Cats are undeniably cute, but they’re also mysterious. If you’ve ever had a cat, you know it can sometimes be hard to tell what they want or how they’re feeling. Luckily, there’s a way to decode your feline friend’s body language so you can better understand what they’re up to. Here are the signs and symptoms of each cat behaviour:
Tense tail
When a cat has a tense tail, it’s usually a sign of aggression. However, if you observe other body language and the context in which this behaviour occurred, you may be able to determine whether your cat is feeling afraid or stressed instead. For example:
- If your cat has been sleeping but suddenly wakes up with a tense tail and ears flattened back against his head, he may be frightened by something nearby (such as another animal). The best thing to do in this case is remove him from the situation so that he can calm down without being scared anymore!
Ears back
The position of your cat’s ears is a good indicator of their mood. If they’re alert and upright, then they’re happy to see you. But if their ears are flat against the side of their head or pointing backwards? That means trouble!
In this case, “back” refers to any position where the base of the ear meets with their head–so if your kitty is giving someone or something the stink eye and has her ears pulled back tightly against her skull (like in our example above), she’s definitely not pleased with what she sees–and may even be preparing for an attack.
Stiffened body posture
If a cat’s body stiffens and its fur stands on end, it’s probably feeling threatened. A common way for cats to express this is by arching their backs and puffing out their fur. This is known as “bristling.” If you see your cat doing this, it’s best not to approach them right away–they may be scared of something or angry at what they perceive as a threat (you).If your cat bristles in response to one of your actions or words but doesn’t run away from you, then chances are good that they’re just annoyed rather than truly scared or angry with you.
Raised hackles
Raised hackles are a sign of aggression. If you see your cat’s hackles raised, it means they’re feeling threatened and want to defend themselves.
If your cat has their hackles raised and is hissing, it’s a good idea to back away slowly and give them space until they calm down.
Growl or hiss
- Growl or hiss to communicate displeasure
- Growl or hiss to communicate fear
- Growl or hiss at a stranger who is approaching you and your cat is not comfortable with the situation
- Growl or hiss when someone is petting you, but it’s too much pressure/pressure in the wrong place
- The cat may growl or hiss if they feel threatened by another animal that’s too close for comfort (this can be an issue especially if there are other cats in your home)
Puffed up fur
If your cat is puffed up, it can be a sign of aggression or fear. This is a defensive posture that says “I’m ready to fight.” If your kitty is puffed up and hissing at you, back away slowly and give him some space until he calms down.
If your cat is scared or nervous about something in particular (such as another pet), try speaking softly to him and giving him treats so that he feels safe around the other animal again–this may help get rid of his puffiness!
Learn your cat’s behaviour so that you can better communicate with each other.
- Learn your cat’s language so that you can better communicate with each other.
- Learn how to interpret your cat’s body language, and how to respond to it appropriately.
- Use this knowledge when communicating with your own cats or others’ cats in a way that makes them feel safe and secure in the world around them
You’re not just a cat owner, you’re a cat friend. And as such, it’s your responsibility to learn how to communicate with your feline companion. By understanding his body language and what he means when he uses it, you can better understand each other and build a stronger relationship between the two of you.
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