The louder the meow, the more urgency the cat is trying to communicate. If kittens are meowing with their mouth open very wide, they may be signaling that it’s time to feed or that they feel scared.
Cats will frequently make these noises when it’s time for food or when they are communicating with another animal.
Once the purring subsides, it’s okay to remove your hand. Cats can easily become overstimulated, so be sure to pay attention to the noises that they make.
If you have more than one cat, growling can be a sign that two cats are about to fight. Try to separate them as quickly as possible to prevent injury. Prolonged, repetitive yowling often occurs when a cat is in profound pain, and you should get medical help quickly. Since cats instinctively hide their pain to avoid predators, they might be seriously ill.
Never try to pick up or touch a hissing cat. It can bite and scratch you, which can cause serious injuries.
Keep in mind that when a kitten is learning how to play, it will often bite and scratch to see what it can get away with, since it doesn’t know what will hurt you.
If the cat shrinks away from your touch or gets up, stop petting it. It may be trying to take a nap!
When you squint at your cat, try moving your head from side to side. Sometimes, if the cat is happy and relaxed, it will mimic your movements to show you that it understands what you’re saying.
Many cats will fluff their hair when they’re momentarily frightened, especially by loud noises. If your cat looks scared, try to find the object that they’re looking at and remove it from their sight.
Cats can also accomplish this by rubbing their face against your hands while you pet them.
Your cat may show you its stomach to say hello when you come home from work or to greet a new visitor.
When dealing with kittens, remember to exaggerate your emotions so they can easily understand when you’re reacting positively or negatively.
Since cats have large ears, they tend to be more sensitive to loud noises. If you frequently have to yell to get your cat’s attention, take the cat to the vet to have its hearing checked.
In general, try to use the same words when you’re disciplining the cat. Using too many or long words can be confusing.
Never discipline a cat by harming it. This is ineffective and can seriously hurt the cat.
