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Cats are the most independent animals we can own as pets, besides maybe a goldfish. They don’t need constant attention, or to be taken outside several times a day. Felines can take care of themselves as long as they have water, food, and a clean litter box. When a cat meows at you, you may be slightly awestruck because your cat actually wants to acknowledge you. Then you might be a little curious about what your feline companion is saying.
You’re in luck, because our human fascination with finding out what cats say to us runs deep. There are a bunch of cat translator apps and websites that want to help you understand what your cat is saying. Recently, a pet collar has been advertised that was similar to the one in Disney’s Pixar’s Up, which allows your cat to talk. CatterBox is the company that is developing this new collar that claims to translate for your cat. Catterbox’s mission is to “Give cats a voice,” and to help the world see how awesome cats are. Unfortunately, in the end Catterbox’s collar turned out to be a well-played brand move for a treat company. Sorry, we’ll have to wait for a cat translator.
If you just can’t wait for a translator, try exploring the cat-side of the Internet and you will find some helpful sites. WebMD is not just for human medical needs; it also aids cat owners with understanding the feline body language. They mention several “cattitudes” and behaviors.
- Tummy display – The cat is either relaxed or feels threatened.
- Slow blinking – The cat is communicating affection.
- Classic Halloween cat pose – The cat feels threatened and you should back off.
- Stare down – The cat is being threatening. There’s a reason why cats gravitate to the person who ignores it.
- Wide eyes, and huge pupils – The cat is hunting, or is over stimulated.
- Meows – The cat is manipulating you. Cats don’t meow to other cats. Meowing is an attention grabber for us.
- Purring – The cat is happy.
- Growling/Hissing – The cat is unhappy and is warning you.