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Some cats are very talkative, some never say a word. But all communicate with their owners in some fashion. The studies that have been done on feline communication discuss general vocalizations such as the low moan some cats use as a warning when an attack is imminent. Whether specific sounds can be linked to specific words is unknown. But if you figure it out, you'll be famous! Incidentally, cats that were relatively quiet but suddenly start to vocalize more can have diseases such as hyperthyroidism and hypertension. But some normal cats are always talkative and just like to express themselves.

Drew Weigner, DVM, ABVP
The Cat Doctor
Board Certified in Feline Practice

You've got me concerned with your statement about cats that were relatively quiet and start to vocalize can have diseases. My 10 yr. old male cat has recently started to vocalize to me every time I'm in the shower. No other time does he speak. Does he have a disease?

I own two cats. Lily was adopted from a shelter as an adult and Theo was adopted as a kitten. Before formally adopting Theo, I was a foster home for kittens left at our local Humane Society if they were too young to be added to their adoption program. I raised the babies (and their mothers, if the kittens had one) separate from Lily because it stressed both Lily and the foster families.

Before I started taking in the foster litters, I thought Lily had a problem with her voicebox because she she didn't meow loudly enough to be heard. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. However, she began talking to me out loud in the same manner that Dee9840 describes, including what I would describe as "inflections" and "facial expressions" after I started taking in the foster kittens.

Theo's was the last litter I fostered, and I adopted him myself because he didn't meet the weight requirement for adoption from the kitten population at the shelter. He and Lily get along as well as any other multi-cat household I've seen, but it seems Lily is teaching Theo to talk to me in the same manner she began doing. It sounds crazy, I know, but can a talking cat teach another cat the same behavior? They are both actively conversing with me!

To make matters even quirkier, I tried to teach my foster litters the words "dangerous" and "no, no" and they often reacted when I used those specific words. I also repeatedly called each kitten by its given name. As a result, Theo comes to me when I call to him and Lily has started doing it, too. It has been a real godsend a couple of times when Theo was closed into a closet or spare room by accident. (He meows and pushes his paw underneath the closed door as we go around the house calling his name.)

Am I simply attributing behaviors I want to see, or do other people's cats come when called, know their own names, or "freeze" when hearing the word "dangerous"?

That is so cool.

I know some of mine talk more then others.

I have never thought about doing a study as to what they are saying wouldnt that be interesting.