A Conversation Between Cats: Two Kitties’ Points of View!

The Art of Cat Communication

Luna: Well, if it isn’t Bella. Er… Bella? What on earth are you doing?

Bella: Trying to communicate with the humans!

Luna: By knocking all their ornaments off the shelves?

Bella: Exactly! Isn’t it fun?

Luna: Well, yes, now you mention it—it does look fun. Still, you should probably stop that, as I can’t imagine the humans will be pleased. Come, let’s get away from here before they notice the mess and blame it on us. Hopefully they’ll just think it was the dog.

Now, rather than worrying about humans, have you ever wondered how we cats communicate with each other?

Bella: All the time! I’m still trying to figure you out and we’ve been living together for months.

Luna: You don’t say?

Bella: Just yesterday you flicked your tail at me, and I wasn’t sure if you were annoyed or just stretching.

Luna: Ah, yes. The tail flick. It’s an art form, really – achieving that perfectly dismissive sweep – but I’ll tell you what it means. A quick lash from side to side usually means I’m focused—or irritated.

Bella: Irritated?

Luna: Not with you, of course. Well, mostly not with you, but we cats are a fickle lot. No, if you’re concerned that I might be irritated, you should watch the rest of my body language to understand how I’m really feeling.

Bella: So, is that how cats talk to each other? Body language?

Luna: Body language is a big part of cat communication, certainly. Like when my tail’s upright and tall—that’s a sign I want to be friends. And if it’s quivering, that could even be a sign of pleasure. Puffed up and my hairs standing on end, however, is another thing altogether. That’s fear! The same as when my tail is tucked down between my back legs. Not that a cat as fine as I would ever feel fear, of course. Such things are beneath me.

Bella: If you say so, Luna.

Luna: I do! And less of that tone, if you please—let’s not forget who’s the elder here. Now, let’s discuss our cat ears—they’re the really interesting part. Forward means I’m curious or content, while flattened or rotated ears can mean all sorts of things. Maybe I’m scared, aroused, or even intrigued by a sound? Our ears are incredibly mobile, and how we use them can mean a whole world of things.

Bella: Noted. And what about the slow blink? I’ve seen you do that to our humans sometimes.

Luna: Yes, the slow blink! Another art form of cat communication. It’s like saying, “I trust you”. Humans love it when we use it on them. Try it next time you want a treat and they’ll be eating out of your paws—or should it be you eating out of their paws? Depends who has the treats, I suppose.

Bella: And the direct stare I spotted you giving the cat from next door?

Luna: Don’t bring them into this! If I see him coming into my territory one more time…

Bella: But what does the direct stare actually mean?

Luna: Err… Well, it’s more of a challenge, really. Like a message to advise the other cat to stay away.

Bella: Got you. I’ll get practicing in case they come strolling around this way again.

Touch, Scent, & Chemicals: How Cats Communicate 

Bella: Okay, so I get the body language part. But what about all the rubbing and sniffing? You bumped your head against mine yesterday and I’ve been wondering about it ever since. Is this another way that cats communicate with each other?

Luna: Bumping heads, or “bunting”, is a friendly gesture. It’s how we share our scent or exchange chemical signals, and we do it to show that we’re part of the same group. Allorubbing and allogrooming – like when we groom each other – are ways we bond. It’s a social thing.

Bella: Are scent and pheromones the same then?

Luna: I can see how you’d think that, but no. Scents and pheromones might seem similar to our humans, but they’re actually very distinct. For one, pheromones are odorless. When I rub my cheeks on furniture, corners, or even my humans, I’m leaving pheromones behind as a chemical message for myself to come back to later. We cats use these messages as a way of marking territory, letting us know it’s safe and making the space feel like home.

Your mother will have used pheromones when you were born, helping you to feel safe and secure with all your siblings. Actually, our humans sometimes use these chemical messages to help us feel content, too. They don’t create the pheromones themselves, of course, but they can use FELIWAY Optimum around the home. This uses calming pheromones to send a message of enhanced serenity and is perfect for multi-cat households like ours.

Do Cats Play or Fight? Decoding Social Bonds

Bella: Luna, you’re going to have to explain something. When we’re rolling around and wrestling, is that playing or fighting?

Luna: Oh, Bella, my sweet summer kitten. That’s play! Notice how we take turns being on top? And we don’t use claws? If we were really fighting, you’d know about it. Fights are tense, loud, and often don’t end well. Play on the other hand is relaxed, fun, and helps us bond.

Bella: Phew! I was worried I’d upset you. But what about when cats don’t get along?

Luna: There’s always a chance that cats living together will clash, even if they’re usually best friends. There are a few subtle signs of conflict to watch out for, such as blocking or staring. Often this conflict can be because cats don’t have enough resources, like food bowls or litter boxes. That’s why our humans have made sure we have extras. And if things ever get tense, they know to ensure we always have access to our own spaces and plug in a FELIWAY Optimum diffuser to keep things harmonious.

Introducing New Cats to the Household

Bella: Speaking of clashes, do you remember when I first moved in?

Luna: How could I forget? You smelled different, you took my favorite sleeping spot, and… well, let’s just say it was a learning curve.

Bella: It wasn’t easy for me either! Coming into a new home with a cat already settled and calling the shots. But the humans did a good job introducing us gradually. I liked having my own space to begin with. And those FELIWAY diffusers really helped me feel less stressed by it all.

Luna: And look at us now. Sharing resources (mostly), grooming each other, even touching as we sleep. If that’s not friendship, what is? Not all cats in the same household manage to get along so well, but that’s absolutely fine. Sometimes coexisting is simply about being comfortable in the other’s company, rather than being the best of friends.

Understanding Cat Communication Sounds

Bella: One last question: do cats talk to each other?

Luna: What do you think we’re doing right now?

Bella: Well, yes, but you know what I mean. What about when we’re not holding a conversation for the benefit of our readers?

Luna: Ah, yes—I see what you’re getting at: real life behind the fame of the internet. Well, you’ve heard me when I chirp or trill at you, right? That’s my way of saying hello. We also purr to show contentment or to soothe ourselves. Hissing, on the other hand, is a clear way of telling someone to back off—not that I’d ever do that to you.

Bella: I’d hope not! But you haven’t mentioned meowing yet. What does meowing mean?

Luna: Good question. Yes, we sometimes meow to greet our fellow cats, but – whisper it so the truth doesn’t get out – we mostly just meow for our humans. I noticed a while ago it’s a good way of getting their attention. What can I say? Humans are a simple species. They hear a nice sound; they give us back scratches and treats. Whatever it takes to be adored! For cat-to-cat chats though, we rely more on body language, scents, pheromones, and touch.

Final Thoughts

Bella: Luna, you really are a wise old sphynx. Thanks for explaining everything!

Luna: Anytime, my young friend. Now, a little tip for smashing those ornaments… try to go for the really expensive-looking ones. They tend to get the biggest reaction from the humans.

Bella: Didn’t you say the humans wouldn’t be happy?

Luna: Sure. But we’re cats! And cats will be cats, as I always say. There are all sorts of secrets behind our behavior that humans are still working out!

For more fascinating insights into our cats and their behavior, be sure to explore all our articles online. Or to receive the latest news straight into your inbox, sign up to our newsletter and we’ll keep you in the loop with all the latest FELIWAY guides and info.