Nearly everyone talks to their cats, and often they seem to understand us. But do they really know what we are saying, or do they simply react to tone of voice? Scientists around the world have studied this complex question.
The range of sounds that cats perceive
Cats have an amazingly developed sense of hearing. Their ears are controlled with 32 muscles and can rotate 180 degrees. They can detect sound in the range of 45 to 65,000 Hz, frequencies that go beyond the hearing of other mammals, which is why they hunt primarily through hearing. They can hear a mouse up to 25 m away, and determine the distance with amazing accuracy.
Cats can distinguish between sounds coming from two different sources, even if those sources are close together. It takes them only six milliseconds to pinpoint a sound source to within one cm, and they can do this from three m away.
So if your cat ignores you when you call, it is not because she hasn’t heard you; unlike dogs, who respond out of obedience, cats only take notice when they get something out of it.
Cats understand human phonetics and intonation
Experiments show that cats can remember more than 100 words, including variations on their name and commands for eating or playing. They also understand when they, rather than another pet or person, are the ones being spoken to.
They pick up on intonation, reacting excitedly if a person speaks quickly, and becoming calm in response to slow and even speech. Sometimes cats, like dogs, seem to sing along when people talk.
For a large number of cats, it is the intonation that counts. They will attribute the same meaning to different words or phrases, provided they are spoken in the same tone of voice. This is especially true when it comes to calling for food.
On the other hand, some cats react only to certain words, though they are unlikely to respond if they are called in an angry tone of voice.
An owner’s gestures, actions and mood are also important
Some experts have a theory that cats, when interacting with humans, only understand body language. For example, just before jumping on to a man’s lap, a cat often looks into his eyes and waits for an approving reaction like a nod or a pat on the leg.
Cats closely watch their humans’ behavior, picking up clues to a person’s mood, and learn how to behave accordingly. That’s why cats choose the best time to ask for a treat, to play or just simply to show affection.
All cats are different, however all of them, without exception, know when their owner is offended or angry, aggressive or friendly.
How understanding develops
Understanding comes to a cat through a number of ways simultaneously. The tone of voice, mood, the words spoken and body language – are all taken into account.
A cat’s interpretation of what is being said is also linked to what she has become used to since kittenhood. Cats don’t really understand human speech, but simply get used to certain phrases. An example is the cat’s name, regular repetition triggers a habit that develops into a reflex. After a while, the cat will respond to her name, whatever it is.
Cats also use a variety of ways to communicate their desires to human. They purr, meow, rub their cheeks on feet or hands, look into a person’s eyes or play.
Each cat is individual
In most cases cats have similar behaviors and understand people roughly the same way.
Practice, however, has demonstrated that each cat develops its own language with her owner. For example, if you often use an aggressive tone when giving completely innocent commands, your pet may get used to it and no longer feel threatened.
Thus, it is very difficult to speak about a common language for all cats. Everything will depend on what the pet is used to and what she expects from you.
