Why Some Cats Talk Back More Than Others
Living with a cat who chirps, trills, yowls or seems to yell at you all the time can be a strange experience. For an animal that seems mostly solitary in the wild and doesn’t communicate with their peers using their vocal cords, why do they seem to talk to us? Better yet, why are some cats completely quiet and others will make noise all day?
It might interest you to know the difference isn’t random, and there are real behavioural, environmental, and even genetic reasons why some cats use their voice more than others.
Cats Don’t Meow at Each Other – They Meow at Us
As mentioned earlier, adult cats will rarely meow to communicate with other cats. Meowing is primarily a human-directed behaviour. Unlike adult cats, kittens meow at their mothers to get their attention, but most cats outgrow it – that is, until they learn that humans will also respond to it.
Talkative cats are often those who have discovered that vocalizing gets results. When they meow, something usually happens. This could be anything from food appearing, opening a door, getting attention, or even getting a conversation back from the human. According to some studies, cats will continue to fine-tune their vocalizations to whatever works best with their humans.
Personality Plays a Big Role
People who have never owned cats commonly make the mistake of thinking they are all the same and indifferent to the people in their lives. Those who have owned cats know they are all different. Just like people, they have distinct personalities, and some are naturally more expressive, social, or demanding. These personality types, just as in humans, are often louder.
You Trained Them (Yes, Really)
If your cat talks back when you speak, it’s likely because they’ve learned that conversation equals connection. All the different ways you respond to them, including eye contact, verbal replies, picking them up, giving them treats, opening doors, giving them attention – these are the things they pick up on and want to replicate.
This is basic communication at the most fundamental level. If you haven’t before, let your cat lead you to places when they meow. Walk behind them, softly, and when they look up at you and stop, wait and stay behind them. This is the next step in strengthening your bond with your cat. You are showing them you are not just a caretaker, but someone interested in who they are and their wants and needs.
The more you attempt to communicate with your cat, and to show them you are listening and interested, the better your home life will feel. You are not just someone in their life; you are someone they learn from and are inspired by. For a cat, life around humans can be very exciting, and if you make an effort to show them you care, they will respond in kind!