Communicating with Cats
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Can Cats Talk?
Welcome to the page dedicated to communicating with funky felines! Does the MEOW have meaning? Having shared life with cats of all colors and breeds, I have a strong opinion.
But read on, and then decide for yourself!
In the absence of no kill shelter members on Squidoo (that I know of), proceeds from this lens are being donated to The Humane Society.
If you know of any no-kill shelters registered with Squidoo pls let me know so I can give to them! Thanks
This lens is also in fond memory of Rocky, my first talking cat, and Ginger~bean (photo at left), the most loving cat I ever met despite having lived a long time outdoors before I adopted him.
So... Can Cats "Talk"?
Cats are masters of the meow, of course. But do all their little noises mean anything more than, well, "meow"?We've all heard of horse whisperers...but are there "cat talkers" and talking cats?!
I am not a professional, but I can definitely speak from years of experience communicating with numerous cats. The "meow" means something... and different types of meows have different meanings.
A cat may make one sound when he wants attention, one for each specific demand (food, clean litter, going outside), and yet another one to tell you he loves you and is glad you are his parent. He may use still different meows to chat with his cat pals.
I had one cat who I firmly believe was trying to speak people language! It's true! He could say "'mrout", his version of "out" when he wanted to go outside. And he called my mother "ram-ma", his version of grandma!
Some cats meow more than others, just like some children are more talkative than others. You should definitely spend time learning your cats' particular mode of communication.
What do YOU think?
Share your opinion on the communication skills of cats:
Learn More About Communicating with Your Cat
Talk to Your Cat: How to Communicate with Your Pet
Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009) 
Catspeak:: How to Communicate with Cats by Learning Their Secret Language
Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009)
Samantha's Love Story: A Guide on Psychic Communication with Animals
Amazon Price: $10.95 (as of 07/11/2009)
Do Cats Have ESP?
Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009)
Cats as Companions
Different Ways in Different Parts of the World
In different areas of the world, the "manner" of keeping cats varies. In my experience, U.S. and Canadian citizens are more likely to have cats as indoor pets. My personal view of cats is that they are children, friends, playmates, and a source of unconditional love.When I lived in the U.K., I noticed the general view towards cats as pets seemed less familiar. Cats were more likely to be either completely outdoor animals who owners put food out for, or indoor-outdoor animals they would occasionally pet.
Some cat owners have them solely for the purpose of cleaning up a rodent population on property such as a farm.
Purr-sonality
Tidbits about Cats I Have Known
I barely remember my first cats. There were 3, I think kittens. Holly, Cocoa and one whose name I don't recall. My main memory is that one of them scratched my face and my dad made us get rid of them!In 1989, living in my first apartment, I found the world's whackiest cat... Rocky. He was the runt of the litter and had some Manx blood, so he was tail-less.
Rocky loved food and quickly out-grew his runt status. At his peak he weighed 32 lbs! He was also very intelligent. Some of his meows were very clearly attempts at talking!
Rocky passed away several years ago from liver failure.
My next cats were Alistair and Mimi, who helped me survive a difficult period of my life when I was living with my abuser.
Mim, who I found abandonned at age 4 weeks, was a super snuggler who always wanted to be either on or against me. Sometimes she'd crawl under a blanket to make herself secure. She purred almost constantly.
They went into foster care when I finally went to a dv shelter.
Since then there have been others... at the top of the list is Ginger-bean, a giant creamy red tabby I rescued from life in a parking lot, who loved being held and clearly communicated his appreciation for my care.
And the seven cat family I live part of each year with in Florida, whose "brood" now ranges in age from 2.5 to 10 years. All were rescued from abuse or abandonment (I am working on a lens featuring their stories!)
Each cat has a unique personality and together they make quite a crew!!!
And a Whole New Form of Cat Communication...
lolcats were originally called "cat macros". In these often hilarious, often plain bizarre, images, people take pictures of cats and add text captions of what the cat is supposedly thinking or doing.
There is even at least one book dedicated to this pop culture sensation!
I Can Has Cheezburger?:
A LOLcat Colleckshun
(Lolcat Colleckshun)
Grey Speaks lolcat
lolcat links
- lolcats.com
- lolcats...lots of them
- lolcat.com
- and more lolcats
- icanhascheezburger?
- funny funny lolcats
- the lolcats
- and still more...
Crazy Cat Videos!
Educate yourself to be an Even-Better Pet Owner!
Gifts for Pet Lovers and Pets!
from eBay auctions
The holidays are coming! Don't forget the pets... and their owners.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
What Pets do You Own?
Just a reader survey to find out what pets are topping the list, not including farm animals.
Cat Lover's Check In!
Share Your Cat Stories!
PizmoBeach wrote...
Thanks for your lens. We are lucky enough to have 4 cats - 1 Siamese Birman cross; 2 Siamese; and 1 Balinese. They are all big talkers and love telling us exactly what they want but think we are stupid as we don't always understand what they mean.
Posted June 15, 2009
JaguarJulie wrote...
Our cats are some of the most communicative and talkative cats I have had the pleasure of interacting with! I love to see that you too understand what I am talking about. Love your lens -- if I had them there wings, you'd be blessed! ;) It's the thought that counts after all.
Posted May 11, 2009
RickyRobi wrote...
I have had cats and dogs all my life. Mikey was a very large gray Siamese that we had the whole time we were growing up. He lived to be about 18 as best we could tell. Grandma was never sure how old he was when she got him. He was very vocal and let you know exactly what he wanted and could open doorknobs.
Every cat I have ever had has their own personality.
Zoe is my current kitty. My husband got her for me from a rescue group a few years ago as a valentine gift. He picked her because she had the same name as our niece. She was 6 years old at the time and had been with them all her life. We are her first real family. She spends her time sleeping on my small desk while I am on the computer. I have to work around her but that's OK.
Posted May 09, 2009
LadyExpat wrote...
Great lens! We had a cat at home when I was growing up called YOYO.........an orange tabby. He lived to be about 17.
My next cat was Boots. He lived to until 15, and spent the last couple of years of his life entertaining my Dad.
Now I have Indy. I was catless for five years, but then finally said I have to have a cat. She is a sweetie.
Posted May 03, 2009
i love cats wrote
i love cats so much i have 8 animals 2 dogs 2 cats 2 birds and 2 ferrets
Posted April 07, 2009
Linnet Woods wrote
The ship's cat, Sweetie Pie, was a 3-month-old kitten being picked on by other cats in a resort where we ran the bar/restaurant for a while and we were persuaded to move him onto our schooner in September 2006, after a local lady had taken him to the vet to be neutered and have his inoculations. He's been happily aboard ever since and has quite a vocabulary which, as you say, is quite specific to his wants and needs.
Nice article! Thanks for a pleasant while spent on this Lens :-)
Posted February 05, 2009
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