More Than Words: Communicating with Your Pet

Most pet parents would love to have Doctor Doolittle’s gift of talking with animals because it would just be so useful. A dog could tell its owner when it wanted to go outside simply by asking instead of frantically clawing at a door, and a finicky cat could easily choose its flavor preference for dinner rather than turning up its nose to tonight’s tuna. Unfortunately, we are not so lucky, but even though our pets don’t have a spoken language, they are able to communicate with us using their body language. Understanding these cues can help pet owners understand pets’ wants and needs, and it could go a long way in growing the relationship between pet and owner.

Dogs and cats can understand some words. Studies are divided as to each animal’s capacity for recognizing exact words, but most show that pets do acknowledge the intonation of sounds directed at them and can distinguish different languages. Speaking with them, even in a oneway conversation, is important and a great way to connect and let them know they are included as part of the family. Address them by name/nickname when they enter the area and chat with them during meal and play times. Observation is key to better communication with your furry companions. Keen awareness of their actions and demeanor can provide you with a wealth of information, making it more likely you can easily detect when something is off and address it.

For example, a dog’s tail has many tales to tell beyond wagging. The adage that a wagging tail means a happy dog is not always accurate. The dog’s natural tale position is lower and relaxed. A tale that is held higher is generally understood to be a sign of alertness or assertion, signaling the pet might sense something and is uneasy. If a dog tucks its tail in between its legs, it’s a sign of fear or insecurity about the circumstances.

A wagging cat’s tail is generally a sign that it is not happy with the current situation. It could be showing displeasure that a pet parent is giving affection on the wrong body part, or it could signal that another cat is encroaching on its territory. A tail held high is a generally a sign of contentment, and a curly tail can mean the cat is ready for play. Tails that are lower, tucked, or puffed up are signs of distress and irritation.

Making eye contact with a dog or cat needs to be done with caution, as direct contact can be seen as a dominant move. Always approach an animal with a relaxed body posture and soft voice while making indirect eye contact.

Ears also give a lot of clues as to the pet’s mood. Cats’ ears can distinguish lower and higher frequencies than a dog’s or human’s can. This helps the cat identify prey, but it also makes them very sensitive. If a cat’s ears are pulled back, they are fearful.

Dogs’ ears are normally in a neutral position when relaxed. If they are forward, the dog is more alert and interested in something. If they are flat to the head, the animal is afraid.

Technological advances will likely improve the ways people interact with their pets in the coming years. Now, though, if you have a lot of patience and a receptive pet, there are some communication devices available with programmable talking buttons. These devices can allow you to teach your pets common words used in their everyday lives such as treat, play, outside, and more.