The adult cat meow is a development from when a kitten and designed for cat to human communication
The domestic cat has modified the wild cat expressions of territorial and social behavior because it lives with human caretakers and other companion animals.
Cat breed and type is not a barrier to cats communicating with each other. Cats communicate using sound, smell and sight (including scratching).
In the wild scent marking is very useful as it allows information of a cat’s presence to be communicated for a long period of time when the cat is not there, preventing territorial disputes and fights.
Scent is deposited through rubbing (from skin glands), urine (spraying) and feces.
Glands on a cat’s lips, face, ears feet and body contain chemical scents which act as markers. Scent markers declare to other cats their presence and the time of their presence (due to the aging process of the scent affecting it odour). Does scent contain cat pheromones?
Scent gland
Location
Submandibular
Beneath chin
Perioral
Corners of mouth
Temporal
Side of forehead
Sebaceous
Base of tail
Interdigital
Between pads of paws
Domestic cats scent mark their human companions (scent exchange); Rubbing their forehead and the side of their head against our legs most usually. Cats also frequently deposit scent on to doors and other rigid cat height objects around the home to make it more friendly to them. Rubbing is called “bunting” apparently30.
Intact males and in estrus females tend to head rub more than other cats.
Cats who are housemates or in close relationships scent exchange. The scent glands provide information about identity it is thought.
Scent from the sweat glands in the cat’s paws also mark trails.
Spraying is achieved by the cat turning its back to the object to be sprayed, keeping its tail upright (and quivering sometimes) and jetting a relatively small quantity of more pungent than normal urine onto the chosen object. Cat urine spraying horizontally on objects is a form of scent marking. Morpheus a male serval sprayed me three times.
The extra pungency of sprayed urine comes from amino acids, felinine and isovathene produced in the kidneys and excreted in the urine31.
Male and females spray urine; intact males spray the most. Research indicates that spraying in domestic cats is a means to identify the individual, its reproductive status and territory32.
Neutering (male) and spaying (female) can eliminate or reduce spraying but it can continue, sometimes.
When cats smell urine marking they use the Flehmen response (mouth slightly open to use a gland on the roof of their mouth – see cats nose – the sniff). Cats do not over-mark with their own urine but simply smell and receive the message.
Wild cats do not bury feces. Some use a defined area as a toilet. This is also a form of marker of presence. Domestic cats usually bury feces. The reason is unclear but may be for reasons of hygiene or (my theory) cats are down the pecking order to humans and burying feces eradicates their presence and does not challenge the human.
Scratching is also a form of communication. Most cats prefer to scratch vertical rough or hard textured objects. Scratching is also used to stretch. Scratching appears to be a means of making the area where the cat lives more friendly. Cat scratching deposits scent too.
Cat scratching posts should be placed in areas where cats usually scratch and be solid and well grounded. Cats scratch prominent objects. Cat scratching posts should be in prominent positions.
Cat scratching trees or the ground (wild cats), for example, is a form of visual communication.
Cat body language (body posture and facial expressions) is one form of communication that we should be aware of. Cat body language is used for close communication while vocal communication is for long distance. Defensive/aggressive displays include, bristling hair, dilated pupils, arching the back and placing the ears down and pointing backwards (to protect them in an ensuing fight).
A more nervous cat might avert its eyes when you look at it and yawn, while a more confident cat looks you in the eye33.
A cat employs sumo style stand off posturing and loud calling before and to avoid a fight. This can result in one of the two backing off34.
A cat that is on the offensive employs direct eye contact with an attack posture. Whiskers are pushed forward.
A relaxed cat might yawn and stretch.
Apprehension is demonstrated by a crouched position with ears flattened and pupils dilated.
A threatened cat rolls over into a defensive position revealing claws and teeth.
The nuances of facial expressions are not as important in the cat world as in ours35.
Cat feces are also a marker, visual and as a form of scent marking. When they are unburied it might be in a neighbour’s garden as a marker of the boundary of the cat’s territory.
Cat feces have deposits of scent from the anal sacs on them, which identify the cat36.
Main page on domestic cats including communication (social organisation): Domestic cats
Main page on wild cats. Each cat is discussed in detail including communication: Wild Cat Species.
Cats also use their paws to touch us as a form of communication. Cats touch us in the morning to wake us up. The first touch is gentle the second less so. And the third….37
