The body language of cats

Cats make wonderful pets, either for family or someone living alone. Understanding their body language can help you figure out what your pet is thinking.

Dedicated cat owners will tell you that their feline “babies” are expert at communicating their needs (and wants) to their owners. While cat personalities are as diverse as their color patterns, they all share certain types of body language that you can rely upon to help gauge the mood of your favorite feline.

Cats are finicky, not just in their food choices, but also in their people preferences. If they are treated well, most cats will become as attached to their human families as dogs will, and they’ll demonstrate that affection in many small ways. By being alert to the signals your pet is sending to you, you can reinforce these behaviors and create a long and satisfying relationship with your pet. Cat body language is not difficult to interpret, but here’s a little help for beginners.

Arched back – If your cat’s fur is standing on end while he’s arching his back, either something has frightened him, or he’s ready for battle. If an aggressive cat has received enough of a fright, his arched back and fluffed fur is a sign that he will attack. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that your cat won’t bite or scratch you if you try to pick him up when he’s in this mood. Instinct takes over, and he won’t be able to control his fighting impulses even though he’d never scratch or bite his human friend under normal circumstances. If you have to remove him from a dangerous situation, either throw a blanket over him before picking him up or spray him with water from a spray bottle. Do not try to handle him until he calms down. Sometimes cats, especially kittens, will arch their back and fluff their fur in play. Usually when this happens, they’ll do a little dance backwards or sideways on their toes as they try to interest a playmate to join them. An aggressive cat will growl and hiss.

Kneading – Usually accompanied by purring, kneading indicates a contented kitty. Experts say that kneading is a habit leftover from that happy time when your pet was a kitten and kneading stimulated milk flow from the mother cat. Adult cats that are heavily into kneading will sometimes accompany it with drooling and a gentle kicking action of their hind legs.

Leg rubbing – This is the primary and most common display of “I love you” that your cat can bestow upon you. Cats have sebaceous glands on their faces that secrete a distinctive smell, which is undetectable by humans. Your cat is covering you with these pheromones and marking you for her very own. It doesn’t matter if she’s rubbing against your legs or indulging in a little head butting, the process and intent are the same.

Purring – Purring usually is a sign of contentment, but it can mean other things as well. It can be used to comfort in times of stress or pain.

Eye Contact:
- Wide opened eyes show that your cat is alert and interested in his surroundings.
- If he looks directly at you with his eyes half-closed, he’s feeling lovable and wouldn’t mind being petted.
- Eyes opened only to narrow slits show he’s feeling tense about something, possibly an imminent attack from another cat.

Ear Signals:
Perked – If kitty’s ears are up or forward, she’s curious about whatever she’s looking at.
Back – Look out. She is not a happy camper.

Tail Talk:
Quivering – We had a cat once that would back up against us, bump his hip up against us, straighten his tail as high as it would go, stand still and quiver it. Some cat lovers believe this is the best display of affection that your cat can show you.

Twitching – There’s something exciting outside that window. Maybe a bird swooped in close, or a squirrel scampered by. Maybe even another cat or the neighbor’s dog had the nerve to trespass in your yard while your cat was engaged in her favorite pastime, windowsill sitting.

Swishing – Small movements can indicate excitement, similar to twitching, while broad swishing mean she’s annoyed about something. If she’s swishing her tail in an agitated manner, it’s best to leave her alone until she settles down.

Bad Kitty:
Biting – Just because your cat is lying on her back in a spot of sun on the floor doesn’t mean that she would enjoy a tummy rub. Some cats enjoy tummy rubs, but others will grab your hand with their paws and bite. Tummies are sensitive areas for cats, and if you have one that enjoys a good rub, consider it a great compliment that she trusts you with the most vulnerable part of her body.

Scratching – When your cat shreds the curtains or the living room upholstery, most likely she’s not just trying to annoy you. Scratching comes naturally to cats. It’s how they trim their claws in the wild and exercise their back muscles by stretching. Cats love to sit at windows, and often their claws will catch on the draperies. As they try to shake their paw loose, the curtain will suffer for the experience. Vertical blinds can eliminate this problem. They shed cat fur and will move to allow your pet entry to the windowsill. Providing kitty with a sisal or carpet scratch post as soon as you get her will encourage her to use that instead of your furniture when she feels the need to scratch. Some cats will, however, do things to get attention and make a game of running away before you can catch up to them. Try to be consistent and use a water spray bottle to discourage unwanted behavior.

Stalking – If you notice your pet peeking out at you from around a doorway as you walk past, be careful. You’ve been designated the prey for a game of hunting. You can expect a sneak attack from the rear as you walk down the hallway. People with mobility and balance problems need to be extra careful if they discover that their cat enjoys this type of game.

Cats are wonderful creatures and make loving family pets. With a lot of love and a little common sense, you and your cat can enjoy many happy moments together.

(Dedicated this page to Tennoo)