Our pets may not be fluent in human languages, but they can usually get their points across pretty clearly and sometimes painfully. Keeping the lines of communications open sometimes requires a bit of ingenuity from both parties, but the conversation is usually worth the effort.

Much of our pets’ communication is an expression of their emotional connection with us. When we are sick pets can exhibit strange behavior when we are recovering. Sometimes things they have never done before - like bringing dead animals to you and laying them at your feet. Usually when we are back to good health these special deliveries will stop. This is one of their ways of showing they are concerned about us.

Of course, most of the time our pets’ messages are purely pragmatic. Both cats and dogs have awakened their owners to alert them that intruders were breaking into the home or just that they are hungry.

Highly sensitive service dogs who work with epileptics can sense when a seizure is imminent. One trained by Support Dogs alerts his owner and fetches a phone to get help as much as 30 minutes before the seizure occurs. But most of our companions do not have anything so dramatic to communicate. When things are really slow, they may have to manufacture their own drama.

I have a cat that spends her evenings wandering through the house meowing carrying one of my slippers in her mouth and “talking to herself.” Is she delusional? Who knows? But maybe, like many humans, some animals just enjoy the sound of their own voices.

Ways to Communicate With Your Pets

1. Start noticing what your pet is paying attention to. What interests them and what’s their reaction. Do they look directly into your eyes, trying to communicate some special message to you?

2. Start noticing your pet’s facial expressions when you are talking to them. Relate that to what you have learned about reading other’s faces to see what they are saying in their expressions. Do they whimper, or whine? Do they smile, grin or even make sounds when you are petting them. This is the beginning of communication.

3. When responding to your pets call speak the first thing that comes into your mind. Then see what your pets’ reaction is. You might be surprised at their facial or vocal answer. Many times the animal will have a specific way of answering you such as lunging happily at you or licking your face to acknowledge that you have hit on the right information and answer to what they want or are talking about.

4. Allow them their independence. No one likes to feel that their thoughts are constantly listened to, or that someone is trying to intrude into their space. This is the very same in human communication through telepathy. Have permission and don’t abuse the connection.

What is your dog trying to tell to you?

Barking is an important way for your dog to communicate their needs and wants. Barking can relieve stress, boredom, can be an attention getter, and can be territorial. A dog’s body language is also a way for them to communicate. The following is a general guideline and is meant to help you learn how to interpret what your dog is trying to tell you. Keep in mind some dogs do not follow the “norm”.

Tail Pointing - Interested and looking for something

Tail Down (between legs) - Scared, defensive, being dominated

Tail Up - Happy

Tail Wag - Excited

Arched Back, Tail High, Hair Raised - Aggression

High Pitched Short Repetitive Bark - Wants attention, play

Normal Short Bark - Hello

Barks and turns away - Follow me

Low Deep Short Bark - Announcing a stranger

Low Deep Repetitive Bark - Defensive protection

Growling - Warning, frightened, aggressive. Keep in mind some dogs growl during play and this is considered to be an instinct showing dominance not aggression. It should still not be allowed.

Whining or Yelping - Stress or pain

What is your cat trying to tell to you?

Cats use their meow to signal they need something but use their body language to convey a message. Below is a general guideline to follow but it is suggest you study your cat’s behavior because each cat can be very different.

Repetitive Meow - Feed me, let me outside, pay attention to me, wants something

Quick Meow - Hello

Howling - In season or searching

Purring - Content, soothing itself, or even frightened

Short Repetitive Meow with Hissing - Warning

Low Deep Growl - Aggression

Rubbing Head, Mouth and Body - Marking territory, pet me, wants something

Tail Swat Fast - Mad

Tail Swat Jerky - Stalking, pounce

Tail Swat Slow - Happy

Lap Sitting - Territorial, attention

Tail Up Shaking (Unneutered Males and Some Females) - Spraying territories. This should not be allowed.

Imagine if you will, one of the many stories that have been written from a pet’s point of view. Whether that be a cat or dog makes no difference. When the pets communicate with each other their main concern is about training the humans. Or they are trying to figure out why humans want so much comfort. Maybe they discuss getting those humans to share that comfort.

“It sure would be nice,” said George the German Shepherd, “to have a nice wonderful pet bed like that! I get on theirs all the time when they’re not home.”

“I know what you mean,” replied Juan the Chihuahua. “My owner has this wonderful lounge chair in the living room that I use as a bed. Only problem is I blend into the chair.”

Or

“Remember, the pillow is where we sleep.” said Cali the calico cat to her young protégé.

“But why the pillow?” asked the tabby kitten, Tiger. “Why don’t they just get us our own cat bed?”

“Because, young one,” Cali replied as she sauntered out of the bedroom. “Humans do not know any better. That is why we have to train them properly.”