Stray cats are often thought of as silent, independent, and isolated. Yet, they communicate constantly—among themselves, but also with humans—through a complex and fascinating language made up of visual signs, sounds, smells, and postures. Understanding this language means entering their world… and better knowing how to help them.
Here are 5 forms of communication used by stray cats, and what they reveal about their emotional state and real needs.
1. Body language: their primary means of communication
A stray cat doesn't need to meow to express itself. Its body speaks:
- Upright tail : a sign of trust, sometimes directed towards humans it recognizes.
- Arched back and bristling fur : defense, fear or pain.
- Squatting position with ears flattened : distress or preparation to flee.
According to a study from the University of Ottawa, 70% of feline communication is conveyed through body posture.
Understanding these signals allows you to react correctly and offer help without frightening them.
2. Meows: a language reserved primarily… for humans
Surprisingly, cats rarely meow at each other.
Meowing is a language developed primarily to communicate with humans.
- A long, deep meow: suffering or a cry for help
- A short, high-pitched meow: a request for food or contact
- Irregular purring: sometimes a sign of pain (and not just happiness)
If a stray cat meows in front of a house, it's not by chance: it has identified a human as a potential protector.
3. Olfactory brands: their way of sending invisible messages
Cats release pheromones through their glands:
- On the bushes,
- The walls,
- The shelters,
- Or even on humans whom they rub with their heads.
These marks are used to say:
- "This place is safe"
- "I passed through here"
- "I accept your presence."
A Miawi shelter quickly becomes a “positive olfactory landmark” for cats, reducing their stress and subtly attracting other cats in need.
4. Gaze and slow movements: a language of trust
Stray cats also communicate with their eyes:
- Slow blinking : a sign of confidence and relaxation
- Fixed gaze with dilated pupils : fear or alertness
Feline behaviorists call the "slow blink" a true "cat kiss".
If a cat looks at you and slowly closes its eyes… it is telling you: “I feel safe with you.”
5. Their behavior in the face of shelter reveals their emotional state
When a cat finds shelter, Miawi:
- He circles around, sniffs and listens → checks for safety
- If he goes in and lies down → he has given you his deepest trust
- Some deposit pheromones or return to the same spot every day → a sign of positive territoriality
A shelter is not just a physical refuge… it is a place of communication, where the cat says: “I am alive, I am here, I finally feel protected.”
Conclusion: Listening to cats gives them a voice.
Stray cats speak — discreetly, subtly, but intensely. They express fear, pain, but also gratitude, trust, and attachment.
By offering them shelter, we are not only sheltering their bodies: we are responding to their silent plea.
Understanding their language means knowing when and how to act.
The Miawi shelter is the concrete answer to this language of the heart.
