Understanding Your Cat’s Body Language: What Your Cat is Trying to Tell You

As much as it would make life easier, our feline companions cannot use words to express how they feel. They instead must rely on body language to communicate, and it’s our job as their owners to interpret their physical cues. 

Whether they’re anxious or happy, confident or fearful, cats use different parts of their bodies to show us what they are thinking and feeling. There are several key indicators which help us differentiate between our feline friends’ emotions and behaviours: eyes, ears, body/posture and tail.

This guide will review common cat emotions and the different key indicators to look out for. The better we understand our cat’s body language, the better we can be attuned to their needs and wants. 

Eyes

Cats’ eyes, like humans, are very expressive and can tell us a lot about their emotional state. The changes in both their eye and pupil shape directly communicate to us whether a cat is happy or stressed, in pain or afraid.

When cats are happy, relaxed or at ease, their eyes are rounded or partially closed, with pupils narrowed. If your cat is blinking slowly, it means they are comfortable around you and trust you.

Dilated pupils can indicate that the cat is experiencing positive or negative stimulation, so it’s important to consider eye shape in relation to other signs. When a cat is feeling playful, their eyes will be wide and pupils dilated. On the other hand, if a cat is experiencing fear or stress, or has become aggressive, their eyes can be wide and pupils dilated as well. 

Depending on the stressor, a cat’s eye can also be narrow or squinting when stressed out. Squinting or closed eyes can also indicate a cat is in pain or sick.

Ears

Cats’ ears can change positions in subtle ways to indicate different emotions. If a cat’s ears are facing forward, upright and positioned slightly outwards, their ears are in a neutral position.  This is indicative of a relaxed, happy and confident cat. When a cat is in a playful mood, their ears are just forward and upright, as they are alert and engaged.

When cats' ears are angled backwards and swiveled sideways, they are expressing discomfort or fear. These are often referred to as ‘airplane ears’. If your cat’s ears are in this position, they are telling you they are stressed, uncomfortable or scared.

Positioned slightly differently to a stressed cat, a sick or injured cat’s ears are held low and facing out. Cats tend to hide if they are injured, so the ears are a good indicator of illness or injury. If a cat's ears are completely flat against their heads, then they are in an aggressive mood and may begin to show defensive behaviour. 

Body/Posture

Cats’ body positions and their postures, when considered with other indicators, can tell us how they are feeling. Our feline friends demonstrate their emotions by keeping themselves high or low to the ground.

When cats are happy, their postures are loose and relaxed, often stretched out to expose their bellies if they are lying on the ground. While in motion, cats will move with confidence and purpose, keeping their heads high. They will also encourage your affections by facing your body towards you as they approach. 

Alternatively, if a cat is standing tall, with their backs arched and fur standing up, they are feeling aggressive. By assuming this position, they are making themselves look bigger and more of a threat, with their paws ready to swat. Aggression may also be accompanied by growling or hissing.

On the other end of body positions, when a cat is low to the ground, it can signify different emotions. When cats are feeling playful, they will slip into their hunter instincts, crouching low to the ground, ready to pounce. 

Cats can also behave like prey when they are afraid, crouching low to the ground, scrunching up their bodies to make themselves look smaller. A cat will similarly crouch low to the ground when stressed, keeping their muscles tensed and posture stiff. If a cat is sick or injured, it will often curl itself into a ball, keeping its posture tense and hunched to protect itself. 

Tail

A cat’s tail is a mood barometer, with its movement and positions acting as one of the first indicators we should look for to recognize their emotions.

A happy cat’s tail is pointed upright, with a slight curl at the end or quivering in excitement. If a cat is feeling playful, their tails will behave similarly. However, their hunter instincts may kick in and their tails will flick back and forth. If a cat’s tail is flicking quickly or thrashing, then the cat is becoming aggressive.

As a protective measure, whenever a cat is feeling stressed, afraid, sick or in pain, their tails will be held close to their bodies, often tucked away or even wrapped tightly underneath their bodies. 

While all these indicators are good ways to let us know how our cats are feeling, it’s important to look at the context of the situation your cat is in to help discern their mood. If they are feeling afraid or aggressive, remember to give them space and remove any stressor in their environment.

Learning the indicators of your cat’s moods and how they may react to certain situations will help you and your feline friend build a stronger bond and ensure you are always looking after their well-being.

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Note: This blog provides a general overview of cats’ behaviours and body language. For a more comprehensive guide, you can check out PetMD. Always consult your veterinarian for personalized advice to ensure your cat remains healthy and comfortable.

References

Gerken, Alison. “How to Read a Cat’s Body Language.” PetMD, 8 May, 2023, https://www.petmd.com/cat/behavior/cat-body-language 

Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “The Tales Your Cat’s Tail Tells.” Hill’s Pet Nutrition, 29 Nov. 2021,  https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/behavior-appearance/cat-tail-language 

O’Brien, Christine. “Cat Ear Emotions: How Cat Ears Move With Their Mood.” Hill’s Pet Nutrition, 13 July, 2020,  https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/behavior-appearance/cat-ear-language?lightboxfired=true# 

tuft + paw. “The Definitive Guide to Cat Behaviour and Body Language.” tuft + paw, 2024, https://www.tuftandpaw.com/en-ca/blogs/cat-guides/the-definitive-guide-to-cat-behavior-and-body-language?srsltid=AfmBOorsqV9JQUjaZVGfyeZZeeOf82fhrmiVmINw0LCjWhFwieEvy_2w.