Different cat meow meanings

Cats are able to communicate with one another through touch, scent, facial expressions and body language.

So why do they meow at us? It is believed by many scientists that Cats have come to understand that these forms of communication do not work with humans. So they have created a ‘meow’ language to interact with us. Not only do cat’s meow for our attention, each meow is trying to tell us something. So it is important to understand what your cat may be trying to tell you.

Here is a simply language guide to help you decipher what your cat may be talking about.

Short Meow: A quick greeting to say hi!

Multiple Meows: An excited greeting. E.g. ‘it is so good to see you!’

Low Pitch: Complaint for your wrong doing. E.g. ‘You haven’t opened the door’.

Mid Pitch: A request for something, perhaps in need of attention or food. E.g. ‘Please feed me’.

High Pitch: A cry of pain or anger. E.g. ‘you stepped on my tail’.

Drawn Out Meow: An instant demand for something. E.g. ‘get my food now’.

Learning what your cat is trying to tell you is key to creating a healthy relationship. Your cat may meow at you if they want to go outside. Or it may be that they want to come back inside. They meow when they are stressed. But they also meow when they are happy and content. And we’re all very aware of them meowing when they are hungry! Cats also tend to meow more when they are in heat.

To complicate things even more, cats don’t just meow to communicate to us. They also purr, chirp, and chatter. Listen carefully to your cat and try to interpret what they mean. This will help you to build a loving connection.