What Is My Cat Trying to Tell Me?

By Karen Geissert, D.V.M.

Understanding your cat’s normal behaviors is key to developing a stable and happy environment for all who share your home.  For instance, it is realistic to expect that your cat needs to do some scratching although unacceptable for her to use your furniture, so providing an alternative place to scratch will make everyone happier.

Domestic cats need to socialize with humans, dogs, and other cats within their environment. When adding a new kitten or adult cat to a home with one or more cats, it is important to integrate the newest feline gradually into the existing group for a smooth transition. Kittens who are socialized with people between the ages of three to nine weeks are more accepting of human handling and play throughout their lives. Contrary to popular opinion, many cats and dogs can live peacefully together in their households when socialized properly.

Cats use their own language to communicate with other cats, dogs, and humans. Their methods are visual, tactile, olfactory, and auditory. Different positions of the head, body, ears, and tail all send important visual messages and combine with facial expressions to communicate mood.  Tactile methods of communication involve rubbing against people to show affection; olfactory communication is done through urine or fecal marking to define a territory. Auditory communication includes purring that mostly occurs when cats are in contact with another individual.  Various types of vocalizations express certain messages such as a greeting, a distress call, or a plaintive meow when in discomfort.

Cats do need some attention from their owners in order to socialize normally within their group. They also need play, exercise, training, and litter box maintenance. Cats have a natural need to scratch and to stretch at the same time. And, like humans, cats need mental stimulation which can be enhanced by providing puzzle games, new toys, climbing structures, tunnels, hiding structures, videos created for cats, and window perches to see the outside world. Petting and playing with your cat regularly also provides mental stimulation.

A happy cat will communicate her content in the many ways mentioned.  A stressed or discontent cat will also send a clear message that some improvements need to be made in his social unit and environment. Aggression is a more overt way of directly or indirectly expressing discontent when other forms of communication are not working. If negative behavior or aggression persists you may need to consult your veterinarian to help identify and solve the underlying problems.

Tuning into your cat’s unique forms of communication and behavior will help you to discover her personality and respond to her needs.  And, in turn, your cat will be a happy addition to your household.

Karen Geissert, D.V.M, has practiced veterinary medicine for over 25 years. She is the owner of Acton Animal Hospital. If you have a general question about this article or another pet care topic, please email her at: actonanimalhospital@comcast.net.