Cats can be very vocal animals, some can even say things like "milk" "moma" and "hello". All domesticated cats have their own vocabulary, and some love to talk. I am lucky enough to be greeted everyday when I walk out of my bedroom door by my one and a half year old cat Cobain.

The most common reason for a cat to meow is because they are hungry. Most cats are very picky about being fed, and when they are hungry they are going to let you know it. They will usually come up rubbing on your legs, or trying to climb right on top of whatever you are doing with a nice full meow. Cats will generally keep meowing until you get up and feed them, don't underestimate the power of a cats stomach. Muffin is an obese cat that lived at my mothers house, and she would cry in distress in the middle of the night if the food bowl wasn't full. Some cats take this a little more serious than others.

Another common reason is for those indoor/outdoor cats. Even with a cat door some like to use the real door, and will run back and forth from you to the door letting out little "mews". Almost as saying "please, please let me go out.".

Cats that are more talkative will greet you when coming home, or even when you just come into the same room. When they get to this stage you know you have a cat that loves you. When coming home after a couple of hours, Cobain will scold me like a mother. She will try to get right under my feet and go off like she is angry that I was gone for so long. When I leave less than a couple of hours she will still be waiting by the door, but won't be so angry and will greet me with a couple of miaows.

When your feline has something to show you or just wants you to follow them to the litter box so it can be changed, they will let out a gentle chirrup sound. This is also developed when they are kittens from the mother telling her babies to follow.

Cats on the prowl will make a clicking noise when they are following their prey. They do this by clicking their teeth together. When a indoor cat watches a bird it will use the same kind of method. This can often be pretty humorous if you've ever caught your feline friend scoping out the blue jays in the backyard.

When a cat wants attention they will also let you know with a meow. They develop this as kittens to let their mothers know when they need momma. In wild cats this fades away when they reach adult hood, but in our domesticated spoiled babies it carries on throughout their whole life.

Every cat lover enjoys laying down petting their intelligent friend listening to them purr in our laps, but a purr doesn't always mean that a cat is happy and comfortable. In fact, purring can also mean that the animal is in great distress and is very uncomfortable. You are able to tell by other signs whether this purr is from comfort or discomfort by the ears. When a cat has their ears down or back, they are uncomfortable.

Angry sounds are very easy to tell. If a cat is mad, you are going to know it. They will fluff up their fur, hiss and spit. Before they get to this stage of anger they will generally express growling and snarling. This message is very clear, leave me alone. Many cats will do this when they feel threatened, or when their territory is being invaded.

Learn more about this author, Melanie Treinen.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about The cat's meow: What cat noises really mean?
We want to hear your view. Write now!