Nonverbal Communication with Our Dogs and Cats

Nonverbal communication is a gift that all living beings share, one you’ll need to reawaken to better interact with and care for your animal companions. Most dog and cat lovers already understand canine and feline body language, which is one non-verbal technique. But you can use your other, natural, nonverbal communication skills, and actually begin to see things through your dog or cat’s eyes, and become his/her voice.

You can learn animal communication by taking a class or reading some of the great books available today on the subject. But many of the basics are so simple that we can easily begin nonverbally communicating right away. Remember, long before humans had spoken language, we were able to communicate among ourselves and with the animals; it is a kind of heart to heart communication skill that we all possess.

Did you ever know a set of twins who said they each knew what the other was thinking, or you heard your mother say she had “woman’s intuition” or “just knew something was wrong.” Have you ever had an image of a friend come to mind and then received a phone call from that very person saying,“I was just thinking about you and wanted to say hello”? These are all examples of nonverbal communication.

Those of us fortunate enough to have been raised with animal companions probably “talked” to them all the time—and they “talked” back—without words. You didn’t have to be Dr. Doolittle to do it, either. You may have chalked up your own memories of such experiences to an overly active imagination. But it’s far more likely that, as a child, you were still unencumbered by belief systems that would tell you otherwise.

You can try it anytime with your own dog or cat, simply by listening to your heart, instead of to your head with its endless, meaningless chatter. Just let those thoughts pass by you, and relax and breathe deeply. You’re going to visualize your furry companion coming over to you. Close your eyes so that you focus on every detail: the feeling of your dog or cats lovely coat, those deep, trusting eyes staring up at you, and imagine him walking toward you. Often, even the first time you try it, your cat or dog will be by your side before you know it, so happy that you’ve communicated with him at long last, in his own way.

Please don’t worry about whether you’re “doing it right.” Not every person (or animal) is visually oriented. Visualization is just like imagining or remembering. It may come as actual pictures, like a movie, or as sounds, or a voice, or as feelings, or just a sense of “knowing.” Any way you receive the information is valid.

1 of 4

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Dale O.

7:29PM PDT on Apr 19, 2012

Interesting but please don't use an article to post an advert for Moxxor-this is supposed to be about communicating with pets not stuff we should be purchasing. Reading about things we should purchase in the comment section drives me up the wall.

My cat is 16 and blind and she rules with an iron paw. She certainly lets me know when she wants attention and will stand by my chair on the left hand side first and insist of back rubbing and talk and then she moves to the right hand side and insists on a much longer session purring loudly, meowing and pure enjoyment.
I am now allergic to her but will never give up the cat with Tortitude!

send a green star

Celeste Y.

2:39PM PDT on Apr 3, 2012

One of my very good friends and fellow Moxxor distributors, which is a product she and I both take ourselves and share with our dogs and cats, is a top animal communicator and I wanted to share a session she did with me when I was naturally rearing kittens on the holistic principles outlined in my book Holistic Cat Care which you can learn about at http://www.CelestialPets.com. This video clip is from a YouTube clip from That’s My Baby ~ Mimosa Tonkinese Cat! I retired from breeding and showing when we reached the 11th generation which proved without a shadow of a doubt how much each generation of cats improved on the raw meat diet and holistic principles. It was like a quantum leap each generation! Our energies at CelestialPets.com are directed to rescue efforts and sharing the wealth of knowledge acquired during these 20 years! Here is Joan Ranquet and I with the babies and the film crew from Animal Planet and Joan is seen here doing a beautiful job of interviewing them! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeN8zZA5nIQ

Patricia G.

8:51AM PST on Nov 20, 2011

Great post, Celeste, I loved it!!! Thanks a lot for your contribution; it's really useful!! I'll sure share it with all my pet-loving friends.

Jack P.

8:15PM PST on Nov 14, 2011

nice info

Sarah M.

12:51AM PDT on Oct 26, 2011

thanks.

Patsy W.

8:55PM PDT on Sep 11, 2011

This is actually so interesting, I feel like my dog actually understands what we say sometimes!!!