How Do Cats Communicate with Each Other?

Do cats have a language of their own? Cats can, in fact, communicate with each other. Primarily, cat communication involves various forms of vocalization, as well as body language and physical contact. Cats also communicate with each other through visual, olfactory, and chemical cues. The way your cat “talks” with you may also be different with how he communicates with other cats. You may be able to better understand your feline friend if you watch out for the different ways, he can express himself.

Vocalization

Do cats communicate with each other by meowing? They are known to meow or purr, but they are actually capable of making a wide range of vocalizations to express themselves in different situations. Purring, is a common form of vocalization for felines. When cats purr, we assume they’re happy or content. Cats may hiss, purr, growl, or howl in varying volumes and intensities to interact with other animals, people, or situations.

Does the cat’s meow to communicate with each other? They sometimes greet each other with a meow, but meowing is mostly reserved for getting the attention of their human companions. You may hear your cat meow when he wants to be fed or is seeking your attention. However, you wouldn’t normally hear a feral cat meow in the same way a domestic cat does—they are used to hiding from people, not communicating with them.

How do cats communicate to each other if they’re feeling agitated? Growling or hissing at another cat would indicate fear or anger. This is typically a signal that he sees the other cat as a threat. If the threat isn’t removed or continues to approach, the hissing can escalate to a more intense form of vocalizations such as snarling, spitting, or yowling, just before the cat decides to attack. A cat may also hiss, snarl, or growl when it is startled or in pain. 

Body Language/ Physical Contact

How do cats communicate with each other? Body language ad making physical contact is also an important means by which cats “talk” to each other. The way a cat moves or how his tail or ears are positioned could tell you a lot about a cat’s mental or emotional state when in the presence of another cat.

Cats use their bodies to show affection for other cats. For example, felines may touch or rub their noses as a form of greeting. Other signs that cats are at ease with each other include:

• Upright ears

Upright ears easily tell you that a cat is at ease in the presence of another cat.

• Closed or half-closed eyes

You cat is comfortable and trusting enough to close his eyes in the presence of another cat.

• Exposed belly

Rolling on its back with an exposed belly could indicate trust and letting down his guard. However, some experts have observed that an exposed belly could be a sign of aggression in cats.

• Hooking or rubbing tails together

Cats may hook their tails against each other as a sign of friendship or affection.

How do cats communicate with other cats that they haven’t met before? If a cat meets a cat that’s unfamiliar, the body language you can expect can be a little more tense. You’re probably aware of how felines can be territorial. If it sees a strange cat “breaking into” it’s territory, you can expect the hissing and snarling coupled with some defensive body language, which may include:

• Tail lashing

How do cats communicate with their tails? When a cat’s tail is moving slowly from side to side, your cat is showing aggression. A tail that’s downwards or positioned in between the legs could be a sign of fear or submission.

• Wide open eyes

How do cats communicate with their eyes? Wide-open and dilated eyes indicate that your cat is highly alert

• Ears lying flat

Ears lying flat against the head could tell you that a cat is ready to fight.

How do cats communicate with their kittens? It’s common to see mother cats may lick the top of their kittens’ heads as a way of showing affection. Even as cats grow older, licking and grooming other cats becomes their way of showing tenderness and care to family members, which may include animals other than cats, and even humans.

Chemical Signals

Cats have exceptionally keen senses that allow them to perform amazing feats. For example, it’s quite possible for a cat that has gotten lost or displaced over a long distance to find its way back home. When cats urinate or rub against people, other cats, or parts of their surroundings, they are actually making their mark by leaving their own scent glands to mark their “territory.” Scent markers help cats navigate easier around their environment.

When cats rub against each other, they are communicating at a much deeper level than meets the eye. How do cats communicate with their tails? Cat scent oils and pheromones are present on a cat’s tail, as well as other parts of his body including his cheeks, paws, forehead, flanks, and rectum. When you see two cats rubbing noses, bodies, or tails, this tells you that these cats are very fond of each other. Cats use scent glands to:

• Identify family members
• Create familiarity with other cats
• Bond or show affection
• Initiate mating
• Define territory
• Self-soothe
• Express covert aggression

How do cats interact with each other? If you’re interested in getting better at reading your cat, try watching and listening more closely to your cat. Observe behavior patterns and spot differences between how he behaves around you and when around other cats.

Not even experts claim to fully understand the nuances of cat communication but it can be pretty easy to tell if a cat wants attention, is acting friendly or being aggressive. 

How do cats communicate with other cats? Cats purr or meow but when communicating with other cats, it’s been observed that a cat’s body language can tell you a lot more about what your pet wants or how he’s feeling, even if our cat doesn’t make a sound.