Tuesdays Tattles - How to Communicate Wif Us

We found dis information about how to communicate wif us kitties and took da liberty of shortening some of it and we made some SIDE COMMENTS IN YELLOW. I'm sure yoo will all want to add in some ofur comments too:

How to Communicate With Your Cat
from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Scientists have discovered that cats have developed an elaborate communication system with hundreds of vocalizations to tell humans what they want. (YOO GOT DAT RIGHT WIKI GUY). They know that we are in charge (WRONG), so it makes sense for the cat to learn to communicate vocally, and to make sure that we understand what they are saying. Cats can also learn to understand what we want them to do by our repetition of words or actions in a consistent manner (YEAH - SHINE DAT LASER LIGHT OFUR HERE HUMAN) In this way, we are able to communicate with cats in a dialogue that takes time and effort to develop but is very rewarding for both. (YES - WE HAVE OWR OWN REWARD SYSTEM AND IT INVOLVES TREATS - LOTS OF DEM).

Steps

Remember that vocalizing is generally not your cat's preferred mode of communication. (REALLY? TELL DAT TO MAX'S or da MEEZER'S HUMANs!). A cat's "first language" consists of a complex system of scent (WE GOT GOOD SNIFFERS - BETTER'N DOGS), facial expression, complex body language, and touch whereas we humans communicate primarily through sound. Cats soon realize that we don't understand the non-verbal signals they send to each other, so they vocalize in an attempt to communicate in our language. By observing which sounds elicit which actions from us, a cat is always learning how to make requests (or demands) (WELL DEY FINALLY GOT SOMEFIN RIGHT - WE DO DEMAND WHAT WE WANT WHEN WE WANT IT).

1. Listen to your cat. If you watch what your cat is doing when it meows, you may learn to distinguish which meows are associated with which requests (or protests) and eventually know the difference between a "let me out" demand and a "give me food" demand by sound alone. (I FINKS WE HAF DAT ONE DOWN PRETTY GOOD) Each cat is different and may have its own variations, but some common meows can include:
   
   • Short meow - standard greeting.
     
   • Multiple meows - excited greeting.
     
   • Mid-pitch meow - plea for something.
     
   • Drawn-out mrrroooow - a demand for something.
     
   • Low pitch MRRRooooowww - a complaint
     
   • High-pitch RRRROWW! - anger or pain.
     
   • Chatter (rapid teeth-chattering jaw movements) - excitement, frustration (e.g. when prey is out of reach or escapes)
     
   • Chirrup (Also called "chirring", a cross between a meow and a purr with rising inflection) - friendly greeting sound, often used by a mother cat to call to her kittens.
     
   • Purr - invites close contact or attention {(IF YOU CAN GETS CLOSE ENUF TO HEAR SOME OF US PURR, I STILL HASN'T GOT DAT PURR FING DOWN QUITE YET... DAT'S COZ I KNOW DA 'DEMAND' FING PRETTY GOOD (SEE ABOVE)}
     
   
   
2. Watch your cat. Since cats are more "fluent" in body language, certain gestures will accompany vocalizations to reinforce their message. (ESPESHULLY WHEN WE FLASH DEM DA SPOT THIRTEEN -- GASP?! WHO DID DAT?) WE DON'T DO DAT RIGHT?)
   
   • tail straight up - happy
     
   • tail twitching - excited or anxious
     
   • slowly blinking eyes - affection, equivalent of "blowing a kiss"
     
     • sustained eye contact is interpreted as being assertive or even aggressive and makes cats uncomfortable; slow blinking communicates trust
       
     
     
   • wet nose "kiss" - an affectionate gesture when the cat taps its wet nose to you
     
   • ears back - alarmed
     
   • rubbing head, flank and tail against a person or animal - greeting ritual
     
   • head-butting - friendliness, affection (WE DO DAT LOTS IN DA CAT BLOGOSPHERE)
     
   • face sniffing - confirming identity (BUTT SNIFFING -- DON'T FORGET BUTT SNIFFING)
     
   • ears back and flattened - fearful and anxious
     
   • licks you - this is the ULTIMATE sign of affection. If your cat licks you, your cat considers you to be a part of his/her family, like a mother cleaning her kittens. If you push your cat away when he/she licks you, they will feel hurt and confused. Your kitty loves you!
     
   
   
3. Talk back. As mentioned earlier, cats are always learning how to communicate with us; the more we communicate with them, the faster they'll learn. (YEAH YEAH - WE ALREADY GOT DAT ONE DOWN PAT)
   
   • Use the word shower consistently each time you are ready to take one, and eventually your cat may beat you to the bathroom and might even curl up in the sink to wait for you. (SINCE WHEN? -- WATER IS NOT ONE OF OWR FAVRIT FINGS) (WE DO KNOW PLENTY OF CATS DAT DO LIKE TO drink FROM DA SINKIE).
     
   • If you blink slowly when making eye contact with your cat, they will usually respond by coming over to be petted, as it is a very non-threatening gesture.
     
   
   
4. Be consistent. For example, a cat often "asks" before invading another's space and a common blunder many pet owners make is to say "no" but pet the cat at the same time. This is very confusing to the cat. Instead, a very quick "no" combined with gently but firmly pushing the cat away from you, without showing affection, will let the cat know that their presence is not desired at this time. (WHO ARE DESE PEOPLE??? -- WE WILL ALWAYS COME BACK FOR MORE AN WE ARE NEFUR CONFUSED). HRMFFF. Most cats will try 2-3 times to invade a person's space, often from different directions. Be patient when saying "no" to them.
   
   • You can also develop a "command tone" to use with your cat when they are doing something seriously wrong. Use a voice that comes naturally to you, that you can replicate easily, but that is also distinct from your everyday talking voice. (AN DEN WE WILL GET BACK AT DEM AT AN APPROPRIATE TIME IN DA MIDDLE OF DA NIGHT WIF OWR OWN STYLE OF COMMUNICATION).
     
   • Another easy "no" command that cats all understand is a quick, sharp, hiss or "spit" sound as is made by their own kind when they themselves say "no". (GASP! I DON'T FINKS SO!)
     

Tips

Treat your cat with love and respect (WE ALREADY KNOWS DIS AND DA HUMANS ALREADY KNOW DIS OR WE WILL POOP ON DARE HEADS!) and they will become a very happy and loving companion and friend. Talk to them softly and watch how they listen. They might respond with a meow or other sound.

• With patience cats can be trained to respond to commands, much the same as dogs. (BWHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA) You can even teach your cat to shake your hand. (WELL - YES WE DO KNOW DAT ONE COZ WE DO KNOW HOW TO GIF DA HIGH FIVE -- BUT DAT'S FOR TREATS DANG IT!)
  
• Siamese & Maine Coon cats have been observed to be especially "talkative", while long-haired cats tend to be on the quieter side. But of course, there are always exceptions! (YOO GOTS DAT RIGHT FINALLY!)
  

WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED DIS AS MUCH AS WE DID!
BEAU BEAU & ANGIE


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