Cats are like humans, expressing themselves through body language.
Pay attention to the different body parts to understand them better.
Importance of knowing a cat’s body language:
- Able to understand what their message is and avoid unwelcome circumstances
- Bond between you and your cats
- Prevent unnecessary aggression
- Cats are very different from dogs
1. Eye
Cat doing slow blink – trust, affection
Return communicate with a slow blink – acknowledge them, aware of them, no thread
Direct stare – threatening
Pupil size expand – fear, alertness
Pupil size narrow and constricted – angry cat
2. Ear
High and erect – alert
Forward – calm and confident
Flattened – fearful and angry
3. Body
Lay down on their tummy, relax
Tummy display – do not play or rub their tummy like dogs
They might feel concern and trapped, then will follow extended claw and teeth
Crouched down body – fear and anxiety, ready to flee
Relax stretch vs frighten stretch
4. Tail
Held high – confident
Curl around you or your hand and leg – friendly
Tug between leg – anxious and insecure
Flicking – agitated, high alert
Dilated pupils, low flicking tail, and flattened ears, your cat is telling you, in the only way it can, to back off.