont give a hoot if we understand them or not. Cats tolerate those around them us included.
Mikala

Answer 4

who said they only meow to humans?? I have 2 cats and they talk to each other all the time!! alot of it is body language, like i know when they are about to attack each other (play fighting) and I know when they want to just lay there with each other, but they do verbally communicate together also!

Answer 5

Body language. Ever wondered why their ears swiveled back or their tail swished left to right? There are a variety of signs to be read through the pose and movement of a cat. Not only that, but they emit scents, and make an array of sounds. There are hisses, growls, yowls, meows, chirps, short barks and purrs. As for the movement, it's easy to tell how they are. For the tail,
- Swishing side to side: Angry/ annoyed
- Held up high: Proud/ happy
- Between the legs: Scared/ aggessive
- Twitching: Interested

EARS
- Held high and facing forward: Alert/ interested/ happy
- Held back: Annoyed/ interested
- Flattened completely: Aggressive

There are obviously many other signs to be seen through the eyes, mouth and overall stance of the cat. Like an arched back, bristly fur, etc. (Takes a deep inhale) GOD I ALMOST SUFFOCATED EXPLAINIGN ALL THAT!!! ;)

Answer 6

Your question has a flawed assumption. Cats also meow to communicate with one another. For example a female cat in heat meows, well, like a cat in heat...and I am sure she isn't trying to communicate with humans.

Answer 7

The basic MEOW or MIAO or EEOW are reserved strictly for interspecies - cat to human - communication. When cats meet each other, they do not MEOW the way we human hear it. They vocalize differently; they growl, hiss, spit, yowl and use a wide array of well choreograph body signals to communicate to each other. So, in short, the sweet MEOW, the angry MEOWWWW@#%$^#, the distress MEOW! MEOW! MEOW!, the impatient MEOWWWW! MEOWWWW! and most precious of all, the silent (...m...e...o...w...) are all directed at you. :)

Answer 8

Cats communicate in a variety of ways. Body stance, hissing, growling, positioning of eyes and ears, twitching their tails, are just a few. They also signal submissiveness by rolling on their back and exposing their bellies. And last but least, you really are nobody until you have been ignored by a cat. This is how they show disdain!

Answer 9

Cats meow to each other to, plus they hiss at each other and some have a growling noise! I see them making different faces and moving there eyes different ways. My cat looks at me and has different expressions on his face and then meows in different tones wanting different things. Just like kids, using different looks and pouting!

Answer 10

they meow, also sniff each other and produce scents that other cats can detect. The scents let others know that this cat thinks he is in charge, etc. If they are angry, they will hiss.

Answer 11

Same way.

Cats just consider humans as large, funny shaped cats with poor senses.