Every feline possesses its own distinct personality, just as people do. Even purebred cats of breeds known for a certain character profile don't always match the descrip-
tion. Your Siamese may not be as boisterous as the majority of his relatives; your British shorthair, a breed known for its calm and self-possessed manner, may be quite skittish. But like a bonding parent who learns to read the subtle body nuances of a newborn, you can become attuned to your cat's temperament and idiosyncrasies, making for a more harmonious relationship.
How Cats Communicate
Felines express a surprising variety of sounds, each carrying one or more messages. On sighting a bird, a cat may clack its teeth in a chatter of excitement. A rhythmic
pur ring usually signals contentment, but a cat also may purr when injured or while giving birth. In response to a threat, a feline may growl or grumble, often as a prelude to hissing or spitting. Owners should read hissing as a defensive, "Keep back. I'm scared right now."
Cats talk to people primarily with meows, which come in many forms and carry many different meanings. You will quickly become an expert translator of your cat's meows.
Easiest to interpret is the meow of request, which is usually accompanied by a head-held-high, front-paws-together begging posture. Sometimes a meow expresses
complaint, anxiety or confusion. Other easily recognized cat sounds include the hissing, spitting, the caterwauling of battle-readiness and the sharp yelp or scream of
pain. And there certainly is no mistaking the yowl of a feline in heat or the boisterous uproar of mating cats.
To reduce the chances of your cat from getting hairballs, try brushing her coat on a daily basis. Also consider giving your cat a special laxative, available through your veterinarian, 2-3 times weekly to help the fur accumulating in the stomach to slide through the intestinal tract and into the litter pan. There are also specially designed commercial cat diets formulated for hair ball control which can also help.
