Say, What?

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| Print | By | February 11, 2008 12:33 PM

Is your cat a talker? or does she indulge in those “silent meows” that look so pathetic you melt?

3-Seren meowing--2-11-08.jpg
My baby Seren perfecting her Meow

Researchers identified sixteen distinct feline vocal patterns. They fall under four general categories: murmur patterns include purrs and trills; vowel patterns are meows in all their variations (cats can produce several diphthongs, too); articulated patterns are chirps and chattering that express frustration; and strained intensity patterns are warnings such as hisses and growls. Those “silent meows” probably just hit frequencies humans can’t hear but other felines understand.

Some cats talk quietly, if at all. Persians and the beautiful blue Chartreux breeds, for instance, tend to be rather quiet. But Siamese like my Seren rarely shut up and insist on having the last word.

Cats seem to reserve “meows” for talking to their people, and use them as requests--wait, who am I kidding? Meows are DEMANDS from the cat: let me OUT, let me IN, pet me, play with me, FEED me!

Poor sleep-deprived humans eventually give in and let kitty out or in, offer to pet, play and/or fill the food bowl. And guess what you’ve done by giving in? You’ve rewarded the cat--and she’ll continue to use meows in the future.

You have been trained by the best.

Following this link to find out more about what your cat is trying to tell you.

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