Cats may not be able to speak English but they do have many other ways they can “talk”. Cats are cognitive animals; they solve problems just like any other highly developed species. Cats can and will communicate with you if you allow them. Learn what your cat’s different signals are. This will only improve the bond with your cat and keep your cat happy, it will also allow you to better read your cat’s signals so you know when your cat wants to play or just wants to be left alone!
TAILS
Tails are probably one of the best communication indicators that cats have. One can almost read every cat feeling and thought by looking at his/her tail.
• Tail arched and puffed out or bristled – your cat is scared or fearful and is ready to attack or defend itself.
The bristling is instinctual as it makes the cat look larger.
• Tail straight up in the air and fully puffed out or bristled – your cat is angered, aggressive and ready to attack.
• Straight up in the air and quivering a bit – your cat’s tail moves this way when spraying urine to mark territory; however, once you cat is spayed or neutered he/she will continue to move his/her tail this way (without any urine being excreted) when you greet him/her. This is your cats way of saying, “Hi, it’s you loving cat!”
• Tail straight up and unmoving – an unabashed greeting.
• Straight up but the tip tilted to one side – your cat is very interested and intrigued by something; your cat is happy and friendly.
• Straight up or just slightly raised and curved like a question mark – your cat is very excited and interested in something.
• Curved down and then back up again near the tip – your cat is very relaxed and content.
• Tail still but tip of tail quivering or twitching – your cat is mildly irritated. Your cat may attack if the twitching becomes violent enough.
• Swishing from side to side rapidly or violently – your cat is about to attack something, this is seen during fights and play time. This is not the same as tail wagging in dogs.
• Held to one side – your cat is giving a sexual invitation (generally only females in heat do this).
• Held low and puffed out or bristled – your cat is intensely afraid.
• Held low and tucked between the hind legs – your cat is showing his submission or defeat.
EARS
Cats’ ears are another way that a cat expresses his/her emotions.
• Ears pointing forward and slightly outward – your cat is relaxed and happy.
• Ears very straight up and forward – your cat is listening to something that is intriguing.
• Ears twitching nervously – your cat is agitated and nervous.
• Ears flat against the head – your cat is frightened and may attack (this is instinctual as to protect the ears during a fight).
• Ears back or in between alert and defensive position – you cat is aggressive and may attack.
BACK/FUR
In general a cat’s body fur remains fairly consistent; however, if you notice your cat arching his or her back and bristling you can rest assured that your cat is
frightened and on the defensive. Your cat may attack at this point.
This is a good start at understanding your feline friends. We will continue next month with more cat commmunications including meows, purrs and other behavior.