‘In some ways, they treat us like they would another cat … In other ways, they look to us as a caregiver or provider,’ says feline behavior consultant Jessica Mockett. Photograph: Stackhouse Zhang/Getty Creative View image in fullscreen ‘In some ways, they treat us like they would another cat … In other ways, they look to us as a caregiver or provider,’ says feline behavior consultant Jessica Mockett. Photograph: Stackhouse Zhang/Getty Creative Well actually What is my cat saying? I asked experts to translate Slow blinking and trilling are some of the ways felines show affection – but experts say to ‘read the whole cat in context’
Madeleine Aggeler Wed 11 Nov 2026 17.00 GMT Last modified on Wed 11 Nov 2026 17.02 GMT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google I talk to my cat, Blue, constantly. I say things like, “You’re my little baby,” and “Wow, good jump,” and “Can you stop being a jerk for like, two seconds?”
She also seems to say a lot, like, “Feed me,” “Feed me right now,” and “Stop working and play with me.”
Because I’m obsessed with her, I like to think we have a perfect, mind-meld level of communication. But what if I’m wrong? What is Blue really trying to tell me? And what am I really telling her?
I turned to cat experts to find out how cats communicate, and how we can better understand them
First, it’s worth exploring how cats perceive us, as this can shape how they co