Your furry friend, like all animals, has her unique way of communicating, her own cat language, but cracking the code of these interactions can be tricky for human family members. So, how do cats communicate?

If your cat is trying to get your attention, she'll often meow, or she'll employ non-verbal communication, such as silently staring at you, pawing at your leg, knocking your coffee cup off the kitchen table or scratching the couch, but this only scratches the surface of how cats communicate.

The Cat's Meow

Kitten with blue collar sitting on top of couch-back.

Cats do talk to their pet parents, typically using a meow to ask for her cat food bowl to be filled, or a whine to ask for more pets, and perhaps a hiss to tell you to back off. Some cat breeds, such as the Russian Blue and the Siamese, are very vocal and will chatter with you all day (and all night) long.

But what about cat-to-cat communication? If you share your home with more than one cat, you already know that they interact using verbal and non-verbal (scent markings, use of tail or paws, arching of the back, rolling around) cat language. Whether or not they understand each other in the same way that humans comprehend one another, however, is yet to be determined.

The majority of research conducted on cat communication focuses on how they communicate with humans. When speaking to their owners, cats employ a handful of distinct cat language sounds, including purr, hiss, howl, chirp, and, of course, meow. What's interesting to note is that your grown-up furry friend uses her meow as a special form of communication just for you and only you.

According to a study dubbed "Meowsic," launched in 2016 by Lund and Linköping universities in Sweden to examine how cats communicate with people (including whether or not cats mimic the same accents as their people), it was found that "adult cats only meow to humans and not to each other, most likely because their mothers stopped responding once they were weaned off her milk," explains The Science Explorer. What this confirms is that your fur baby really is your baby, so go ahead and proclaim proudly your status as a cat mom or cat dad. So, if you ever hear your cat talking, you can probably guess that she's trying to communicate with you rather than chatting up your other cat in the house.

The ABCs of Cat Language

Post-kittenhood, cats may not meow when interacting with each other. More often than not, they rely on non-verbal body language to express their feelings toward one another. But they do use vocalization as part of their cat communication, which is perhaps most evident during playtime, when your little critters growl, hiss or yowl at each other sometimes in sport, sometimes in fear or sometimes in anger.

In many ways, how cats behave toward us is not much different from the way they communicate with each other: nonverbally. "Putting their tails up in the air, rubbing around our legs, and sitting beside us and grooming us are exactly what cats do to each other," John Bradshaw, a cat behavior expert, tells National Geographic. This use of non-verbal communication is effective with humans as well as other cats.

Cats are considerably less demonstrative with their affection than dogs, says Bradshaw, but this doesn't mean that cats don't feel strong emotion. They just communicate it differently.

Although the field of cat behavior research is sparse in comparison to the many studies conducted on dogs and how pups think, behave, and communicate, it is well documented that cats are smart creatures—but you already knew that! So, while cats tend to have an independent nature, just know that they are communicating with you — you just may have to pay closer attention to their nonverbal cues to truly understand what she's trying to tell you.

Christine O'Brien Christine O'Brien

Christine O'Brien is a writer, mom, and long-time cat parent whose two Russian Blues rule the house. Her work also appears in Care.com, What to Expect, and Fit Pregnancy, where she writes about pets, pregnancy, and family life. Find and follow her on Instagram and Twitter @brovelliobrien.

Related articles

How Many Cat Breeds Are There?

Learn how the history behind different registries of cat breeds, how each registry differs in their classifications, and if new breeds are accepted.

Cats & Slow Blinking: What Does it Mean?

Learn what your cat really means when she blinks slowly at you and why it's a gesture you can give her in return.

Letting Your Cat Outside: What You Need to Know

Get tips on how to take the proper precautions when letting your kitten outside for the first time including the proper age and time of day.

Choosing the Best Kitten Food: What to Look For & Avoid

Learn how to identify the kitten food that best aligns with her nutritional needs, keeping her active and healthy as she grows into an adult cat.

My Cat Ate String: Dangers, What to Do & Treatments

Discover health issues that can occur if your cat eats string, what you should do if you're sure they did, and possible treatments your vet might suggest.

Suggestions for Grooming & Bathing Your Cat

Grooming is an important part of your aging cat's well-being. Learn tips to keep her looking good with these grooming tips for older, mature adult cats.

Changing Cat Food: How to Do It Safely

Cat's nutritional needs change as they age, so it is important to know when to change their food to keep them healthy and active.

Cat's Upset & Sensitive Stomach: Treatments & Food Choices

Just like people, cats can experience occasional stomach upset. If your cat exhibits any of the following, especially after eating, she may have a sensitive stomach.

Techniques for Obedience Training Your Kitten

Get some quick tips on how to shape your kitten's behaviour with early training. Learn what to do and what not to do.

Antifreeze Poisoning in Cats & What to Do If Your Cat Drank It

Learn about antifreeze and cats: what to do if your cat drank antifreeze, symptoms of antifreeze poisoning to watch for, treatment and prevention.

What Types of Litter, Food & Supplies Are Safe for Kittens?

Learn which types of products and supplies are safest for your kitten, including specific kinds of litter, food, shampoo, carriers, collars and toys.

Foods that are Dangerous or Toxic to Cats

Many human foods are dangerous to cats. Read about 5 of the worst toxic food offenders that can kill your cat - and how much it takes to hurt them.

Are Cats Good With Kids?

Are cats good with kids? Happily, the answer is yes! Use these tips to find the best cat for your family.

All About Kittens: A Comprehensive Guide for New Pet Parents

Preparing for a new kitten? Learn helpful tips for bringing home a feline friend, preparing your house, supplies you'll need, feeding tips & more.

Six Ways to Socialize Your New Cat

Socializing a cat into a new home takes patience and love. Discover these cat socialization tips to help an adopted cat adjust to her family.

Origins of 6 Common Cat Sayings

Learn about the origins of the most common cat phrases and exactly what it means when you hear one.

Deciding if a Natural Food is Best for Your Cat

Understand what natural cat food really means and how to pick a high quality natural cat food for your furry friend.

Kitten's Development Milestones: First Weeks & Months

Follow this timeline to learn the weekly & monthly progression of your kitten's development, including when to expect her to start walking & needing vaccines.

What Is the Best Couch & Furniture Material for Cats?

Wondering what couch materials will survive your cat's claws the best? Discover the best furniture material for cats, as well as some fabrics to avoid.

Ringworm in Cats: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Learn helpful information about ringworm in cats, including how cats become infected, symptoms to watch for, treatment options & prevention.