Do cats meow at each other?

If you’ve ever watched two cats together, you might notice a lot of posturing, tail flicks, and staring contests. But not a lot of meowing.

That’s because meowing isn’t really how cats talk to each other. It's mostly reserved for us humans. Here’s why.

1. It's too obvious

In the wild or even in a multi-cat household, cats communicate in more subtle ways. Like body language, scent marking, and occasional hissing or growling. Meowing is something cats develop specifically to interact with humans. Over time, they’ve learned that it’s an effective way to get our attention.

2. Kittens meow to their mothers—but it stops there

Kittens meow at their mothers when they’re hungry, cold, or in need of care. But as they grow up, they stop using meows for cat-to-cat communication. Once they’re independent, they rely on non-verbal cues when interacting with other cats.

3. Cats use body language to communicate

When it comes to cat-to-cat communication, body language and scent are the primary tools. They’ll arch their backs, puff up their fur, or slowly blink to send messages. Scent marking through rubbing or spraying is another way cats establish territory and express themselves. The lack of vocal communication between cats doesn’t mean they’re not talking — it just looks different.

4. Hissing and growling are the exceptions

While meowing is rare between cats, you’ll still hear hissing, growling, or yowling when things get tense. These sounds are reserved for warnings and establishing dominance. They’re not casual chit-chat — they’re serious messages. That say, “Back off,” or “This is my space.” Cats save vocalisations for when they need to be clear and direct with each other.

5. Your cat has trained you to respond

Cats learn fast that we respond to meowing. Whether it’s food, attention, or just to open a door, humans are more likely to react to vocal cues. Over time, cats refine their meows to manipulate us better. Often using different pitches and tones depending on what they want. It’s a skill they don’t need with other cats — just with us.

6. Feral cats meow less

If you’ve ever observed feral cats, you’ll notice they’re a lot quieter than our domesticated friends. Feral cats rely on silent cues to communicate within their colonies. Since they aren’t interacting with humans, they have little need to meow at all. This difference highlights how the meow is largely a domesticated behaviour. And tailored to life with people.

7. Cats have their own "silent language"

Between cats, communication is more about subtle gestures than sound. A raised tail can indicate friendliness. While a sidelong glance might signal caution. By the time most cats reach adulthood, they’re fluent in this silent language. Meowing becomes a secondary, human-focused form of communication — like a second language they only use with us.

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