by Sammy Stein

Created on: February 12, 2008

My cats speak to me - no, no, I am not crazy enough to think they actually 'speak' to me but they communicate very effectively.

They use several methods to get their message across.
1) Eyes- both my cats have developed this long blink - at first I was not sure what it meant as they did not do it when we first got them from the rescue centre but now I understand it is a greeting. A long blink indicates that they are relaxed, they can afford to close their eyes because they know nothing bad will happen when you - to whom the blink is directed- are present.

An even more direct stare is reserved for when they want something- usually food but also to come up on the furniture, to be picked up or simply for me to answer their meows. It is the 'request stare' as I call it.

Then there is the full on ' don't you dare ignore me' stare. This is done close to the face and as the cat approaches you. It means 'get up and let me out- I need a wee!' or 'Feed me now!' or even ' you are about to be groomed!' and is the 'demand stare'.

2) As well as their eyes my cats use their tails - strange as this may sound they have definite tail positions. If the end of the tail is held up and curled to the front like a little question mark, this is a greeting. It is often done along with the slow blink.
A quick lashing means ' gerroff!' and a slow, idle side to side move along the floor means
'I like where you're tickling me!'

A gentle flip means they are still alive and can hear you calling but they are pretending to be asleep - this is a real give away if they pretend to not hear you as their tail is th only sign of life.

A very erect tail means they are wary or frightened and need reassurance. They often come racing in with their tail ike this if a big cat scares them or they get chased by a neigbour (usually for being where they shouldn't).

3) Meows - these are the most varied and you do not have to look so carefully.
A short chirrup is 'hello' and a slightly longer chirrup is their calling. If I hide (yes, I know!) or if they cannot find me when they come in, they chirrup until I answer.
There is the yowl - this is when they are frightened or get a shock - they need reassurance.

There is also the plain meow - this is 'feed us' or ' groom me'.

There is also the chatting meow where the cat will keep 'talking' until you acknowledge them. This is simply them needing your attention or to be acknowledged, the same way they would seek attention from the dominant cat in the wild - they need this reassurance

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