Most of us are familiar with a variety of cat sounds, including meows, hissing, growls and purrs. A meow can mean anything from "I want food" to "will you play with me?" to "hello there". Some cats, such as Siamese cats, are much more vocal than others. No one knows exactly how the purring sound is made but it usually indicates contentment. Hissing and growling usually mean the cat feels threatened or unhappy about something. Cats, especially very young ones, might make these sounds when playing too.
Cats rarely meow when communicating amongst themselves. They use a combination of body language, tail movement, scent and eye contact. When communicating with humans, cats differ their sounds by rhythm, intensity, pitch, tone and volume, so we can take a reasonable guess at what they are trying to say.
Cats sometimes use sounds when communicating with one another too. If a kitten wanders off, the mother cat might meow loudly and clearly to call her offspring back to safety. A cat might hiss or growl if another cat or intrudes on its territory. A cat enjoying some prey it has hunted will also use these sounds to warn off another cat coming too close.
Cat Sense of Smell and Communication
A cat's sense of smell is acute and highly developed. It is used in several ways to facilitate communication. Two cats living together will sniff each other several times a day. This tells the cats where the other has been, what they have been doing, what they have recently eaten and whether they came into contact with another animal. Cats detect pheromones left by other cats, usually when marking territory. If a cat could talk, it might ask these things verbally but a few sniffs tell them everything they need to know.
Cats living together often groom one another. This provides social interaction, removes parasites and keeps the fur clean. A mother cat recognises the scent of her own kittens and grooms them often to provide comfort, keep them clean and encourage bowel movements.
Cat Talk and Hierarchy
Hierarchy amongst cats is determined by the outcomes of social interactions between the cats. Some factors determining hierarchy include gender, the environment, reproductive status, age, size, aggressiveness and submissiveness.
Hierarchy between cats is different to hierarchy between dogs. Dogs are pack animals and exhibit dominant actions, such as growls, stares or body checks. Cats, on the other hand, don't live or hunt in packs. If two or more cats live together, the hierarchy might be present but humans might not recognise the subtle dominance signals and cat secret talk is used to decide hierarchy. One sure-fire way to upset a hierarchy is to introduce a new cat. The newcomer's status is unclear so the other cats will use their secret communication to sort the situation out.
Cat Communication and Territory
Cats are territorial animals. Their territory is usually a combination of places they share with other cats and other places they consider theirs and their alone. A cat marks its territory by urinating, scratching or rubbing its body on an object. Other cats can see these marks as clearly as signposts, telling them which other cat's territory they are in. Cats can detect pheromones in urine or from a place where another cat has rubbed itself.
With so many ways of determining territory, hierarchy and much more, cats hardly need words!
What is Cat Secret Talk?
Most of us are familiar with a variety of cat sounds, including meows, hissing, growls and purrs. A meow can mean anything from "I want food" to "will you play with me?" to "hello there". Some cats, such as Siamese cats, are much more vocal than others. No one knows exactly how the purring sound is made but it usually indicates contentment. Hissing and growling usually mean the cat feels threatened or unhappy about something. Cats, especially very young ones, might make these sounds when playing too.
Cats rarely meow when communicating amongst themselves. They use a combination of body language, tail movement, scent and eye contact. When communicating with humans, cats differ their sounds by rhythm, intensity, pitch, tone and volume, so we can take a reasonable guess at what they are trying to say.
Cats sometimes use sounds when communicating with one another too. If a kitten wanders off, the mother cat might meow loudly and clearly to call her offspring back to safety. A cat might hiss or growl if another cat or intrudes on its territory. A cat enjoying some prey it has hunted will also use these sounds to warn off another cat coming too close.
Cat Sense of Smell and Communication
A cat's sense of smell is acute and highly developed. It is used in several ways to facilitate communication. Two cats living together will sniff each other several times a day. This tells the cats where the other has been, what they have been doing, what they have recently eaten and whether they came into contact with another animal. Cats detect pheromones left by other cats, usually when marking territory. If a cat could talk, it might ask these things verbally but a few sniffs tell them everything they need to know.
Cats living together often groom one another. This provides social interaction, removes parasites and keeps the fur clean. A mother cat recognises the scent of her own kittens and grooms them often to provide comfort, keep them clean and encourage bowel movements.
Cat Talk and Hierarchy
Hierarchy amongst cats is determined by the outcomes of social interactions between the cats. Some factors determining hierarchy include gender, the environment, reproductive status, age, size, aggressiveness and submissiveness.
Hierarchy between cats is different to hierarchy between dogs. Dogs are pack animals and exhibit dominant actions, such as growls, stares or body checks. Cats, on the other hand, don't live or hunt in packs. If two or more cats live together, the hierarchy might be present but humans might not recognise the subtle dominance signals and cat secret talk is used to decide hierarchy. One sure-fire way to upset a hierarchy is to introduce a new cat. The newcomer's status is unclear so the other cats will use their secret communication to sort the situation out.
Cat Communication and Territory
Cats are territorial animals. Their territory is usually a combination of places they share with other cats and other places they consider theirs and their alone. A cat marks its territory by urinating, scratching or rubbing its body on an object. Other cats can see these marks as clearly as signposts, telling them which other cat's territory they are in. Cats can detect pheromones in urine or from a place where another cat has rubbed itself.
With so many ways of determining territory, hierarchy and much more, cats hardly need words!
Thomas Kellerman has been training cats for many years. To find out more about cat secret talk and how they communicate, just visit: http://www.ourcatsecrets.com/cat-chat-how-cats-communicate.html
(Oceanside, Oregon) - Through the mysterious cave in the headland known as Maxwell Point, you emerge to one of the Oregon coast's most glorious secret spots. (Video tour of this secret spot at the end of this article)It all begins at Oceanside with the southern entrance: a concrete bunker-like structure that seems to keep open this hole in the cliff. It does periodically become the victim of landslides, and falling rocks can become a problem, so it’s best not to enter that tunnel during inclement weather. The soggy ground above can cause this tunnel to be cut off, thus trapping you.It goes from a bunker to a cave, and soon you’ve got to amble down some slightly testy boulders. The beach becomes a blend of sand and cobblestones polished and rounded by the tides. Continue northward and you’ll encounter structures built by visitors, like little shelters made of driftwood, lying around in various states of disrepair.
If sand levels are low enough, lots of cobblestones will be embedded in the sand, some rather loosely, and at serious low tide events a huge array of marine gardens are present.Given the right conditions, these cobblestones, when touched by the tide, make interesting rattling noises, which are sometimes nicknamed “magic rocks.”You’ll notice a nice collection rocky slabs and basalt shapes to wander around on, some on the cliff itself and some at the tide line. One area, with a kind of basalt ramp, looks a little like the setting in the old Star Trek episode that featured the Gorn (that famous lizard man fighting Kirk). Another dose of early Star Trek used to exist just a ways down, where a basalt arch once stood (it looked a little like that time travel structure Kirk and gang dropped into to get to the 1930’s). Some winter in the mid 2000’s, the arch came down, leaving two stacks amidst the grouping that already sit on the northern edge of this secret beach.Numerous little mini-caves lurk here, including a sizable one at the very end of the beach.These sea stacks reveal remarkable colonies of starfish at low tide events. It’s spectacular.
The large rock structure that creates a kind of dead-end here is called Hatbox Rock. At the very beginning of the century, when Oceanside was an almost bustling tourist resort, there was a walkway constructed on this structure – called an Angel Walk – which wrapped around it and allowed folks to wander to the other side. It was fairly elevated above the ground, but no doubt it didn’t last long in these gnarly oceanic conditions.On the other side is a hidden cove called Lost Boy Beach, which really is not accessible anymore. There is apparently another tunnel here, which once connected the hidden beach to Short Beach, which can be found via a couple miles’ drive to the north, close to Cape Meares. More About Pacific City, Oceanside, Netarts, Tierra Del Mar Lodging..... More About Pacific City, Oceanside, Netarts, Tierra Del Mar Restaurants..... 
Sometimes the best dining in Lincoln City can be grabbing something to go and munching on the beach.(Lincoln City, Oregon) - On Oregon's Central Coast, there's much ado about eating.Something about the ocean air just makes for a heartier appetite - or maybe it's all that bouncing around the beach. Lincoln City has the largest array of restaurants available on the coast, and no shortage of something for everyone. Upscale, mid-price range, family joints to fast food: you'll find everything, often with a stunning ocean view. Before you head out to the coast, indulge in this preview of Lincoln City’s most dynamic and engaging restaurants, along with a sampling of stunners in nearby areas of Newport and Yachats.
Fathoms Restaurant. Dine to one of the most breathtaking views on the entire coast, several stories above the surf, inside the Inn at Spanish Head. Breakfast features various griddle classics like pancakes, waffles, French toast to pigs in a blanket around $7, along with a large array of omelets in the worlds of seafood, veggies and meats around $10 - $13, or build your own. A choice of more elaborate breakfast skillet dishes is available too. For lunch, there’s plenty of seafood specialties, pastas, salads and sandwiches. At dinner, steaks, clams, fish, chorizo, pastas and dozens of intricate, gourmet dishes grace the menu, made with extravagant flair and creativity, often in the $20 - $30 range. Find delicacies like Surf ‘n’ Turf, Blackened Ahi, Wild Mushroom Risotto, Lobster Tails and chicken dishes, featuring interesting additions like stuffed mushrooms or Thai-influenced aspects, all creating the many layers of delirium. 4009 SW Highway 101. Lincoln City, Oregon. 541-994-1601 or 800-452-8127. www.spanishhead.com/site/restaurant.html (Fine dining, family, lounge)
Mo's Lincoln City. Situated on Lincoln City’s Siletz Bay, where seals and other marine life abound, creating an unparalleled show. Start off with appetizers like oyster shooters or in the half shell, skewers, seafood cocktails, fries, clam strips and fried goodies ($3 - $10). Salads include many seafood varieties. Sandwiches (around $7) may find you munching a tuna melt, cod, sole, deep fried shrimp, clam fritter, or various hamburgers. Mo’s famous clam chowder comes in various sizes, including a gigantic sourdough bread bowl. Also, there’s chili and a scrumptious slumgullion (chowder w/ shrimp), and a bouillabaisse of shrimp, salmon, cod oysters, halibut and clams. For the land-dwellers, there’s BBQ ribs, chicken strips, grilled chicken and country fried steak (served with mashed potatoes and country gravy). Dinners come with chowder, salad and choice of rice, fries, vegetables or mashed potatoes – all with just about any seafood option possible, as well as fish ‘n’ chips. 860 SW 51st Street. Lincoln City, Oregon. 541-996-2535. www.moschowder.com. (family, seafood, burgers, lunch, dinner)- Dining Near Lincoln City 
Pelican Pub & Brewery. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and microbrews – all in a family restaurant with an amazing ocean view. It all begins with breakfast (generally around $10), that includes a large menu of egg concoctions, omelets, pancakes and surprises like breakfast burritos and benedict a la Florentine. Lunch ($9 - $11) has bundles of salads, seafood, chowder, sandwiches, fish and chips, and interesting morsels like wings, calamari, bangers and mash and even shark. Plenty of pizzas dominate. Amidst the usual toppings you can find chicken, spinach or even a barbecue sauce. Calzones as well. Dinner ($10 - $20) brings a fancier slant to the gourmet vibe, including salmon, beef brisket, prime rib, beef medallions, chicken and other seafood specialties dishes. Many pastas and a kids menu rounds out the culinary action. 33180 Cape Kiwanda Drive. Pacific City, Oregon. 503-965-7007. www.pelicanbrewery.com. (30 minutes from Lincoln City). (family, seafood, microbrews, breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Tidal Raves. Upscale yet casual dining, with massive windows to wowing views. Specializes in seafood and more. Varied menu caters to different tastes and budgets. Dinner entrees include seared sea scallops, salmon or rib eye char grilled, crab casserole, Thai-spiced barbecued shrimp or a fancy pasta with various seafood (around $20). Breaded halibut or pacific cod, char grilled top sirloin, panko breaded razor clams. Lunch menu features some of the same but smaller and less cost. Fanciful homemade desserts. 279 NW Hwy 101. Depoe Bay, Oregon. 541-765-2995. www.tidalraves.com (upscale, seafood, steaks, lunch, dinner)
Mo's Newport. The iconic original, with an open wall to the bayfront. Appetizers huge and serve a family, ($5 - $26). Entrees ($10 - $14) w/ signature Mo’s clam chowder, salad and other choices. Large dishes of halibut, local oysters, calamari, prawns, cod, clam strips or massive combo plates, cioppino, fish tacos and of course fish ‘n’ chips. Seafood sandwiches ($7 - $13). Luscious pastas. Burgers, chicken, hot dogs and more for the landlubbers as well. 622 SW Bay Blvd. Newport, Oregon (25 miles from Lincoln City, Oregon).. 541-265-2979. www.moschowder.com. (Family Restaurant, Seafood)
Mo's West. Astounding views of dramatic vistas, Otter Rock and the Devil’s Punchbowl. Appetizers, like baked oysters or shrimp cocktail. Major dinners w/ signature Mo’s Chowder, and include grilled scalloped oysters in butter and cream, grilled oysters, a monster cioppino or shrimp casserole ($9 - $15). Seafood sandwiches (about $7) feature grilled oyster, shrimp, clam fritter or tuna. Sizable menu of non-ocean goodies like grilled chicken sandwich, chilli dog, hamburgers or quesadilla and vegetarian specialties ($5 - $9). Enormous stews. Open seasonally. 122 1st Street. Otter Rock (15 miles from Lincoln City, Oregon).. 541-765-2442. www.moschowder.com. (Family Restaurant, Seafood, Oceanview)
Mo's Annex. An engaging view to Yaquina Bay starts things off. Gigantic appetizers, feeding four to six for around $10. Seafood specialties ($10 - $15) come w/ famed Mo’s clam chowder and more: a cioppino crammed with local oysters, clams, salmon shrimp and cod in rich Italian sauce; fish tacos. Large entrees ($10 - $16) feature petroli sole, halibut steak, salmon and codfish. Seafood sandwiches (around $9). Burgers, hot dogs, etc. 657 SW Bay. Newport (25 miles from Lincoln City, Oregon). 541-265-7512. www.moschowder.com (Family Restaurant, Oceanview Dining) 
Inn at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms. Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly. Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. http://www.atcannonbeach.com/.
