Why We Should Talk With Our Cats

Because conversations with whiskers matter too.

Have you ever noticed yourself talking to your cat? Maybe while you're getting ready in the morning or cleaning around the home? Well, you are not alone on this. An article from The Guardian highlighted how researchers from Paris Nanterre University did a study on cats and their responsiveness to hearing their owners’ voices. They found that cats “showed more signs of interest when they heard their owner speaking sentences in a tone usually used to address their cat – but not when a stranger used this tone, or when their owner spoke the same sentence as if addressing a fellow adult human.” This small discovery says something big about our bonds. Cats know us, not only by our routines or the sound of their food hitting the bowl, but by the ways we speak to them. Our tone of affection, warmth, and understanding goes a long way with our cats.

Whether it’s telling our kitties about our day or asking them what they want when they meow at us, we share a universal and meaningful habit as cat owners. Talking to our cats isn’t just a small quirk; it’s a huge reflection of our connection to our companions.

While they can’t respond with physical words, they show themselves to be excellent communicators. With gentle or aggressive meows, slow blinks, showing their bellies, and even more, these prove to be pieces of an ongoing conversation between us. When we speak to them, we aren’t just doing it to be funny; we’re truly strengthening our understanding and trust with our cats.

According to the government’s News in Health website, a study found that “Interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol and lower blood pressure,” directly reducing stress and helping our emotional well-being. Our cats have become quiet companions that don’t judge but comfort us in subtle ways we may not recognize. Cats each have a unique way of showing us empathy and can sense when we need comfort, if we’re tired, or even happy, resulting in a curated response to give us what we may need.

So, the next time that you talk to your cat, remember that it’s more than just small talk. It’s an act of love and connection that creates a strong bond with our companions. Ask your cat how they are, share a story, give them affirmations, whatever it is that you do, make sure your cat knows by your voice just how much you love and care about them.

Talking with our cat companions reminds us to stay present and slow down, even to make time to have conversations without expecting a physical response. Love doesn’t require translation; it can be understood through the elongated purring, cuddle sessions, or even just the look of comfort that our cats provide.

The next time you're home and have time for your kitty, look at them in their eyes and speak softly. They might respond in a way that’s surprising or complimentary to your bond that is already there.

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References:

Geddes, Linda. “Communi-Cat-Ive: Cats Attentive to Owner’s Voice, Research Finds.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 25 Oct. 2022, www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/oct/25/communi-cat-ive-cats-attentive-to-owners-voice-research-finds.

“The Power of Pets.” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 17 June 2024, newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets#:~:text=Interacting%20with%20animals%20has%20been,support%2C%20and%20boost%20your%20mood.