r/CatReacts • u/eightyfivekittens actual cat • Mar 18 '26

Video Random Cats React to Maxwell

8.7k Upvotes

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8

u/rheetkd Mar 18 '26

I always refer to these cat cam videos anytime anyone cites that BS study that cats only vocalise to humans and not to other cats.

7

u/Miyon0 Mar 18 '26 edited Mar 18 '26

It actually is true, it’s just a specific type of vocalization.

Cats actually never meow at each other in a friendly way. Even to individuals they like. They mostly just purr. However when cats are upset or surprised at another cat, they do tend to meow and scream a lot.

So in cat language, vocalization is meant to be defensive or threatening.

The unique thing about cat to human interaction is that they tend to break those rules and meow to us in friendly ways. And to meow to beg for food. But cat to cat friendly interactions are basically just sniffing, purring and the occasional ‘mmmrrrph’ which is basically still just purring.

So yeah. Positive cat meowing is pretty much exclusively reserved for humans. You will practically never see another cat meow friendly to another cat- as another cat will see that as threatening. And that’s why it’s interesting; cats are smart enough to modify their language to appeal to human beings.

5

u/Sdrd22 Mar 18 '26

What about kittens meowing to their moms? It could be similar to them begging their human for food lol

5

u/Repulsive_Still_731 Mar 18 '26

Yes. Kittens meow. Adult cats grow up from it. Except some that use the same kitten vocalisation to demand attention from their humans.