Cat Body Language: Become a Cat Whisperer

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Cats are curious creatures. For humans, connecting the dots between their behaviors and the inner thoughts driving them can feel like putting together a 1,000-piece puzzle.

Like humans, cats experience a spectrum of emotions from contentment to stress, happiness to anger. And, like us, cats will communicate their feelings through subtle physical clues rather than simply vocalizations. This ears-to-tail guide will walk you through the various postures and positions a cat may use to express themselves.

The importance of reading body language

Communicating with a cat can feel tricky. They can’t use their words to tell you that they’re sick (and are famously good at hiding illness) or that their current diet isn’t agreeing with them.

It’s up to us to play detective, and a cat’s body language may reveal critical (but subtle) clues through their eyes, tail, ears, and posture.

They may use body language to let you know that they are:

Happy
Playful
Bored
Anxious
Angry
Sick

Figuring out what our cat is communicating can help strengthen our bonds with our feline friends and avoid heartache. While many pet parents set out to provide their kitties with forever homes, behavioral issues may arise and have sad consequences for everyone.

For instance, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine cites research suggesting that about one-third of cats surrendered for behavioral issues are given up because of aggression. Other behavioral concerns like scratching could indicate stress, not spite.

Decoding body language can provide perspective on a cat struggling physically or emotionally. For instance, you might realize your kitty is struggling to adapt to life with a newborn human sibling, and a little cuddle time during the new baby’s naptime might be all they need.

Understanding your cat’s body language can also be vital for flagging concerns with the vet about their overall health. Sometimes, quick medical treatment can lead to the healthiest outcomes for your furry family member.

An emotion-by-emotion guide to decoding feline body language

Happy

You can tell when your feline friend is in a good headspace, both physically and mentally, when they have:

Upright, forward ears
Partially closed eyes
Dilated pupils
Their tail curled up, relaxed, neutral, or down

Playful

Kittens are known for having playful demeanors, but cats of all ages enjoy a romp with their favorite toy. These signs may suggest your cat is in the mood to play:

Upright, forward ears
Dilated pupils
Wide eyes
A “wagging” tail (side-to-side tail flicks) or wiggling backside
A crouched stance (“play bowing”)
Standing on their back legs
Batting at or scratching something

Relaxed

Ideally, cats spend much of their days relaxed and content because they find the “status quo” pretty great (including your job performance as a parent). Some signs you’re acing this thing are:

Neutral ears
Closed or half-closed eyes
Tail upright
Closed mouth
Lying in a ball, on their back (belly exposed), or on their stomachs with front paws underneath

This image features three simple, cartoon-like illustrations of a yellow cat against a peach-colored background. Each cat is in a different position to represent different moods:

Playful: The cat is stretching forward with its front legs extended and its back arched. Its tail is curved upward, and the cat appears alert, showing energy and playfulness.

Happy: The cat is standing with its tail curled in a high arch, its eyes closed, and its face relaxed, indicating a content and happy mood.

Relaxed: The cat is curled into a ball with its tail wrapped around its body, eyes closed, and a peaceful expression, suggesting relaxation and calmness.

Each pose is labeled accordingly beneath the cat to describe its emotional state.

Scared or stressed

Even typically content cats can become frightened by a loud noise or the sight of a large, unfamiliar animal (even if a window protects them). Recognizing the signs that your cat is scared can help you calm your furry friend. Cats express fear with:

Backward or sideways (“airplane”) ears
Wide eyes with dilated pupils
A lowered tail or positioned one that is tightly around the body
Low crouches or scrunched-up bodies
Little movement or slow walking in a low crouch away from the source of fear

Angry

Angry cats can act “aggressively” by biting or swiping. However, reading your cat’s body language can help stop it from happening in the first place. Angry cat cues include:

Tucked back, down ears
Constricted pupils
Tail flicking or thrashing
Arched back, head down
“Hackles” up (fur standing up on their back)
Batting

Sick or in pain

Cats can try to be brave when they’re sick or in pain, but their body language may tell a different tale. Understanding these signs can be life-saving and changing. They include:

Ears down or to the side
Squinted or closed eyes
Eye contact avoidance
Tail tucked in tightly or hidden under their body
Weak or hunched posture
Difficulty walking

This image features three cartoon-like yellow cats set against a peach-colored background, each representing different moods:

Sick: The cat is curled into a tight ball, with its head tucked down and its body compact. Its eyes are closed, and it appears to be lethargic, suggesting illness or discomfort.

Scared: The cat is crouching low to the ground, its body tense and tail close to the ground. The cat's eyes are closed, indicating fear or nervousness.

Angry: The cat is standing with its back arched and tail raised in the air. Its front paw is lifted, and lines above its tail indicate it is lashing. The cat's expression suggests anger or aggression.

Each pose is labeled beneath the cat to describe the emotional state.

How to read and respond to your cat’s body language

You may have noticed that some cues apply to both positive and “negative” feelings. For instance, a cat’s pupils may be dilated if they’re excited to play or highly stressed. These overlaps can make becoming a cat whisperer a little more complicated. Here are a few tips to help you differentiate between those similarities.

Consider context.
Is there a reason your cat might be stressed, such as a recent change to your work schedule? Perhaps you’ve just reached for their human-grade food, and their eyes widened with happy excitement. Understanding a cat’s surroundings and situation can explain why they display particular body language.

Observe other behaviors and sounds.
Cats may rub against you to show affection (happy) or mark territory (stressed/angry). They can meow if they’re hungry, ill, or want to play. Combining context clues, vocalizations, and other behaviors with body language may help you determine what’s up with your cat.

Don’t put too much stock on facial expressions.
The Humane Society of the United States explains that cats are less expressive in their faces than dogs, making the skill of reading their body language even more important.

Mirror their communication.
If the behavior — like slow blinking – indicates a cat is happy and content, consider mimicking it. The slow, closed eyes can show a cat you’re happy with them, too.

Give them space.
You may want to snuggle, and your cat may be craving personal space. If Kitty displays signs of irritation, it’s best to take a hint and back off—you’d hope for the same.

Call your vet.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) stresses the importance of working with a veterinarian if you are concerned about aggressive or irritable behavior in your cats. It can be a sign of a medical issue, including pain and neurological disorders.

Consider their diet.
Diet can contribute to behavioral and health concerns, which your cat might flag with body language. Your pet’s veterinarian can offer useful tips and insights to help get to the root of and treat your cat’s condition, such as through a gently cooked diet, which will hopefully help improve their mood and associated behaviors.

Talk to a behaviorist.
Sometimes, we need a little more help to become proficient in kitty body language. The ASPCA suggests finding a certified applied animal behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB) or board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB) in your area for additional help. Your pet’s vet may be able to provide a reference.

Once you determine how your cat is feeling, you can take the proper next steps. For instance, you could add extra play time to your day if your cat jumps for joy when you break out their favorite wand. Alternatively, you may speak to your vet about switching your pet’s diet if you notice stress cues around meal times and no underlying health conditions. As always, talking to your pet’s veterinarian can ensure a cat is physically well and help them get on the mend if they are not.

FAQs: Frequently asked questions about cat body language

How can you tell if your cat loves you?

Cats who are happy and content with their situation — including human caregivers — may purr and slow-blink at you. They may be so relaxed that they show you their belly — just be careful about petting it. Unlike dogs, cats don’t usually like a belly rub. Understanding cues that your cat is upset can help you determine whether your cat is enjoying being petted in a particular spot.

What are the signals of a cat's body language?

Cats communicate with their eyes, ears, mouth, tail, and posture. For instance, cats with dilated pupils may be excited or stressed. An arched back with raised hackles may indicate an angry cat, while slow-blinking and neutral ears may suggest a content kitty. Reading your cat’s cues can help strengthen your bond and protect them from physical or emotional harm (or find them care if they’re experiencing either).

What is the body language of a stressed cat?

Stressed or scared cats may be wide-eyed and have pinned-back or sideways ears. While their eyes may be big, scared cats often try to protect themselves by appearing “smaller.” The pet may assume a low crouch or slowly walk away from whatever or whoever is triggering them. Often, their tails are tightly wrapped around their body. Determining the source of stress can help you take useful actions, such as moving a window perch so they can’t see a neighbor’s new dog.