What Cats Think When You Meow At Them?

If you share your home with a cat or two, chances are, you have regular conversations with them. We often dip into “baby talk” when we address our feline friends.
But do cats actually enjoy it when you talk to them? And what's the best way to talk with your cat? In this video, we’ll talk about the verbal communication style, the “meow speak”, and its importance in building a strong bond with your feline friend.

Do cats understand human speech?
Cats are intelligent animals with an exceptional sense of hearing.

Your cat has studied the tone, pitch, and inflection of your voice through daily interactions. They can easily tell when you are angry, sad, or frustrated.

When you come to your cat with a sweet, soft, baby-like voice, this is when they know you are happiest, and they prefer this tone of voice.
On the other hand, when you use a stern tone to tell your cat to jump down from the kitchen counter, your cat understands that you mean business. Over time, your cat will not only learn to respond to it, but also respect it as a voice of authority.

Although cats have a reputation for ignoring their owners, new research indicates that cats pay close attention to humans, recognizing names and vocalizations. A study by Kyoto University showed that cats can identify their own name, nicknames, and the names of other cats and even the names of their owners. This indicates cats can link names to faces without explicit training, as they spend much of their time observing us to gather information.
After all, our cats dedicate much of their days to observing us so that they can gather more information about us

How should you talk to your cat?
When talking with your cat, the tone of voice you use matters.
Cats find comfort in a calm, soft tone.
And like with other animals and humans, cats can become distressed with loud voices or harsh tones.

Keep in mind that consistency in tone is key when speaking to your cat. If your kitty is misbehaving, you should use a tone that shows authority. If you use the same soft, happy voice you praise your kitty with, they will get confused. Always use proper tones with your pet so they understand what you’re trying to communicate to them.

How Often Should I Talk to My Cat?

Cats can become lonely easily. Cats are not solitary creatures that thrive on isolation. As domesticated animals, they enjoy attention and interaction with their human companions.

Make an effort to involve your pet in your conversations. After all, cats have feelings and enjoy attention from their favorite humans. They are social animals who love having friends around to talk to and hang out with.

Even though you and your cat don’t exactly speak the same language, talking to them like you would a friend or family member will strengthen the bond you share, and they will appreciate the attention.

Do cats like it when you meow at them?
Sorry to break it to you, but human meows mean nothing to cats. To most cats, human meows sound like human language. But cats are proficient learners and will quickly associate your meow with whatever you teach them through repetition.

Do cats like it when you blow in their face?
No, your cat does not like it when you blow air on their face because it's a natural instinct to protect their sensitive noses and whiskers. The sensation of air blowing directly at them can be uncomfortable or irritating for them.

The right way to speak "meow" to your cat
You can talk to your cat in your own native language, but you can also learn some clever ways to speak “meow”.
Cats are experts at reading body language so matching your words with the right gestures can help you get your message across.
For example, cats use a "slow blink" to show trust in their humans and other felines. You can mimic this slow blink technique to let your kitty know how much they mean to you. Simply make eye contact with them and slowly open and close your eyes.
Another way your kitty shows affection is by bumping you with their head or nose. Gently returning those head bumps is likely to get a purr of pleasure in response. You can initiate a nose bump by extending a knuckle at your cat's level and inviting them to give it a sniff.

[docadams]

I meowed to my cat many years ago. She looked startled, and then she looked at me like, "Wow! That human knows my language!"

[glamp]

This may sound weird, but, everyone in our house talks to our cat constantly. She loves being included & rewards us with plenty of head bumps, ‘grooming’ us & churttles.

[OmegaFox]

Cat: mrowr!

All cat owners and Me: I know baby!

[lisadefries]

I think some cats totally enjoy human attempts at meowing. I dont think we speak quite the same language as our cats but they know we trying to show love and to connect with them

[helenlloyd]

On Monday morning I said to my cat. See you tonight, she nodded her head twice and winked. My cat is highly intelligent and her sense of humour it is amazing. She is a brilliant companion.

[cdynes]

I would meow and trill and make purr noises and my kitty friends would answer back. I would also get down on floor level and stretch like they did. Eventually they would try to groom me. They probably thought I was a Big cat who walked on two legs, lol😊. I also did exposure therapy with one kitty that had PTSD, from being abused by the former owner. I recognized the symptoms, the hyper vigilance, lashing out and hissing at others. I worked with the kitty until it learned to trust me. He really bonded with me, and would wait by the door in the mornings after I worked night shifts at a mental health facility. He would wait at the door for me to come home and he would dance around on his hind legs as I fed him breakfast and I had mine, then would tuck me in making biscuits, and slept the same hours as me. He was a loyal loving cat. I had him til he passed . Still miss him. Cats are very intuitive and intelligent. They have the capacity to feel like humans and remember trauma inflicted on them as well. They remember and cherish who shows kindness and compassion. At least he was happy in my home . I still miss him. He didnt meow so much as coo like a pigeon and loved to talk. 🙍

[jamesloll]

My cat meows at me? She wants my attention. I meow at her? She knows I WANT her attention. Especially when I use the same inflections she does meowing!

[danielstrobel]

I once closed a nook my cat liked. When I got home the next day my cat meet me at the door, walked me to the place of my offence and made clear what I had to do!

If it would have started talking I would not have been suprised in the least!

[rinadangelo]

Same. We have an amazing bond and connection. We understand each other... ❤

[Vikingcat]

Cat thinking, " So you think if you meow at me human I'm gonna give you a treat " 🐾😄

[getreadyforthelamb]

My husband would hide, like in a closet. I'd ask kitty where is Joe? then she would go to where Joe was hiding. She was a very smart cat and could understand about 20 words.

[avertthymortaleyes]

I sing little tunes to my cats for each of their names. They love it. I get their approving blinks.

[Sassygrandma]

My cat and i have conversations. She is not a baby. She is my buddy. I say something. She meaws. Conversation.❤

[robertrussell]

My outside cat always talks to me and when I pick her up and hold her with her paws over my shoulder I whisper to her and she nuzzles my face and just purrs and purrs❤❤❤

[breakfasthole]

Cats understand more words than studies give them credit for. One of ours needed ear drops and didn't like having them. She would hide when she heard us talking about 'ears', knowing the ear drops would be coming out next.

[davidletasi]

I know that when my cat Jackson becomes very loud vocally, it frequently hurts my ears! I occasionally meow back to him in the same maner! He will frequently lower his meowing volume and change the sound as well. I will return the same call again but change it slightly. He responds accordingly. Im not sure if it is actually communication, but he seems more content and calms down. If i remain silent and just ignore him, his vocal cries become excessively loud! I would rather try to calm him by talking with cat calls and human words of kindness. Of course, finding the problem like "let me out" or "im hungery" or "pick me up to cuddle" always keeps him happy. He is now over 18 years old, and we have had this conversation since he was a kitten! He is loud, annoying, and an absolute treasure. I wouldn't have it any other way!❤❤❤

[seansimone-ek]

I hug and kiss my cat every day and have many conversations with him. He was adopted. He seems to really love his home and appreciate it. I can see it in his eyes. He is super affectionate loves belly rubs.

[cmrsnowflake]

The other day one of my cats was agitated and kept trying to get my attention by knocking things over. I wanted to read my book. I finally got him to settle down by reading it out loud and replacing the character names with his name and nicknames. He really is happiest when he feels involved.

[leonorakristinerozalinamll]

It is very individually for each cat if they love kisses and hugs...some cats enjoy it more than others.

[MarcusCactus]

I can identify some meanings in my adult cat's meowings: hello ; wake up ; the food bowl is empty ; where are you? ; may I sit in your lap?
He also has gestures, for example 'Take me in your arms' (paws on my chest or shoulder) is different from 'Pet me' (one paw on my arm).
Or he jumpes on the kitchentable and points to the surface, in order that I give him treats.
Sometimes he smells politely my plate, but knows how to eye signal "I am tempted" and waits gently until I cut some for him to taste.

When cuddling, I use the same words or sentences. "Moi aussi je t'aime (Me too I love you)" is one he recognizes and purrs to. His younger female companion understands "Are you my fiancée?" as a message of love and comes getting a caress.