How do cats communicate with humans?

Updated 15/11/2024

We know cats have their own secret ways of chatting with each other, but do cats talk to humans? Your furry little friend might not be able to spill all their thoughts, but they definitely have ways to get their message across! So can cats talk, and how do cats communicate with humans? Let’s find out!

Key takeaways

• Cats communicate using both sounds and body language.
• They tend to save their vocal talents for humans, not other cats.
• They use body language to share their thoughts and feelings with cats and humans.

Can cats talk to humans?

While your kitty can’t exactly speak your language, they’ve got plenty of ways to “talk” to you with their own unique sounds.

Meowing

Cats that talk to us through meows are the most familiar form of cat communication, and they do it for all sorts of reasons:

• To say a friendly hello.
• They’re hungry.
• They want attention.
• To tell you they want to go outside/come inside.
• Older cats might meow if they’re feeling confused or disoriented, especially if they have cognitive issues.

Interestingly, while kittens meow at their fellow fur family, adult cats usually reserve this sweet sound just for us humans!

Purring

The purr is the sound every pet parent and cat sitter wants to hear when a kitty curls up on their lap. It’s usually a sign of contentment, but did you know it can also be a way for your cat to comfort themselves if they’re feeling stressed?

Hissing

It’s clear this is less friendly than the meow or the purr. Hissing is a sign your furry friend’s feeling scared, uncomfortable, or angry. Ignore this at your own peril – it could escalate to a yowl if you don’t back off!

A meow here, a hiss there – it’s clear cats have plenty to say! But this isn’t the only way cats talk to humans…

Cat body language and humans 

While cats might “talk” with their voices, their body language is often an even bigger giveaway of what’s going on in their furry little heads. Here’s a peek into what your kitty might be trying to tell you.

Facial expressions and eyes 

Your furry friend’s ears and whiskers are a good indication of how they’re feeling. Flattened ears might be a sign your purr pal’s scared, whereas if their ears are standing straight up, it means they’re on high alert. If whiskers are fanned out and stiff, they’re likely not in the best mood.

Cats also use their eyes to “speak”. The “slow blink” is your cat’s way of saying “I love you”, whereas staring without blinking could be a sign they’re feeling grumpy or aggressive.

The purrfect posture 

If your kitty arches their back with their hair standing on end, it might mean they’ve been spooked, nervous, about to become aggressive, or even attack. Give them some space – going over to comfort them could make them more upset or angry.

If they’re stretching out or showing off their belly, it means they feel safe and relaxed in your presence.

Rubbing against you

If your furry feline rubs their cheeks against you or gives you gentle head butts, it means they love you! They’re depositing pheromones to mark you as safe and “theirs”.

Talking to the tail

Looking at a kitty cat’s rear end is a tell-tail sign of how they’re feeling. If their tail stands straight up, it means they’re happy to see you. A tail that’s somewhere in mid-air might signal curiosity, and a low-lying tail that’s swishing from side to side might indicate they’re feeling scared or threatened. Cats will often swish a tail long before making any vocal sounds of unhappiness so it's a good sign to notice when interacting with cats.

Changing their toilet habits

If your kitty starts doing their business outside the litterbox, it’s likely to be a cry for help in the following areas:

• Their litterbox is too dirty.
• They don’t like the litter or the box itself.
• They’re not happy with the box’s location or can’t reach it.
• They may be struggling to step up into the litter box – common in older cats with osteoarthritis or joint issues. 
• They might be in pain when going to the loo. This can be from inflammation or infection in the urinary tract so seek help from your vet swiftly.
  

Some kitty cats are more talkative than others, but every cat has its own unique way of communicating. Whether it’s through a chorus of meows, a comforting purr, or a subtle flick of the tail, understanding cat communication helps us build stronger, more connected relationships with our feline friends. So, pay attention to those little signals – your furry friend might be saying more than you think!

Tips from pet parents and sitters who've seen it all

Our Community Forum is filled with knowledgeable pet parents and experienced sitters who've really mastered the art of understanding furry friends. With plenty of real, first-hand experiences, they were eager to chime in on the conversation and share how their pet pals tend to communicate with them.

• @richten1 told us about his first family cat, a 10-year-old rescue called Sam: "He [...] did everything on his terms. He’d run to the front door to be let out but get very upset if you opened the door and the weather was bad. He’d sit on the doorstep grumbling and then nip your ankle!"
• @Maggie8K explained how her pooch pal tells her what's up: "If I’m sitting in my recliner, my dog will walk up and rest his head on my foot if he wants attention. On rare occasions when he’s had a bad tummy overnight, he’ll hop on our sleeping selves and let us know, not pooping indoors. He’s really good about it, sweet boy."
• Pet sitter @Chrissy shared a great photo of the furry felines she takes care of twice a year: "This is the 'we need Dreamies desperately' pose and 'we are not moving until you open the tin!'"

Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been checked by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.