Our feline friends have a reputation for being mysterious creatures and maybe even difficult to understand. Yet the truth is that cats speak with their tails, ears, whiskers, eyes, and body postures. We are FMA Animal Hospital would like to share these signs to help you decipher what your kitty is trying to communicate.
Signs of an alert, happy cat
A happy cat seeking attention is often easy to identify, but inappropriate petting can change your cat’s mood quickly. When your feline friend is curious and interested in interaction, you’ll notice the following:
- They will hold their head high.
- Their whiskers will be held level with the sides of their mouth.
- They will hold their ears high on their head, facing forward.
- Their tail will be level with their back or high in the air with a slight curl at the tip.
Happy cats often meow to seek attention, or they purr contentedly, occasionally offering a trill or chirp to garner petting and praise.
Signs of an anxious cat
An anxious cat will remain still to better evaluate the situation without attracting attention.
- When standing, their back will be lower than their front as they slink away from a troubling situation.
- Their eyes will widen, and their pupils dilate as they remain alert for danger.
- Their ears will begin to turn out to the side, shifting lower on the head, or begin to twitch.
- They will hold their tail low to the ground and may flick it rapidly back and forth as their anxiety mounts.
Signs of an afraid cat
Cats who are afraid can become aggressive, at which point it’s easy to identify their mood. Prior to their lashing out, you may notice the following fearful indicators in your cat:
- A crouched body position that’s slightly arched, ready for a quick getaway or attack
- Dilated pupils
- Lowered ears that are turned out
- Whiskers flat against their face
- Their tail curled around her body
If the object of your cat’s fear moves closer, they will likely arch their back, raise their hair, and growl, hiss, and swat. At this point, you should back away and allow your cat to calm down.
Are you “feline” a bit confused about what your cat is trying to tell you? We can help! Contact us.