How do cats communicate with each other?
Communication is a skill not many has the nature to understand, sometimes it happens naturally, or intuitively, or even out of daily habit. There are many mediums of communication among humans, animals, living organisms, and the earth with the universe. Each communication medium uses a unique blend of characteristics that convey to the receiver. When it comes to the relationship of animals with humans, dogs and cats have a strong bond with humans. Initially, dogs stood at a higher level as pets and other sorts of a companion with humans, but cats soon replaced the social hierarchy of dogs as it found more resemblance with humans in many different aspects. Researchers found that the chromosomes X and Y in the order of several genes in cats resemble that of the humans.
Cats are one of the most detached but smart species in the animal kingdom, with an impulsive nature that has far less patience than dogs. The pattern in the relationship between people and cats resemble a complex long-term kinship. Its compatibility with their human owner is more like a real human relationship that requires mutual attention and friendly tactile interactions. Even long before cats became pets to millions of owners around the world, there was an apparent organic bond that connected them to humans, especially women.
Humans interaction aside, there is a keen sense of curiosity and wonder among many people who pose the same question- how do cats communicate with each other? Before delving into the details, it is crucial to understand that every form of action and movement or sound from cats mean something and is indicative of their feelings. The communion degree among cats far exceeds our human understanding and is complicated. Over the years, numerous studies to understand the convoluted messages that cats convey to each other took place. With systematic studies experts made out three distinct traits or mannerism in cats that answers the question- how do cats communicate with each other?
1) Olfactory or scented markings
Scented marking is the primary form of communication among cats. They communicate through the scent in their urine, feces, and chemicals or pheromones from glands located around the cheeks, mouth, lower back, chin, forehead, paws, and tail. Typical behaviors in cats like rubbing and head bumping indicate comfort and confidence towards their other companion. Cats mark their territory using the method of urine spraying which is a more thick and oily than generally deposited urine. Sometimes to make a stronger communication the urine may contain additional secretions from anal sacs.
2) The genius of vocal communication
Humans always focus on their vocal communication, and when you speak to your pet cat, you may feel like you are getting through to them, but cats are not always verbal. Their sporadic purring is typically a sign of contentment, while they growl or howl when they feel threatened or hurt in one way or another. Mother cats sometimes purr to help soothe their newborn kittens. If you ever come across two cats howling or growling at each other, maintain a safe distance from the scene, as it is a sign of war trying to prove who the boss is among the two.
3) Reading the intricacies of body language
Cats are like a mixed bag of several emotions bagged in fickleness as their mind changes from loving one minute and ready to fight the next. Their various postures and body movements indicate several messages and feelings.
- When cats roll over and expose their abdomen, it is a sign of invitation for a company, affection, or attention and mating to other male cats.
- Body postures like arched back, stiffened tail, bare teeth, or unsheathing of claws are all indications not to bother them.
- When cats bat their lashes with slow blinks at other cats, it suggests their affection and trust.
- A cats tail conveys a lot of messages, like high held tails indicate confidence, curling their tail around other cats is a sign of being friendly, and keeping it between their legs means that they are feeling insecure or anxious.
- When a cat stares down at another cat, it is a sign of feeling threatened in one way or the other