Cats are very cute creatures, but they rarely make contact with people. Sometimes it seems that they live only to eat deliciously, sleep soundly and damage furniture. The results of many studies prove that these furry creatures, despite all their arrogance, are strongly attached to their owners. They communicate with people using facial expressions and every person should learn to understand them. Many researchers are sure that if a cat looks at a person with squinted eyes and blinks slowly, it means they like everything and feel safe. But what happens if you start speaking to them in their own language? For example, sit in front of them, look into their eyes with a relaxed gaze and blink slowly? During a scientific experiment, it was proven that in this way you can establish close contact with animals and truly make friends with them. But let's look at the essence of the study and its results in more detail.
It seems scientists will soon decipher all cat language
Talking cat: explanation
Here are the most common types of meow translated into human language:
- Short, high-pitched meow: “Hello, human! How's it going?"
- Several short sounds at the same time: “I’m so glad you’re home! Instead of jumping on you like a stupid dog, I’ll just say I missed you!”
- A soft, pleading sound: “I’m hungry. Feed me now!”
- A long or low meow: "You're really getting on my nerves, human servant!"
Animal sounds
Evolving, each species invented its own sound signals. Some of them are understandable to all representatives of the animal world. For example, in many languages, hissing means dissatisfaction, and a trumpet call means a call for mating. But in most cases, the sound code is understood exclusively by related species. For example, the meaning of a horse's neighing is clear to another horse, but does not carry a semantic load for a cat.
Sound arsenal:
- frog - 6;
- chicken - 13;
- cat - 16;
- rooster - 15;
- dolphin - 32;
- fox - 36;
- monkey - 40;
- tit - 90;
- raven - 300.
These numbers do not mean the number of letters, but the number of sound combinations used by animals.
Even the fish are not silent. According to recent research, they use sound signals to transmit information, and also sneeze, cough and wheeze.
In some species, such as vervet monkeys, phonetic signals have a wide associative range. For many predators they have an individual sound code. The alarm call that announces the approach of an eagle is different from that of a leopard.
Vervet monkeys are quite inventive in their use of sound signals.
What animals imitate human speech?
Science knows of many cases of successful imitation of human speech by representatives of the animal kingdom. Birds turned out to be the most trainable.
Animals that can imitate human speech:
- Feathered. Some species of parrots can remember and pronounce about a thousand words. Crows show good results. They are considered even more talented than exotic cockatiels.
- Monkey. Due to their physiology, they can pronounce 5 vowel sounds. However, in imitation of speech they are significantly inferior to birds. So far, the trainers have only managed to achieve an imitation of the speech of a one-year-old child.
- Dolphins and seals. Particularly gifted individuals can imitate simple words and even small phrases while exhaling.
- Elephants. In a zoo in South Korea lives Kosik, who can clearly pronounce 5 words.
- Cats. These furry creatures can do more than just meow. Masi from Azerbaijan gained worldwide fame for learning to pronounce more than 10 words.
Dolphins can speak short phrases
Imitating human speech and communicating are different concepts. The exception is the parrot Alex. As part of Dr. Irene Pepperberg's research, he showed the ability to perform basic analysis and logical reasoning using simple verbal structures.
Cat "speech"
However, recognizing the meaning of meow is only part of learning cat language.
Their range of sounds—from soft purrs to seething hisses—let us know whether a cat is happy or angry. Cats make a variety of sounds that range from expressing contentment to calling for help, from begging for food to expressing absolute terror.
An angry, scared or aggressive cat may hiss, which is a clear warning that you should not come any closer. The hissing is often accompanied by a scream, a guttural warning sound. If you don't suspect that your cat is suffering from pain or injury, then it's best to stay away from her.
Is purring a sign that your cat loves you? Rest assured. The velvety, vibrating sound is one of the best sounds you can hear from your fur friend! A cat's emotions can be a mystery, but hearing purrs is a clear sign of happiness and affection in your pet.
However, in some cases, purring can be a sign of pain, so if you notice that the sounds are unusual, take your pet to the veterinarian for a check.
Simple rules for communicating with a cat
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Even if you don't like cats, you've probably heard about the complex nature of these animals. Purrs are always friends and communicate with people (including their owners) exclusively on their own terms. Our publication is mainly addressed to novice cat owners - those who are just thinking about or have recently acquired a purring pet. The rules of cat etiquette are not complicated at all, you just need to know them. Anyone can make friends with a cat! A word from US doctors Dr. Isabelle Farly and Dr. Ilona Rodan.
Be tactful and respect your pet’s personal space. This is an indispensable condition for its successful maintenance. You should not unceremoniously grab him into your arms and impose your caresses, “kisses” and “hugs”. Let your furry friend take the first step and come closer to you.
Chasing a cat around the apartment, trying to catch it, is a harmful and futile activity. Imagine a fifteen-meter giant giant desperately chasing you and chasing you. Sounds fantastic? However, we accurately maintained the proportions: this is approximately the “giant” you are for your purr.
Four simple tips
First. Try to keep your apartment fairly quiet, without loud, harsh or frightening sounds. Second. Do not hang over your pet like an unshakable, menacing rock, do not dominate him. If you want to play or chat, it’s better to sit on the floor for better perception, achieve eye contact at eye level. Third. Do not invade the cat's personal space; rather, invite the animal into your own personal space. Fourth. Do not chase your mustache: many animals are terribly afraid of them, they are driven by strong fear. Gradually, they will begin to associate your near appearance exclusively with fear.
It is possible that you will want to meet a completely unfamiliar cat on the street. The reaction is expected to be very different: from friendliness to sharp rejection and even aggression. Perhaps you will feel a spark of sympathy flare up between you. Try not to scare the animal so as not to spoil anything. Don't make sudden movements. Even random noise, an extra careless step can greatly harm the further development of your relationship.
Still, be extremely careful with street (stray) cats. Try to behave modestly, do not interfere with your pleasantries: by doing this you will protect yourself from bites, and from scratches, and from “cat’s claw disease”, and from something worse (for example, rabies).
Rabies is a deadly disease that is transmitted by a bite. It is very dangerous! A stray cat can also suffer from a number of other serious illnesses. For example, viral diseases of the upper respiratory tract or viral panleukopenia (“feline distemper”). These diseases do not pose a danger to people, but they can also be transmitted by humans (on their hands or clothes). Thus, there is a great risk that, completely unwittingly, simply by contacting a sick animal, you will infect your pet. Let's not forget about fleas: both insects and their eggs successfully move on human clothing and shoes. So not everything is as simple as it seems.
We all go to visit sometimes – some rarely, some more often. Surely one of your friends owns cats. Be sure to ask how their pets behave towards strangers. It is no secret that annoying collisions are possible: some hiss, grab their legs, scratch painfully, etc. Thus, the favorite of distant acquaintances of one of the authors of these lines likes to relax in the hallway on a shelf intended for hats. As soon as someone else enters the apartment, she rushes straight at his head. Needless to say, the number of people wanting to enter this apartment tends to zero. The advice is this. If the cat is more or less benign towards visitors, try to squat down and make an inviting gesture with your hand. Just hold out your hand and let your cat come and sniff. Everything went well - consider that the beginning has been made for a good acquaintance.
We will certainly continue the topic of correct communication with cats in subsequent publications. Be with us!
Original: How to Pet & Handle Cats. Behavior Basics. Authors: Dr. Isabelle Farly, DVM and Dr. Ilona Rodan. Source: catfriendly.com Photo: pixabay.com
Ears are not just for hearing
- A little forward: your cat is in a playful mood and shows curiosity, so this gesture can often be seen when he is interested in a new toy.
- Straight and vertical: Something has caught your pet's attention, that's for sure. Cats have very powerful hearing, and when their ears are straight and erect, it means something is alerting them.
- Pressed tightly to the head: you have a very angry cat in your arms. This gesture is often accompanied by a hiss or growl, and this indicates that your cat is angry or very scared.
- When a cat's ears point forward and slightly to the side, the cat is likely feeling relaxed.
- Ears can turn to follow the sound, but those that twitch quickly may indicate nervousness and uncertainty in the animal.
Games are as important as food
Loss of interest not only in you, but also in everything around you is a consequence of the fact that the cat is bored from idleness and rarely moves. Of course, she will try to have fun on her own, but sooner or later she will get bored with it.
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Remember that cats are, first and foremost, predators who need to release their accumulated energy somewhere. Dogs, for example, are walked twice every day. What should cats do? Perhaps because of their passive lifestyle, fluffies often choose active games rather than extraordinary feeding.
Buy a rubber ball, ball or laser. If you have forgotten the last time you entertained your cat, play briefly but often for the first 2-3 weeks. A cat that has lost its tone will lie down on the floor in a few minutes and will only carefully watch as you throw the ball and go after it yourself. Once you have practiced a little, you can increase the duration of the sessions. You will soon notice how your cat will be perceived not only as a feeding hand, but also as a loyal friend with whom you can play happily.
Eyes are the window to the soul
Your cat's eyes help tell the story of her internal state:
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- Slow Blinkers: Slow blinkers are the air kisses of the cat world! If you notice your cat blinking slowly while looking at you, you don't need to be surprised by this strange behavior. This means that she adores you.
- Dilated pupils: the cat is definitely excited! Whether he's playing or getting ready to brutally attack a toy, dilated pupils are a sure sign of cat excitement. However, when combined with aggressive sounds, wide pupils can mean your cat is scared.
- If your cat is staring at something with a fixed gaze, such as a squirrel or another cat, this is a sign that she is preparing to attack. On the other hand, if she is afraid, she will avoid eye contact and look for a way to escape.
Give your cat some fresh air
Have you noticed how cats begin to move their nose when you open the windows for ventilation? The fact is that no matter what kind of pet they are, the smell of the street will always attract them.
Try picking up a cat and gently standing with it on the balcony. Just be careful: any pigeon or sparrow flying past can make your pet rush after it. If you have bars on your windows, great. You can simply open the windows and sit the cat on the windowsill.
Believe me, your pet will thank you very much for such a gesture of goodwill.
The tail is a criterion of mood
A cat's tail can help you gauge how she is feeling in a given situation:
- Tail wagging: Unlike dogs, whose tail wagging signifies happiness, this gesture from a cat means that he is seriously disappointed with you. When a cat becomes anxious, it may move its tail faster and more forcefully, which indicates that the cat is stressed or anxious.
- Tail twitching: A slight twitch often indicates a playful mood. A slightly moving, wagging tail is a sign of interest: you can see this when your cat closely watches a bird through a window or plays with a toy.
- A fluffy tail: While it looks both fun and adorable, a tail that looks like a dish brush means your cat is afraid of something or, if accompanied by a hiss, is preparing to attack.
- Tail Cuddling: A cat that curls its tail around itself, creating a cute hug, is happy and content.
- Always pay close attention to the moving tail - this can help you understand how stressed or anxious the animal is in a particular situation.
Let the cat make the first move
It's hard to resist the temptation to pet a cat. This little furball seems to make you want to reach out and start scratching its fur. However, scientists say that it is best to let the cat take the initiative first.
Research shows that when you are focusing on some other activity (for example, reading a book or playing on the computer), the cat fundamentally wants to attract your attention. She is wondering what you are doing there and why you are not paying attention to her. In this, cats are very similar to girls: if you pay too much attention, they often become uninterested in you. But if you ignore them occasionally, your contact will be more productive.
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I serve bright “boats” on the New Year’s table: it’s difficult to immediately understand what fruit they are from.
It’s the same with a cat: let her decide for herself when to start contact and when to end it. Do this trick with your cat for a few weeks and you will see her love increase.
Understanding behavior
It is not enough for cats to tell us what they are thinking using their tails, ears or various sounds. There is another way to communicate what is on their mind.
- Lying on your back with your belly exposed: This means your cat trusts you completely and feels comfortable enough to reveal his most vulnerable area to you. But there is a high chance that you will not be able to avoid getting scratched if you dare to pet his belly.
- Rubbing against various objects: Pets rub against things (or people) to mark their territory in the house using glands located in their cheeks that secrete special pheromones.
- Massaging with paws: animals only knead people special to them and only when they are very happy and satisfied. Be proud if your cat wants to “knead dough” on your lap!
- Licks you: If you've earned a special grooming session from your cat, it means a lot. Cats show great affection when they begin to lick your skin, hair, earlobes, or even bite your clothes, viewing you as an important part of the family group.
Once we learn to understand the body language and sounds made by these amazing animals, we are one step closer to understanding their behavior.
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Pet your cat only where she allows it.
For cats, where you pet her is a very important factor. If you constantly want to stroke her belly, but she doesn’t give it, it definitely won’t add love to you. If your pet wants this, he will lie down on his stomach.
Start with a light massage of the cheeks and neck. If the cat likes it, it will begin to purr, squint and lightly move its paws. If you pet in an inappropriate place, the cat will begin to wag its tail and become a little tense.
Remember: each animal's g-points are different. But if you find them in your cat, long and sincere love is guaranteed.
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Step-by-step instruction
The most famous talking cat in the world is the Azerbaijani Masi. He is able to pronounce several dozen words both in Russian and in his “native” language. The pet's vocabulary includes such etiquette expressions as “thank you” and “goodbye.”
Table 4. Teaching a cat to talk
| Stage | Description |
| Step 1 | Decide on your pet’s favorite treat and make sure it is on sale. It is advisable to assign a specific food stimulant to each word. You should not give your pet food that may cause stomach upset or obesity. |
| Step 2 | To get in tune with your cat, you need to spend some time together. Pets are very easily distracted, so it is necessary to gain the animal's attention. |
| Step 3 | To arouse the cat's interest, you should kneel down, but at the same time remain above the level of the animal's head. Otherwise, the pet will consider itself to be in charge. |
| Step 4 | Sitting on your knees, start meowing. Continue this process until the cat begins to meow in response. After this, you need to treat her with a treat and pet her. |
| Step 5 | Take a 15-minute break, giving the animal the opportunity to rest. During the time-out, joint games are allowed. |
| Step 6 | Repeat steps 3, 4 and 5. |
| Step 7 | Start pronouncing the chosen word in front of the animal until it meows in response. After some time, the cat may give out the long-awaited “meat” or “eat.” |
Meowing with a cat should be gradually replaced by pronouncing the necessary word
Before you start training, you need to arm yourself with patience and be confident that the pet living next to you is unique. Without these components it is impossible to achieve success in such a complex process.
