Cat communication

Cats need to communicate for a variety of reasons, including to show happiness, to express anger, to solicit attention, and to observe potential prey; cats collaborate, play, and share resources with each other. When they communicate with humans, they do so to get what they need or want, such as food, water, attention, or play.

Cats can use a range of communication methods, including vocal, visual, tactile and olfactory communication. Cats meow to communicate with humans, and rarely with fellow cats or other animals. As such, cat communication methods have been significantly altered by domestication.

Up to 21 different cat vocalizations have been observed. Cats use visual communication to show their emotions, such as relaxation, fear, and aggression. Cats also use several types of tactile behaviors to communicate, such as grooming or biting each other. Cats can even use olfactory communication, such as marking their territory via urine.

Cats can socialize with each other and are known to form "social ladders," where there is a dominant cat leading a few lesser cats. This is common in multi-cat households. Cats sometimes fight with each other over food and territory. Cats also communicate with humans, usually to demand food, affection, or other wants and needs. Studies have shown that domestic cats tend to meow much more than feral cats.