Adult cats rarely meow at other cats. Kittens meow to their mothers when they're hungry or cold, but as they grow up, they stop using this vocalization to communicate with fellow felines. Instead, adult cats rely on body language, scent, hissing, growling, and other sounds like chirps or trills when interacting with other cats.

Meowing is essentially a learned behavior that cats use to “talk” to humans—often to get food, attention, or help. In a way, it’s their way of training us.

So if your cat is meowing, it’s probably not for the benefit of another cat—it’s for you.