Have you ever felt like your cat might be communicating with you? A small glance or a touch? One that would have the hair stand up for no reason? Chances are, they might be.
Cats are one of the most intelligent animals. And their communication skills reflect that at
As Evidenced in a Study…
Evidence of this is a recent study done at the Sloof Lirpa Institute in Brussels. The results of which show that all members of the cat family Felidae Are capable of high levels of telepathy
Experiments conducted on various cat species at Planckendael Animal Park near Brussels. Researchers engaged the cats in a unique interaction. Prompting them to gaze while contemplating specific concepts such as color, shape, direction, or action.
Sensors set up to the cats to monitor vital signs. This included heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. The responses to colors or shapes were inconclusive. However, a notable 87% of the time, the cats exhibited discernible reactions. This occurred when the researcher focused on a particular direction or action.
For instance, envisioning running to the left caused the cat to tense up and appear ready to chase. While contemplating laying down or sleeping led to the cat’s body relaxing accordingly.
But how do cats communicate with each other? Let’s discuss it below.
Physical Cues
Observe your cat’s body language for signs of friendliness and confidence.. A friendly cat typically holds its tail high, ears forward, and body tall.
If approaching a cat, the tail may have a forward crook. Moreover, rolling over to show the belly expresses comfort. However, uncertainty or discomfort is indicated by crouching, tucking the tail, and observing.
Eye contact plays a crucial role in cat communication. A blink signals receptiveness. While looking away, licking lips, crouching, and ear movements indicate feeling threatened.
Aggressive behavior may occur when a cat perceives a threat and aims to increase distance. This includes hissing or growling, arched backs, flattened ears, and tail lashing,
Vocal Cues
Cats communicate with each other through meows and trills. However, research indicates that they meow more frequently when interacting with humans. The meow seems to be a solicitation for care when directed at people.
Purring is a versatile vocalization. It occurs during both inhalation and exhalation. Cats purr not only in the company of other cats but also when interacting with humans.
Purring is observed during many activities. These include kneading blankets, rolling on the ground, or rubbing against items. While commonly associated with happiness, cats may also purr when unwell. Making it a complex vocalization that requires further study.
Physical Contact
Cats express sociability and affection through various physical interactions. They greet each other by touching their noses. Or showing affection through head rubbing and body contact, and may intertwine tails. It’s important to note that cats usually don’t appreciate long strokes along their backs. Their preferred areas for contact are the head and the sides of their bodies.
Cat Marking
Cats engage in rubbing against each other or objects. Here, they transfer pheromones and oils from scent glands on their foreheads, cheeks, and chins. Additionally, they exchange scents through body and tail contact. Cats use this behavior to mark their territory, leaving scent trails on prominent objects in the home.
In some cases, cats may resort to spraying urine as a territorial marking behavior. While common in strays, indoor cats may exhibit spraying. This is a response to the presence of an outside cat on the property.
