Unraveling the Mystery: Do Feral Cats Actually Meow?
If you happen to personal a cat, many are something however quiet. Cats will meow at you for any and each purpose. They’re hungry or desire a deal with? Meow! Do they like the way you’re petting them? Comfortable meow plus purring. Did you by accident make eye contact along with your cat? You already know what’s coming.
Whereas feral cats might look like common cats, they behave in a different way. Feral cats can meow, however they not often do it. There’s simply no level; within the wild, meowing can expose them to hazard.
Hold studying for a more in-depth take a look at why cats don’t meow and what you are able to do when you encounter one.
Why Do Cats Meow?
Cats get a foul rap for being aloof, however these creatures developed a whole language only for speaking with people. Kittens do meow at their moms to allow them to know they’re hungry or uncomfortable, however they outgrow this once they become older.
In accordance with the ASPCA, grownup cats don’t truly meow at one another, simply at folks1. Based mostly on this, it is sensible that feral cats don’t meow. Since they dwell within the wild and don’t have human publicity, they don’t must meow simply to speak their wants. In actual fact, meowing can be dangerous in the wild; it exposes their location to predators and competing feral colonies.
Picture Credit score: JackieLou DL, Pixabay
How Feral Cats Talk With out Meowing
Given their restricted use of meowing, feral cats depend on different types of communication to precise themselves and work together with different cats. These strategies embrace:
1. Physique Language
One of the essential points of feral cat communication is physique language. A cat’s posture, tail motion, and ear positioning can all present perception into its temper, intentions, or stage of consolation.
For instance, an arched again with fur standing on finish might point out concern or aggression, whereas a sluggish, languid tail flick may signify leisure or contentment. Ears which might be pricked ahead present curiosity or curiosity, whereas flattened ears might sign concern, anger, or submission.
By observing these bodily cues, feral cats can successfully talk with one another and gauge the temperament of different cats of their neighborhood.
2. Scent Marking
Feral cats additionally depend on scent marking as a method of communication. Cats have scent glands of their cheeks, paws, and different areas of their physique that secrete pheromones. These scent markers assist cats set up and preserve territory, convey social standing, and sign reproductive readiness.
That’s why feral cats typically rub their faces or our bodies towards objects, resembling bushes, fence posts, or rocks, to depart their scent behind. On this method, feral cats can convey details about themselves with out direct confrontation or contact.
Whereas meowing is just not a major type of communication for feral cats, they make the most of different vocalizations to speak. These sounds embrace growling, hissing, yowling, and purring.
Growling and hissing typically categorical aggression or concern, warning different cats to remain away or again down. Yowling, a loud, drawn-out vocalization, can sign a wide range of feelings, from ache or misery to a mating name.
Purring, although typically related to contentment and affection in domesticated cats, may also be an indication of submission or an try to speak reassurance in feral cats.
So Why Did a Feral Cat Meow at Me?
That was most likely a stray cat. Feral cats will flee the second they see people, and it’s doubtless for one to strategy shut sufficient to meow at you.
Strays are domesticated cats which have been deserted, or they grew up with out homeowners however close to folks. So, they already know that meowing works, they usually’ll naturally do it when they want to get a person’s attention.
To sum it up, feral cats don’t meow as frequently or expressively as domestic or stray cats—if in any respect. As an alternative, they depend on non-verbal strategies like scent marking and physique language to communicate with fellow ferals. In case a feral meows at you, it’s doubtless that it’s a stray, not an precise feral cat.
Featured Picture Credit score: museumsmaus, Pixabay
