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Post by silverdragon on Apr 15, 2016 8:52:48 GMT
Its a kind of strange thing that should be tested.
Cats hiss, growl, or purr at each other, but, the meow thing is directed at Humans.
Cats do however "yang" in anger.... you can hear the long yowl sound of a cat argument, but the shorter "meyow" is an "I am here notice me" thing they reserve for us 'umans...
Wild cats do not therefore know how to meow until they "learn" it.
Also cats have Dialects....
The cat YOU hear is not the same as the cat I hear, in one country its more "Mjow" than Myow, where its meow over mechow in others.
There are other suitable cat myths, lets bring some together here?.
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Post by the light works on Apr 15, 2016 14:27:00 GMT
anyone who's had a litter of kittens on their back porch knows the standard mew does not require human instruction.
they may not use it much after they've grown up, but they know it.
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Post by ironhold on Apr 15, 2016 19:35:04 GMT
As someone who's had and raised cats for 25+ years? It depends upon how one defines what a "meow" is.
I've heard cats mew, meow, chirp, hiss, and make other noises towards each other.
I've likewise seen cats respond when humans mimic those noises.
Kittens, of course, will mew, meow, and chirp if it means getting the attention of their mother or whoever their guardian is.
Adults, meanwhile, will communicate verbally as the situation warrants. I've seen cats "talk" to each other through screen windows. I've seen cats go hunting for missing companions, calling for their comrade as they go. And of course cats will, in general, communicate verbally with each other when the situation warrants, such as a need for companionship or a need to establish boundaries.
So if you use a broader definition than a textbook "meow", then the myth is busted: cats communicate with each other through a variety of verbal means.
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Post by mrfatso on Apr 15, 2016 22:55:00 GMT
I belive the story is that ADULT cats do not meow to each other only to humans. www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/meowing-and-yowlingIt is said by some to be an expression of infantilisation amongst adult cats with regard to their behaviour with their owners. A meow is a vocalisation used by a kitten to gain it's mothers attention. Adult cats make a noise called a yowl that is similar to a meow to each other , but actually is not a meow . Having said that we did have a very elderly cat that did start meowing again to his co-cats but I think that was a second kitten hood before he passed away. |
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Post by ironhold on Apr 16, 2016 6:19:13 GMT
I belive the story is that ADULT cats do not meow to each other only to humans. www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/meowing-and-yowlingIt is said by some to be an expression of infantilisation amongst adult cats with regard to their behaviour with their owners. A meow is a vocalisation used by a kitten to gain it's mothers attention. Adult cats make a noise called a yowl that is similar to a meow to each other , but actually is not a meow . Having said that we did have a very elderly cat that did start meowing again to his co-cats but I think that was a second kitten hood before he passed away. It's still busted. Adult cats will, indeed, meow at other cats outside of infantilisation. |
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Post by mrfatso on Apr 16, 2016 8:03:50 GMT
I do not think it is, the experts would argue that the vocalisations that adult cats make to each other are not technically meows.
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Post by silverdragon on Apr 16, 2016 8:16:18 GMT
This looks like its getting some interest into what exactly is a meow.....
I have been around cats for many years, and, yes, they do make sounds towards each other, small chirps, etc, but the calling a sort of hello "Longhand" of a full meow when they are wanting fed wanting attention or just saying hello when they greet you, I am starting to wonder if its a language they have developed for us 'Umans?...
Yes they do "talk" to each other, but a lot of that talking is visual and/or "shorthand", unless they are in a full blown argument?.
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Post by mrfatso on Apr 17, 2016 3:11:48 GMT
I do not know f you saw this series SD.
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Post by silverdragon on Apr 17, 2016 9:14:24 GMT
Yes I did see that, and this is another brick in building this case.
The cat language changes around us?...
Most cat communication is "Non verbal"
Most Human communication starts with Verbal.
In fact we would ignore most non verbal communication unless we had some form of signal.
Cats have learnt that the meow is a good way to attract attention.
So that begs a question... Dogs bark?... has THAT been studied in the same way?...
Our own dog here is pretty silent when it comes to the woof...
He just doesnt bark that much.
Unless he hears a unexpected noise and needs us to investigate the front door or front garden... thats him being a fury burglar alarm, its his territory.
When he meets his friends, they dont mush start with the barking until they get to full on play fight?...
My own dog, if he wants attention, has learnt to just walk up and nudge me with his nose... it works pretty well.
But have DOGS leant the art of communication with Humans?...
I expect the answer is yes, but I dont think we know as much as we think we do?..
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