We humans use words to communicate our feelings and thoughts. Cats can’t form words the way we do, but that doesn’t make them any less effective at getting their point across. They’ve mastered the art of meowing, and they have quite a variety of them.
Each meow can carry a different meaning, from a cheerful greeting to an urgent demand for dinner. So what do all these meows actually mean, and why do cats use them in the first place?
According to Purina, understanding why cats meow starts with looking at how the sound evolved over time. Researchers have compared domestic cat vocalizations to those of the African wildcat, their closest relative and also a vocal species.
What they discovered is fascinating: the domestic cat’s vocalizations have actually changed to become more pleasant to the human ear. Their meows are less threatening and more high-pitched and kitten-like than their wild cousins.
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This evolution makes sense when you consider that cats have learned to meow almost exclusively to humans. According to Purina, they rarely use meowing as part of cat-to-cat communication.
People are naturally more sensitive to these softer, higher-pitched sounds and more likely to respond positively, similar to how we react when a baby cries. Cats figured out pretty quickly that this type of vocalization gets results from their human companions.
When cats do communicate with each other, it looks and sounds quite different. According to PetMD, adult cats rely heavily on body language, scent marking, and other vocalizations like hissing or growling. They use postures, facial expressions, and tail movements to establish boundaries, show dominance, or invite play.
While PetMD notes that cats may occasionally meow at each other during friendly interactions or to seek attention, these non-verbal forms of communication are generally more effective for feline social life.
So why do cats actually meow at us? According to Purina, they’ve figured out that the way they meow can get them exactly what they want, particularly when it comes to food. Research shows that cat owners are significantly better at understanding their cat’s vocalizations than people who don’t live with cats.
When your cat meows, they might be greeting you, letting you know they’re hungry, asking to go outside or come inside, seeking your attention, or notifying you that something is wrong.
Of course, some cats take their vocal abilities a bit further than others. Purina notes that excessive meowing can become overwhelming for pet owners. If you find yourself with a particularly chatty cat, it helps to consider why they’re being so vocal.
For cats that meow constantly for attention, you can teach them that you’ll only respond when they’re quiet. Wait for a break in the meowing before you pet or play with them, and stop if they start up again.
