Reading Your Cat Body Language

Picture this: your cat walks by on the way to the kitchen and she has her tail up high like a flag. Then a few minutes later, her tail has changed to a poofy tail, like a bottle brush. What just happened?

While cats do communicate with body signals, there is also a high chance those signals will be misread. Responding to your cats needs can relieve stress for both you and your cat and strengthen your bond. Here are some of the signals you will want to look out for.

Tail Positions and What They Mean

When a dog displays its tail and keeps it raised, it is a sign that they are really happy and relaxed. Each dog is a little different and displays their emotions in different ways. When Juniper walks in with her tail raised, she is happy to see me and wants to socialize. If the tip of her tail is slightly curved, she is very friendly.

Cats show aggression or fear with raised tails. In dogs, a raised tail may mean they are excited to see you, but in cats, they are trying to look bigger to scare away the threat. If a tail is positioned lower, either a little or a lot, that means the animal is feeling anxious. If the tail quickly and often is positioned in a variety of ways, this shows how fast the animal's emotions is changing.

If a cat's tail is moving a lot this means they are either really irritated or overstimulated. If you see that the tail is moving a lot, that usually means you should stop what you are doing. A thrashing or thumping tail is very different from a dog's happy wag. In dogs, this means they are really excited to see you.

Reading the Ears

Ears that are pointed foward are listening. Your cat has picked up on something and is about to take a predatory action. This could be small prey, like birds or a larger prey, like you if you are rustling a bag of treats.

Ears that are pinned back are a sign of fear, agression, or severe irritation. The more flat the ears are, the more fear or irritation the cat is feeling. The cat may also show "airplane ears" by moving the ears sideways. This often occurs during play or when the cat is unsure about something.

Eye Contact and Blinking

In cat language, prolonged, unblinking stares can be seen as confrontational. If your cat seems to be fixating on another cat or animal, they could be trying to start a fight.

On the other hand, slow blinks, or a series of blinks, show that they trust and/or love you. Many owners refer to this as a cat kiss. You can also slow blink to convey the same idea!

In terms of body language, whether from fear/excitement or aggression, dilated pupils mean that they are stimulation. In a tense situation, constricted pupils might suggest that your cat is going to act defensively.

Body Posture Tells the Story

A calm cat's body is relaxed and their posture is fluid. This is indicated either by them loafing (including their paws), lying on their side, or sprawled. All of these show that your cat is relaxed and that they feel safe.\\ \

A cat that is threatened will arch their back with fur standing up. This is classic Halloween cat posture. Additionally, a cat that is frightened will have a low body and a head down, as they may be preparing to flee or to defend themselves.

When Your Cat Shows Their Belly

Most of the time when a cat rolls over and shows you their belly, it's a sign of trust, although it may not mean you should pet them. The belly is a sensitive area and a lot of cats will bite or grab you even if they appear calm when you touch their stomach.

Be sure to pay attention to other signs too. For example, if your cat has his tail, ears, and body relaxed, they may actually be okay with gentle rubs on their belly. But if the cat flattens his ears, or his tail starts moving, it's time to stop. Some cats just like to lounge and show their belly and don't want you to touch it.

Vocalizations Paired With Body Language

When combined with the sounds cats make, the language becomes clearer. A trill or chirp accompanied by a high raised tail usually means a happy greeting. In contrast, a hiss or a growl combined with ear flattening and low crouched posture is a clear warning to back off.

Purring generally signals contentment. However, when anxious or in pain, cats also purr. Check the rest of their body to understand the full picture. purring and jumping body may indicate the cat is experiencing some troubles and a trip to the vet may be in order.

It takes a lot of time and effort to learn how to read a cat's signals and expressions, but the reward is worth it! The more of a cat's signals you learn, the more you'll be able to partner with your cat's needs. Keep curious and keep attentive. Trust in your cat's signals!