why do cats meow

Cats meow primarily to communicate with humans. Unlike kittens who meow to their mothers for attention or needs, adult cats rarely meow at each other and use meowing specifically to interact with people. Cats meow for many reasons including greeting people, requesting attention, asking for food, wanting to be let in or out, or signaling they are in distress or need something. Meowing is a learned vocal behavior adapted by domestic cats to get humans to respond, much like a child's cry, and is used consistently throughout their lives to communicate with people rather than other cats. Some cat breeds, such as Siamese, are more vocal and meow more frequently than others. Additionally, changes in meowing patterns can indicate stress, illness, or cognitive issues in cats. In summary, cats meow to effectively communicate their needs and emotions to humans, using this vocalization as a tool to interact since adult cats do not meow to other cats.