The Cat's Meow

Recently while sun puddling outside one of the neighbourhood cats wandered along the top of the fence. It stopped and stared at me for a while. My thoughts of getting up to chase it off was very much deterred by a sharp tail flick and harsh stare. So we both sat there, enjoying the sun from our selected resting spots.

Then the strangest thing happened. A human appeared on the other side of the fence, and the cat started a series of meows to the human. I was quite surprised as I don’t normally hear the cat make a noise, apart from the odd warning growl or hiss.
So I thought I would investigate this further.

Kittens use a high pitched meow to shout for their mother when they are cold, hungry or feeling lost.
As the kitten gets older, usually around 2 to 3 months, their reliance on their mother is much less and the need to meow stops.

If adult cats do not meow at each other, how do they communicate?
Cats are secret agents when it comes to language. They apparently make over 100 different sounds, including purrs, hisses, and chirps. They also use a variety of other ways to communicate.

Scent:
Cats leave invisible scent messages by rubbing their cheeks on walls, furniture, or other animals. In some cases they even pee to mark territory or make a point.

Staring and Expressions:
Subtle changes in their eyes, ears, faces and how they hold their head tell other cats exactly how they feel.

Body Language:
How they lie down, stand or even stretch can be a signal to others.
For example a high, straight tail means a friendly greeting, while flattened ears mean "stay away".

They tend to reduce communication with dogs down to a few sharp and undeniably firm hisses or growls. They do use their sharp claws as a last resort if we get too close to them. One thing I know only too well and am not in a hurry to witness again.

Humans are vocal creatures and do not possess a keen sense of smell, nor do they have tails to decode visual cues. Millions of years of feline evolution did not prepare cats for a species so oblivious to subtle body language.

To bridge this communication gap, ancient cats adapted. They recognized that to manipulate human behaviour and secure resources, they needed to adapt and develop their communication. They revived their juvenile kitten cries, directing them exclusively toward humans to command attention.

Cats have developed a language that can be adapted and unique to their specific households, even down to specific humans. They subtly alter the frequency, duration, and pitch of their meows based on the desired outcome.
Although it is more intricate, here are a few basic meows and what they could mean.

The Short, High meow:
A standard greeting or acknowledgement.

The Extended, Mid Pitch meow:
A request for food.

The Harsh, Grating meow:
An urgent demand indicating perceived neglect or a closed door.

This system is highly effective. A single vocal cue regularly prompts a human to offer food, open a door, or provide physical affection. It is an efficient manipulation of human psychology.

Are cats viewing their humans as giant, slightly clumsy, less furry parents?
Or did they resort to kitten language to teach humans the primal basics of cat communication?