We all know that cats can’t talk, but that doesn’t stop them from communicating with us. Your cat has many tricks up her sleeve to give you insight into her life. The following three clues can help you decode what your kitty is trying to tell you.

Presents
Usually accompanied by a meowing song at night, one of the ways that your kitty shows that she loves you is by bringing you her favorite toy or an interesting find. Jean Chu’s cat, Dusty, has managed to snag over 600 items from her neighbors to bring to her as gifts.

If you’re lucky enough to be the recipient of a dead mouse or bird, consider this. Your kitty loves you so much, she brought home food for you. This is how she would teach her beloved kittens to hunt for food in the wild.

Vocalizations
Cats have over 100 sounds in their repertoire, but they rarely make noise to communicate with one another. Kittens meow to their mothers to keep them near, and adult cats meow to you as a sign of familial affection. Of course they also meow for food, which mommy dearest used to provide for them.

However, older cats may vocalize because as their senses decline, they can become disoriented. Hearing your voice can help to put them at ease. Hypertension, hyperthyroidism, headaches, and other causes of pain and discomfort can also cause a cat to yowl. If you have concerns, it’s a good idea to talk to your vet.

Improper elimination
When your cat eliminates outside of the litter box, it’s almost always a sign that something is wrong. She could be expressing dissatisfaction with the litter, itself. Some cats don’t like the sinking feeling of too much litter, and most cats dislike scented litter. All cats dispise a dirty cat box, and eliminating on the floor could be a cue to clean it more often.

Yet, this behavior can also be a sign of more complex problems. Multiple cat households may find that one or more cats refuse to use the litterbox. This can be remedied by adding more litter boxes throughout the house. Improper urination, though, can be caused by urinary tract infections and kidney disease. Again, double check with your vet if your cat starts displaying this behavior.

Does your cat have a special way to show you that they care? We’d love to see it! Find us on Instagram, and share your photos.