Definition of Meow
A meow or miaow is a cat vocalization. Meows may have a large range of sounds. Adult cats rarely meow to each other, and so adult meowing to human beings is generally considered a post-domestication extension of meowing by kittens: a call for attention.
Pre-domesticated felines are believed to have communicated with each other mainly via their sense of smell and marking behaviors which provide a superior means of communication with other cats, but as they were domesticated they learned to vocalize to humans. Their vocalizations can signal hunger, desire to go outside, or simple greetings.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Meow?
A meow or miaow is a cat vocalization. Meows may have a large range of sounds. Adult cats rarely meow to each other, and so adult meowing to human beings is generally considered a post-domestication extension of meowing by kittens: a call for attention.
Sources & credits
- Wikipedia: Meow – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Mdebona at English Wikipedia – Public domain