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Faced with your meowing cat, you've probably thought how much easier life would be if we could talk to the animals.

But animal behaviour experts could hold the secret to what your cat is saying, claiming to have decoded up to 24 different meows.

Vet Gary Weitzman, author of How To Speak Cat, said: 'Cats only vocalise to people. There are probably one to two dozen different vocalisations per cat that we would classify as "meow." 

Animal behaviour expert: Vet Gary Weitzman said cats use their meows to 'train' humans into fulfilling their every wish, with different meows to say 'feed me', 'stroke me' or 'let me out'

Found a friend: Mr Weitzman is pictured with Wesley, a resident of the Humane Society shelter in San Diego

'However, you couldn't get a Webster's dictionary ... and define those meows, because they're individual for every single cat.'

Dr Weitzman said cats use their meows to 'train' humans into fulfilling their every wish, with different meows to say 'feed me', 'stroke me' or 'let me out'.

'You know what they're asking you for because they've trained you,' the Californian told US news website Salon.

'The difference between cats and dogs is that we can train both species but, for the most part, we train dogs to respond to what we want them to do. Cats, on the other hand, actually train us to respond to what they want us to do.'

He added: 'You can't translate a particular meow as being universal for all cats, but every cat will make up to two dozen meow vocalisations that mean specific and consistent things – the favourite being the 4.30am "gimme breakfast".'

Dr Weitzman has also decoded the non-vocal ways cats talk to us. 

For instance, extending their tails straight up equates to a human handshake, while a slow blink is akin to a peck on the cheek or a wink between friends. 

Headbutting and licking are also signs of affection.

When a cat is happy its whiskers are naturally extended out to the side. 

But if your cat flattens its ears you might want to stay away, as this means it is scared or preparing for a fight. 

Science: Dr Weitzman, author of How To Speak Cat, has also decoded the non-vocal ways cats talk to us

Feline: Cats are happy, calm or friendly when their whiskers are naturally out to the side, Dr Weitzman said

How now, meow meow? Cat has a 'Who is THAT?' moment