Why Do Cats Meow Back When You Talk to Them? Is This Normal?
Photo by iStock.com/Svetlana Popova and Chewy Studios
Why do cats meow back when humans talk to them? According to certified cat behavior consultant Dilara Göksel Parry of Feline Minds in northern California, it’s perfectly normal for a cat to meow back to you when you talk to them, and that meow can mean any number of things.
“Domestic cats are social animals, and for many cats, meowing is one of the ways they communicate with us,” she says. Does that mean they understand what you’re saying about “The Great British Baking Show,” or are they trying to communicate something else? Here’s what the experts have to say about what their unique meows mean.
Key Takeaways
- Cats may meow at people to be social, ask for food, seek attention, invite play, or show affection.
- Cats mostly use body language to communicate with other cats, but they have learned that humans respond to their meows.
- Some cats are naturally more vocal than others, and some breeds, like Siamese cats, are known for being very chatty.
- If your cat’s meowing habits suddenly change and you're seeing signs of pain, check in with your vet.
6 Reasons Why Cats Meow at You
Whether you’re asking your cat if they’re ready to eat, if they’d like to play, or if they’re really into that new Netflix series, they respond the same way: by looking into your eyes and meowing. A cat’s meows span a spectrum that goes from soft to strident.
If you listen carefully, you can learn to interpret your cat’s plaintive little meows, but here’s what experts say about why our cats talk back to us.
1. They’re Making “Small Talk”
Sometimes, your cat meows back at you for the same reason your neighbor reciprocates small talk about the weather—they’re just being friendly, and as social beings, good communication is important to them.
“Cats try their dead-level best to communicate with us two-legged creatures, and I think sometimes they must get frustrated,” says Texas-based cat behaviorist Lana Fraley Rich. “Cats communicate with us, but we don’t always get it.”
Interestingly, meows (or mews) are a unique form of communication reserved for “conversing” with humans. Adult cats typically don’t meow to other cats; instead, they use their body language—like a twitch of the tail or a flattening of the ears—to communicate with other cats.
2. They’re Hungry
You probably could have guessed this one. If you’re chatting in the kitchen and your feline friend joins in with some meows, it might be dinnertime. Even if your cat doesn’t understand what you’re saying, they know that humans respond to back-and-forth conversation better than tail twitches.
“They learn that we respond when they meow, and may learn, for instance, that ‘demand’ meows—the ones that are loud and hard to ignore—work well when they want something, like food or attention,” Parry says.
3. They Want Attention
OK, so you fed your cat, and they’re still answering your every utterance with meows. It’s possible they want their second favorite thing: attention.
“Repetitive meowing usually indicates that your cat wants something and they’re tasking you with providing it,” says Stephen Quandt, a certified cat behaviorist based in New York City. “That ‘something’ could be any number of things, including food, play or petting.”
The next time your kitty has a lot to say, consider an impromptu playtime session!
4. They Like You
If you have a chatty cat, consider it a compliment. Engaging in “conversation” is a sign of affection, especially when the meows are high-pitched, says Quandt.
“Trilling, which sounds like slightly high-pitched rolling Rs, is often done by mother cats towards their young,” explains Quandt. “With humans, it’s a sign of affection.”
5. They’re a Chatty Cat Breed
Some cat breeds are naturally more talkative than others. Siamese cats are known to be particularly vocal, so expect quite a bit of “back talk” and loud meows from these famously verbose furry friends (as well as plenty of purrs and chirps).
“Siamese cats are intelligent and social, and they often crave attention from their [pet parents],” says Dr. Nicole Savageau, VMD, a Texas-based veterinarian. “They’re known for being vocal and affectionate.”
6. They’re in Pain
Not all cats have the gift of gab. In fact, some of them rarely, if ever, meow at their humans. “There is a pretty big range from mostly silent to quite chatty,” says Parry.
If your normally quiet kitty starts meowing or your cat is vocalizing more often, begins excessive meowing, or yowls, it’s time to get suspicious and consider pain as a cause.
“Cats are very skilled at hiding pain,” Rich says. “If they get to the point where they’re communicating with a hiss, or they get very vocal, that can mean that something hurts in their bodies.”
What Is the Best Way To Talk to My Cat?
Do cats enjoy when we talk to them? While it’s impossible to confirm, cats are social creatures who form strong bonds with humans, so feel free to keep chatting with your pet.
Many cat parents tend to “baby talk” with their four-legged friends, which has some benefits, says Parry. “The absence of harsher sounds when we ‘baby talk’ is a positive,” she explains. “Lower frequency noises like growls are threatening, so we can also surmise that sticking to a higher pitch may be less threatening to them.”
Additionally, most cats are afraid of loud noises, so they prefer a lower volume, adds Parry.
Meowing and Cat Health: When To Be Concerned
It’s normal for cats to meow back when you speak to them. However, some meowing-related behaviors are cause for concern. If you notice that your cat is meowing more, meowing less, or meowing differently than usual, it’s time to make an appointment with your veterinarian—pain, illness or cognitive dysfunction could be causing the behavior.
“It is especially important for cat [parents] to be very aware of any changes in behavior, including changes in vocalization,” says Parry.
In addition to meowing patterns, it’s important to pay attention to your cat’s body language, which can give important insight into how your cat feels.
Meow Is the Time To Learn More
Meowing is one of the many ways cats communicate with humans. While cats can’t actually speak to us, meowing back as we talk to them is a normal behavior that can mean a number of different things, and can lend valuable insight into their well-being.
Interested in further improving your kitty communication skills? Learn how to decode a cat’s body language, or go one step fruther and teach your cat to use cat talking buttons.
FAQs About Cats Meowing Back
Why does my cat talk back to me when I talk to them?
This game of call and response is perfectly normal between cats and their humans. While your kitty may simply be responding socially, they may also use meows to ask for food, get attention, engage in play, or show affection.
However, any sudden changes in your cat’s usual meowing may signal a health concern and should be discussed with your vet.
Do cats understand what I’m saying when they meow back?
Even if cats don’t understand the words you’re saying, they can learn that humans respond to their meows, and especially certain tones or pitches they use when they want something—like food, play, petting or attention.
Why does my cat keep meowing at me after I feed them?
Repetitive meowing often means your cat wants something, so look at their body language for clues.
Are some cats more likely to meow back than others?
Some individual cats and some cat breeds are naturally more chatty. Siamese cats, in particular, are known for being especially vocal.
When should I be concerned about my cat meowing back?
Pay attention if your cat’s meowing is new or noticeably different from their normal vocalization. Contact your vet if those changes are paired with signs and symptoms of pain or illness.
Attributions
Jelisa Castrodale contributed to this article.
