Do You Speak Cat?

Today is International Hug Your Cat Day. No matter what language you speak all cats generally speak the same international language of Cat.

While each cat has its own individual disposition and temperament, when it comes to body language, all cats communicate in essentially the same way! When you know what to look for, learning to interpret their message is not that difficult! As you become familiar with cat body language you will find a deeper bond develop between you and your cat.

Let's start with a test: if you want to show your cat that you trust them and you are non-threatening, slowly squint yours eyes and keep them half closed and don’t be surprised if they reciprocate. Staring at a cat can be interpreted by your cat as threatening.

Lesson 1: Cats don’t speak Dog

The first lesson in understanding cats is to recognize that cat and dog body language can means different things.

Yes, they do similar things, both can sway or wag their tail and show you their bellies but can mean very different things. If your dog wags his tail and shows you his belly it can mean he is happy and wants a good old belly rub. If a cat sways its tail or shows you its belly it means that it is nervous or that it trusts you but doesn’t necessarily want you to rub his or her belly.

Lesson 2: Learning the Body Language of Cats

From their ears to their tails cats communicate in the following ways.

Cat Tail Language

A cat’s tail can be very expressive and is a good indicator of the way they are feeling.

1. Friendly, safe, confident, comfortable, and affectionate it will be held:

  • Loose or straight up, but not stiff
  • Quivering
  • Straight out as if continuing from its body, but not stiff

 2. Friendly, but it's not comfortable your cat will hold its tail:

  • Up, but hooked

3. Scared, unhappy or feeling threatened your cat will have its tail:

  • Half tucked between its hind legs

4. Alert, curious, interested your cat will move its tail:

  • Swishing slowly and gently from side to side

5. Interested in something they see or is starting to feel some aggression your cat will have a tail that is:

  • Twitching at the tip

6. Excited, but could also be angry, agitated or annoyed your cat will have a tail that is:

  • Lashing side to side in a fast, aggressive way

7. Becoming aggressive your cat will hold its tail:

  • Stiff and held down and out from its body

8. Angry or scared will have its tail:

  •  Bristled and held straight up

Cat Ear Language

A cat’s ears can provide a good visual indicator of their mood.

1. Relaxed

  • Ears forward and up

2.  Interested, animal is listening

  • Ears swiveling back and forth

3.  Becoming agitated

  • Ears are turned back a bit or have turned sideways

4.  Frightened, defensive, angry, aggressive

  • Ears pinned flat back against the head

Cat Head Language

The meaning of the way a cat holds its head depends upon the cat’s circumstances at the moment. For example:

1.  A raised head means either:

  • The cat is happy, confident, or feeling curious, your Cat's ears  will usually be pricked up
  • The cat is in an aggressive situation where it feels it has to show dominance, the ears will be turned back in order to protect them

2.  A lowered head could mean either:

  •  The cat is sleepy, content or bored
  •  The cat is in a situation where it now needs to show submission

Cat Whisker Language

Whiskers can be used to measure their mood. For instance, whiskers that are:

• Held forward on its face are a sign the animal is feeling relaxed, happy, or curious

• Whiskers that are pulled back are a sign the animal is feeling aggressive or defensive

Cat Eye Language

Cats use their eyes to try to send a message. For instance:

1.Staring, with wide eyes

  • Used to intimidate
  • Usually observed before and during the time a cat attacks or is in a fight

2.  Narrow, with slowly blinking eyes

  • Sending a message of happiness and of trust

Cat Body Language

A cat will use its body in ways that are intended to show affection and trust, for example:

1.Kneading

  •  Show of comfort and contentment

2.  Rubbing against its human’s legs

  • Marking his territory by leaving his scent on you

3.  Rolling onto its back

  • Being submissive, showing trust

4.  An arched back can mean different things depending on the age of the cat.

• To a kitten, this is an invitation to play fight

• To an adult, this usually is an indication that a real fight is going to happen

Other body language signs help to interpret the stance. For example, if the cat is going to fight, its ears will be turned back, the hair on its back and tail will be standing on end, and it will have wide eyes.

I sometimes feel the difference between cat and dog lovers is that they just don’t speak the same language and often attempt to use the wrong language on the wrong species of pet. Doing so can get you some interesting situations.

Hopefully this blog will help us all speak and understand Cat language a little better and begin to better understand these amazing and unique creatures.

To your pet's good health,

Dr. Barry

Sources: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips/cat_communication.html#Body_language http://pets.webmd.com/cats/features/cat-body-language