Dr. Mustache is fluent in cat, he can teach you meanings behind meows, hisses, purrs and more.
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Just like humans cats make sounds when they're happy, angry, hungry, scared or they just want attention. Learn about your cat's vocalizations in this episode.
Matt Johnson - Dr. Mustache Kate Reynolds - Producer/Editor Matt Pagourgis - Producer
00:09Hey, Dr. Mustache here, and yes, I am fluent in cat.
00:14Hey, have you ever wondered what your cat's saying?
00:16Well, stick around and find out.
00:22Just like humans, cats make sounds when they're happy, sad, hungry, scared, or just want attention.
00:29But this wasn't always the case.
00:31Cats, as hunters, don't really need a large vocabulary,
00:34and they really only speak to each other when they're communicating with their kittens,
00:39or sexual partners, or potential enemies.
00:44In fact, wild cats rarely vocalize to each other, relying more on scent and body language.
00:50But cats have become much more vocal thanks to human domestication.
00:55Purrs are the most common vocalization for cats, but they're not well understood.
01:00Purrs are generally thought to indicate happiness, but they can also happen when a cat is upset or startled.
01:06Now, small cats, from house cats to pumas, are known to purr, as are some large cats like cheetahs.
01:12And kittens will start to purr when they're only a few days old.
01:15And if that doesn't make you say aww, then you have a cold, dead heart, sir.
01:20So why do they do it?
01:21Well, there are many theories.
01:23Now, one idea is that because kittens are born blind and deaf,
01:26their mother's purring actually gives them something physical to feel, so that they can find mom.
01:31Another idea is that the low-frequency vibrations of the purr are actually healing to the cat,
01:36helping them repair bones and muscles.
01:38Others still have suggested that cats purr just because they can.
01:42Now, we don't really know how they do it.
01:44We don't really know why they do it.
01:46We just know that it happens.
01:48I mean, wouldn't you purr if you could?
01:50You can just type purr in the comments section below, and we'll get it.
01:55I mean, YouTube should have a purr button.
01:57Seriously, do I have to think of everything?
02:02The word meow is onomatopoetic, which means that the word itself sounds like the action that it represents.
02:08Buzz, splash, meow!
02:10Hey, it's my new improv group.
02:12There are many types of meows.
02:14Hello meows.
02:16Demanding meows.
02:18Pay more attention to me meows.
02:20Meow.
02:21But, and this is surprising, while we hear meows often, meows between cats are really rare.
02:27There are some instinctual purposes for the meow between cats.
02:30For instance, with their sexual partners.
02:32Meow.
02:33Although, let's be honest, it's more of a caterwaul.
02:35Meow!
02:37Unlike dogs, which are pack animals, cats are descended from more solitary creatures.
02:41That's why most of their non-human-directed meows are used to avoid interactions with other cats.
02:47So, why do cats meow to people?
02:49Because meowing is what works.
02:51Cats rely on people for food and attention.
02:54Domestic cats learn early on that scent signals and other cat-to-cat messages that they send don't work with people, so they move on to meows.
03:02Cats who learn early on that vocalization will get them what they want, whether it's food, water, or a belly rub, are much more likely to be vocal around humans.
03:10And the same thing works the other way.
03:13People who spend more time with cats are more likely to understand what they're trying to signal.
03:20A hiss is a threat vocalization.
03:22Now, all threat vocalizations are produced with the mouth wide open and the ears pressed flat against the cat's head.
03:28And some have suggested that cats do this to mimic a snake.
03:32Cats make a variety of noises.
03:34Shrieks, mews, chirps, snarls, and more.
03:38All of them have a different meaning.
03:40In some cases, cats are mimicking their prey.
03:42And in other cases, they've just found a great new way to get your attention.
03:45Remember, cats want to communicate with you.
03:48They're trying to make you understand.
03:50And what are they trying to tell you?
03:52They're trying to tell you to subscribe to the Pet Collective!
03:55Do you have a pet that makes a crazy noise?
03:57Well, if you shoot video of that pet and share it with the Pet Collection, our sister channel,
04:02and we select your video to use in an upcoming episode of Pet Lab,
04:05then you can win a plush mustache like our cameraman Matt is wearing.
04:09Now, all the rules and details are in the description below.
