Understanding your cat can be as easy as understanding what he’s trying to communicate. Learn what your kitty is trying to tell you with these tips and tricks.

Cats primarily use non-verbal ways to communicate with each other, so if they are vocalizing their needs, they are likely speaking to you. At the heart of all kitty-to-human communication is the need for your attention.

Short, pleasant meows are generally a form of greeting. Try giving your cat a scratch under the chin to see if he stops. Long, drawn out, and often annoying meows mean that your cat needs your attention now. He likely needs food or water. Low pitched growling and meowing means that you need to stop whatever it is that you are doing because your cat doesn’t like it.

Your veterinarian Columbia can also help you discern what your cat’s meows mean.