Understanding Your Cat’s Body Language

Your cat shows very clearly through body language what it really wants from you. Actually cats “talk” a lot, if you know how to read their language.

Cats use body language almost exclusively to communicate with you and others. Watch your cat’s body language, and see how it interacts with you and other family members or animals. This might help you to understand and learn how your cat is feeling or what she is trying to express. The more you watch your animal, the better you will be able to understand it.

When your cat rubs her cheeck against you or another cat means that she wants to creat a relationship and leave scent marks. These markers are called phermones and help establish the animals territorry and to maintain it.
Cats also rub to express urgency, as example a reminder that it is ready to be fed. These rubs can be gently or very insisting. At the same time rubbing or butting can be an expression for her social ranking, especially if there are more than one cat in the household.

Tail - Signals

A cat’s tail is a sure indicator of the animals mood. It is often used as a warning sign for things to come. A swishing tail shows that the cat is upset. For example, if the animal is not in the mood for petting, it will swish the tail to announce “leave me alone”. You need to understand these warning signs and pay attention to them. The next sign of discontent might be that the cat will growl or scratch. Some cats simply run away. Cats are nomally good-humored, but broad swishing of the tail definitely shows agitation and you should respect it.

A rapid movement of the tail is the next stage, a clearer warning sign. At that stage the cat is severely upset and shows it to the owner, or other cats. Sometimes the rapid tail movement can be accompanied by extending the tail upwards in a fully bristled state. This happens more when another cat is involved, and the cat might turn sideways to it’s object of annoyance.

A “puffy” tail is a sign that the cat is afraid or trying to avoid a confrontation with another cat. The dismissive sign is to tuck the tail between it’s legs.

A raised tail without the fur being bristled shows anticipation. You can see this behavior when you come home or are about to feed your animal. Some cats like to additionally rub on their owners.

Body Talk

The ears and the stance of a cat are important factors to read their body language. When your cat fluffs her fur she shows confidence and/or aggression. Straight legs are a sign of confidence also and a sign that the cat is ready to defend or attack. Bend forelegs on the other hand indicate that the animal wants to avoid fighting, but will do so if forced to. Bend hin legs are a sign of timidy. If you think that your cat is “shrinking”, with legs tucked underneath her body it is a sign of readiness and/or submission.