How to speak cat

Meows are for us

Grown-up cats don’t really meow at each other – that’s something they save just for humans. And while every cat’s voice is unique, they often use different tones and rhythms to get their point across.

• A short, soft meow is a friendly hello or gentle request
• A long, drawn-out meow usually means they want something, like food or the door opened.
• Rapid, repeated meows can signal excitement or impatience
• A low-pitched meow may suggest they’re grumpy or irritated.
• A high-pitched meow might mean distress or discomfort, though it can also show excitement – so context matters.

Tails do the talking

A cat’s tail is like a little mood barometer – although it should be ‘read’ with the rest of their body language.

• Held high with a slight curve? They’re confident and happy
• Straight up and quivering? That’s a loving greeting
• Low or tucked under? They’re feeling nervous
• Puffed up? Something has scared them and they’re on alert
• Twitching or lashing? Best to give them space – they’re probably annoyed!

Ears say it all

Ears are subtle but revealing.

• Pointing forward, they are curious and alert
• Turned sideways or slightly back means your furry friend is unsure or mildly annoyed
• If their ears are flattened against their head, they may be scared or defensive

Eyes tell you plenty

A cat’s eyes give away a lot – though again, it depends on the situation.

• Slow blinking is pure trust – and you can blink back to say you love them too!
• Wide eyes with big pupils mean excitement, fear or surprise
• Narrowed eyes often mean relaxed… but if paired with tense ears or tail, this could also mean irritation (we know, very confusing!)

Body language clues

Cats speak with their whole body.

• An arched back with fur standing up is a classic fear pose
• Rubbing against you marks you with their scent, which means they’re claiming you as their own (and it’s affectionate too)
• Kneading with paws is a comfort behaviour carried over from being a kitten
• Rolling onto their back shows trust (but not necessarily that they want their belly rubbed!).

Every cat is unique

These are handy general rules, but just like people, cats have their own quirks and personalities. The more time you spend with yours, the more fluent you’ll become in their one-of-a-kind way of ‘speaking cat’.

Signs from your cat you should never ignore