Reading The Body Language Of Cats

There are famous Horse and dog Whisperers but no one has really claims on being a  Cat Whisperer.  Is that because Cats are very complexed animals, difficult to understand and quite frustrating at times?  Is it that they do not feel the need to talk to us whenever we think they should?  There is a quote "dogs come when they're called, cats take a message and get back to you later" by Mary Bly and it is so true.  They tell us when they are hungry, want out, want loving, ready to play or want to be left alone.  They give us that "look" and would roll their eyes if they could.    However, there are some basic body indicators that will make it easier to understand your cats behaviour.   Here are some of these indicators:

Your cat's tail is a great indicator of its feelings and mood. When the tail is held straight up, indicates that he is happy and feeling relaxed. The higher the tail is held, the happier your cat is. So if your cat greets you with a high tail,  you can be assured that he is in a very good mood and happy to see you.

A cat's tail  half-raised is a strong indication that he is feeling a bit scared or fearful for some reason.  It indicates that he is cautious, not sure.  Is there a stranger with you, or do you have an item that he is not use to or seen before?  A cat's tail hanging  low indicate that he is scared, frighten or ill.  When a cat is angry, his tail will appear very fluffed because he is making himself appear much stronger and larger to outside threats like an unknown dog. When your cat is being playful, his tail will often twitch.

An extremely agitated cat lashes his tail back and forth in a rapid motion. This is often noticed when your cat is ready to attack another cat or what he perceives as threats.

Cat's ears are another indicator of communication. Held upright and in a forward position,  means that he is feeling happy and relaxed.  Ears  positioned extremely upright means that he is attentive and maybe trying  to hear something.  Unhappy cats hold ears somewhat back.  Angry cats pin their ears back.  This indicates aggression and a readiness to attack.  Cats that twitch their ears are unsure and perhaps nervous.

A Cats eyes will also tell you lots.  Eyes that blink or wink alot indicates a happy, relaxed cat.  An angry or aggressive cat will make direct eye contact.  A frightened cat will have dilated pupils,  A sick cat may have half closed eyes with exposed third eyelids (nictitating membranes that come up over the lower inside portion of the cat's eyes). 

Other signs are: purring-happy cat or a very sick cat that is comforting itself.  Whiskers fanned out straight from  face-happy, relaxed.  Whiskers back-frightened.  Hissing and growling, body low to the ground-upset, angry, scared.    Hair on back standing up (piloerection)-frightened although kittens playing will sometimes pose the pretend attacks and make themselves look fearless.  A sick cat may hunch her back, tuck tail between legs, have droopy ears and whiskers.

By watching cats, one becomes familiar with their body languages, expressions, moods etc. These are just some of the body signs that help to understand the behavior or mood of your cat or if you are dealing with other strange cats.

Understanding cats is the key to having a better relationship with them.
There is great resources on cats and kittens  as to care, health, behavior, training, products and supplies plus good general information.