hombre meowing is a elbow room of actively rent you in conversation . When cat-o'-nine-tails meow , they might be just say hello , but sometimes they ’re letting you know what they require — right now !

Hola ! Bonjour ! Aloha ! Meow ! There are many ways to say hello , and cat meowing is one of them . Caterpillar use meows only when they ’re communicating with humans . They do n’t meow to other cats . And while their vocalization repertoire admit many sounds ( whiz match contentment , hissing equals discontent ) , the miaou is just for us , their humans .

Why Do Cats Meow at Us?

Cats are highly intelligent animals , and they have matter to say . When cats meow at you , they are actively lease you in conversation . They are most probable score eye contact . This vocalization may indicate uncomplicated hellos or something the big cat would care you to do . In other words , a mew may be your pool stick to act .

According to Marilyn Krieger ( akaThe Cat Coach ) , a San Francisco - base certified bozo conduct consultant and writer ofNaughty No More : exchange Unwanted Behaviors Through Positive Reinforcement ) , the reply is dead !

Meowing , she says , is " a form of communication that facilitate construct a bond between a person and cat . " Krieger encourage computed tomography owners to chat up their cats , just like they would human supporter . " I talk to my hombre , " she suppose . " I boost it . "

small scared kitten meowing

Malcolm MacGregor / Getty

And when humans reply to cat meowing , the pool claim note . " The event of a conduct omen if a doings will be take over , " Krieger say . So when you respond to your cat ’s conduct , such as a meow , it encourages the khat to repeat the action . And this is how you get a conversation going . " When citizenry respond to cats , fundamentally you are aim your cat-o'-nine-tails to lecture back to you , " Krieger say . ( in reality , the jury is out on whether you ’re take aim your cat-o'-nine-tails , or Fluffy is develop you . )

What’s That Kitty Saying?

" Hi ! how are you!“Your cat may mew at you as you walk in the room access after work or when she run into you in the hall as she looks for a sunny spot to catch some ZZZs . This is a simple one - way communicating , much like a human ’s nod or tip of the hat .

" Hey , please notice me . “Cats are social creatures , just like humans , and they may throw a miaow your way to get your attending . you’re able to reply them back , and that may meet their want for conversation and attention . Or they may have other needs to be filled . ( Read on . )

" I ’m hungry over here!“Most quat are n’t shrinking violet when it come to demanding nutrient . If they ’re used to seeing that bowl full of vittles , they may meow at you to get you to fill up it up again if — heaven forbid!—you blank out . Likewise , if you offer treats at a sealed time of day , say just before bed , an inquiring mew could be asking , " Should n’t we be break out the Whisker Lickin ’s right about now ? "

" Where have you been?“Some cat proprietor find their pets are a little more verbal if they ’ve been entrust alone for longer than usual . For example , a Caterpillar could become super chatty after her owner returns from vacation .

" Lemme out ! " or " Lemme in!“Felines need to go where felines require to go , and when an indoor - outdoor computerized axial tomography keeps meowing at the door , she could be say you it ’s time to go out or to come back in . favored owners who have screened porches may find their cat-o'-nine-tails mew when they want in and out of the screened areas . Some CAT have specific room they prefer , and if the doorway is close , they will let you know about it .

What If My Cat Meows Too Much?

If your cat suddenly becomes more verbal than common , something might be wrong . fourth dimension to check in with your veterinarian .