Cat Lingo Is Louder Than Words

Your cat may not speak the Queen's English, but he does talk. And, boy, does he have a lot to say.

A cat expresses his many moods and needs with a wide vocabulary of trills, meows, yowls, purrs, hisses, grumbles, and snarls. But he also uses his body to communicate. An arched back and bristling bottle-brush tail express anger or defensiveness, while a swaying, upright tail says, "Hello. You may pet me now." Head butting and body rubbing can express love or the need to scent mark. The list goes on. By learning to "listen" to your cat with more than your ears, you'll build better understanding and a stronger bond.