What Is My Cat Trying To Tell Me?
In doing the research for this article, I was amazed to learn that there really is not a lot of information out there about this fascinating but mysterious behavior in cats known as The Silent Meow. If we have been observant, we may have been fortunate enough to have a cat bestow upon us the favor of a Silent Meow. In order to understand what the Silent Meow is and why cats do it, we have to learn a little more about the ways cats communicate. When referencing her cats, a good friend of mine says, “My cats are just little people in fur coats who walk on all-fours and speak a different language. I don’t understand a word they are saying to me!” However, honestly, all we need do is listen and it is possible to understand what our cats are telling us.
When I was a child, one of my favorite books was “Alice through the Looking Glass”, by Lewis Carroll. What an amazing imagination this man shared with us in his stories! A particular quote from this book rings true to anyone sharing their heart and home with cats. Mr. Carroll wrote, “It is a very inconvenient habit of kittens that whatever you say to them, they always purr. If they would only purr for ‘yes’ and mew for ‘no’, or any rule of that sort, so that one could keep up a conversation! But how can one deal with a person if they always say the same thing?”
Cats have absolutely no problem understanding other cats. They have very subtle ways of speaking with one another and use various means to communicate, but they mostly rely upon body language. You see, cats exist in a society where words are not necessary. Cats are able to determine another cat’s mood by just looking them. They can have an entire conversation with another cat and not utter the first meow. Posture, tail movement, eye contact, and even scents all send signals to other cats. In fact, it is rare to see cats meowing at another cat. There are exceptions to this, of course, for instance during mating rituals, raising kittens or aggressive behavioral events.
However, when communicating with us, we see that cats will very often meow as well as display different body postures. Each meow may differ in meaning by the tone, volume, pitch, rhythm, and pronunciation. Any cat owner can tell you that their cat makes many different sounds. We know that our cats cannot make “words” or have a vocabulary like humans do, but they still communicate with us. It is up to us to interpret what they are attempting to say!
Our cats make a variety of different sounds, all designed to get our attention and to communicate to us whatever needs they may be feeling at that particular moment. Let us look at some of the different things they may be saying to us:
Meow – Depending on pitch, attention, inquiry, or conversation.
Low-pitched rumbling growl – Warning! Danger or other threat perceived!
Warble – Most often used to display Affection.
Trill – Can denote affection but also inquiry, mother cats use this sound to call their kittens close.
Low-Pitched Meow or Howl accompanied by Purring – Pain, discomfort, stress or fear.
Purring – Comfort, happiness and security, but can also denote pain or discomfort.
Howl – Depending on pitch, sadness, pain, extreme fear or stress.
Silent Meow – Most often denotes gratitude and affection.
If we have been fortunate enough to have a cat look at us with narrowed eyes, ears comfortably pointed to the top and a relaxed body posture while opening the mouth slightly but emitting no sound, we have received quite an honor! The Silent Meow!
Unless a cat has an illness or other health issue preventing them from meowing normally, the Silent Meow is special and should be received with the importance and care in which it was delivered. It is a very high form of compliment, a way of saying thank you for all the things you do for her and it is her way of showing all the love and affection she feels for you!
So, the next time you are gifted with this special honor, remember to return the favor and thank your cat generously for being your beloved companion.