Do You Speak Cat?

Do you ever wonder what your cat is thinking or what message he's trying to convey when he interacts with you? Whether it's silent or vocal, cats are definitely telling you something - you just need to "speak" their language to understand.

Cat behavior is not only fun, it's fascinating. The experts at North Shore Animal League America have assembled some basic feline behavior body language translations so that you can make the most out of your relationship with your cat. Remember - it's important to take all parts of the body into consideration when assessing a cat's mood.

A Telling Tail:

A cat's tail is very telling of his mood and is probably what most people are familiar with when it comes to feline body language.

If your cat's tail is straight up and smooth, he is communicating friendliness and contentment. If his tail is quivering upon greeting, then he is quite happy to see you. If that same tail is puffed up with bristling hairs, then he is communicating anger, aggression or even fear.
If a cat has his tail tucked underneath his body, he is telling you he is afraid and is exhibiting his submission.
If the tail is wagging or fully twitching, the cat is irritated - beware. However if only the tip is twitching, it indicates interest in something or curiosity.
If his tail is half way up, he is feeling unconfident about a situation, but not aggressive.
A swishing tail can indicate that your cat is not feeling well, or he could be on the prowl. Either way, this is not the best time to approach him.

Those Engaging Ears:

A cat's ears have as much of a range of movement as they do a vocabulary. Cats can move their ears together and independently in all directions; and each direction makes its own statement.

If a cat's ears are straight up and forward, he is feeling alert, affectionate and is relaxed.
If his ears are to the side, he is likely concentrating on something and curious. It is best not to disrupt him at this time.
Ears that are down slightly may indicate that the cat is feeling unsure and defensive.
If his ears are up and back, the cat probably hears something that is intriguing, or he is concentrating on something.
Ears that are down and back usually means the cat is feeling fearful. Fear can lead to aggression, so best to stay away.
Flat, sideways ears indicate aggression or severe aggression, and extreme caution should be used. It's best not to bother the cat at this time.

Get Mesmer"eyes"ed:

There is no denying the hypnotic allure of a cat's eyes. You can get lost in their wild beauty. Though you can not determine a cat's behavior or mood by his eyes alone, you can get a good read on him by incorporating his eye language with the rest of his body language.

Rule number one with cat eyes: never stare directly into your cat's eyes. In the cat world, staring is a showdown and usually indicates aggression. Blinking, however, is a sign of friendship. Cats will blink at each other to say, "I mean you no harm." In addition, if there is a staring showdown between two cats, a neutral feline party may enter blinking - easing the situation into safety. Blink slowly at your cat to show you are his friend.
Wide eyes indicate that the cat is being attentive.
Eyes that are half closed mean a sleepy cat.
If your cat's eyes are cloudy, it can mean he is sleepy or it can indicate an illness. If your cat's eyes are cloudy all day, you should have him seen by a veterinarian.
When a cat's eyes are dilated, it can mean either extreme fear, aggression, pain or excitement. Make sure to pay attention to other body language signs for a more accurate mood analysis.

The Language of the Body:

Along with the tail, ears, eyes and voice, a cat also uses his body to convey a message. While kittens are more vocal to one another, older cats rely on non-verbal communication with each other.

How cats communicate with people is different still. Cats use their entire bodies including verbal and non-verbal messaging to communicate with people. It seems they have more to say than we think.

Head Signals:

Head bumping or head rubbing is a friendly greeting. Cats will greet people and other cats in this manner conveying the message that they are pleased to see you.
If a cat is staring with his head held low, he is in an aggressive stance. Eyes fixated, he will approach his target with his head low, shifting from side to side. That cat is ready to attack.
If a cat's head is low and to one side, that cat is acting defensively. He is in turn submitting to another dominant cat.

Rubbing:

Though your cat rubbing his head on yours is a friendly greeting, rubbing his body against your arm and leg is a territorial message. He is claiming you and leaving his scent to let others know that you are his.

Arching:

An aggressive cat will arch its back and puff up its coat in order to appear larger to an opponent. This aggressive language is usually accompanied by hissing and growling.

Rolling Over:

Many owners assume that when a cat rolls over on its back, it is an invite for a belly rub. This is not necessarily the case. While some want a gentle belly stroking, others may roll over because they are rubbing themselves against the floor, they just feel comfortable that way, they're being playful or they are simply relaxing. A cat's belly is a very sensitive spot, so when a cat turns his belly up during fighting, or play fighting; it usually is an act of surrender, or a tease for more rough play.

Vocalization:

Meowing: Generally, adult cats do not meow at each other. Kittens meow to their mothers as a sign that they are in need of food, affection, or attention, or they want to convey their displeasure about something. The same is true of adult domesticated cats with their human companions. When they meow, they are definitely telling you something.
Chirping: When you hear a cat chirping, that means he is intrigued, excited by something he sees. Chirping is often heard while the cat is looking out a window and he sees something he wants to attack/play with. This is often accompanied by a quick, twitching tail. This is not the time to pet your cat; he will only redirect his excitable energy on the next thing that comes near him.
Growling: A closed mouth growl can indicate both fear and aggression. A low, deep growl is often a warning to stay away…or you will regret it.
Hissing: Hissing can also mean both fear and aggression. The best way to try and differentiate is to step back and factor in other body language cues. If you encounter a hissing cat, slowly move away without turning your back to him.
Howling: General howling is a warning to stay away, but can also indicate extreme anxiety (or illness). Female cats will also howl when they are in heat.

Licking:

Cats are extremely social beings and will engage in licking as a means of grooming and friendly bonding. A cat will affectionately lick a person with the same purpose.

Purring and Kneading:

Purring and kneading is a sign of contentment for a cat. They are happy, content and are bonding with their companions. Kneading or pawing is also a way for a cat to mark their territory - leaving small amounts of scent from scent glands under their paws.

It is plain to see (and hear) that cats are complicated creatures with a vast spectrum of emotions and a large verbal and non-verbal vocabulary. Learning your cat's language will not only help you to understand him better, it will strengthen your bond.

This is only a handful of the messages conveyed through your cat's body language. The Animal League encourages you to explore further - through observation and education. Being able to communicate with your feline friend can open up endless possibilities…and your cat might just say, "thank you" for it too.

For more information:

Benefits of Adopting an Adult Cat

Benefits of Adopting a Shelter Cat

Read "How to Choose the Right Cat for You"

Search for Your New Feline Friend at the Animal League

Search for a Feline Companion in Your Area

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