Mary Allen
Cats are very sensitive and willful animals. Therefore, the basis of a friendship with your cat is your understanding of his behaviors. When does your kitty expect attention and how does she show you that she wants to be left alone? We give you a first insight into cat language. With these instructions, you will quickly learn what to look out for with your house cat in everyday life.
The Tail as a Guide Through Your Cat’s Emotional World
The tail is of central importance for understanding the current condition of your house tiger. His posture reveals from a distance how your cat is doing. When you come home and your kitty is waiting for you, the tail is erect and the tip is slightly bent. The raised tail is a sure sign that the cat feels safe, is curious, and might even want to cuddle you. A horizontally stretched tail is just as much a declaration of love as the typical cat’s hump. This is a sign that you are recognized as a friend.
If the cat then lies on its back, it is obvious that it expects you to be petted. An excited tail movement, on the other hand, is not a sign of joyful excitement like in a dog, but an indication of nervousness and restlessness. If only the tip of the tail bobs back and forth, then the cat is at attention. The situation is different when the kitty has to clarify the hierarchy in relation to other cats. Then your cat puts its tail up straight and the tail hairs stand up. This makes the tail look bushy and imposing. This is how the competition can be impressive. In this situation, you should stay away from the four-legged friends and let them clear the hierarchy. If the tail is slanting downwards, the cat is ready to attack. If, on the other hand, one of the two pulls in its tail, this is a sign of inferiority.
Since the different body signals of the house tiger only give an overall picture, the sign language of the tail position can be supplemented with other forms of body expression.
Sensitive Reaction to the Environment: the Ears
Your kitty’s ears register every sound. If your house tiger is on the alert, its ears point upwards. If the pinnae move forward and sideways, then the cat is highly concentrated and wants to localize a sound. In this state, your house cat does not want to be disturbed. On the other hand, if the ears lie flat during a fight with a fellow cat, then the cat wants to protect its ears. In combination with the tucked-in tail, the laid-back ears signal the submission of the weaker cat.
Cat Language Through Looks
Your cat is lying on the sofa and her eyes follow you around the room. Such a situation is familiar to many cat lovers. Is your kitty watching you carefully and perhaps using other body signals to signal that you are welcome to sit down with her? If the cat blinks slowly at you, it’s very close to a human smile. You’re more than welcome to return her blink. Just make sure that you talk to your cat lovingly, don’t stare at them for too long. Direct eye contact puts pressure on your cat, as staring with your pupils narrowed is considered a gesture of dominance in cat-speak and is meant to intimidate the other into avoiding a fight.
Your Kitty’s Facial Expressions
Your cat’s repertoire of expressions isn’t as sophisticated as human facial expressions, but you can still read their current state of mind on their face. A relaxed upper lip, half-closed eyes, and slightly flared whiskers signal that the cat is comfortable and that everything is fine. On the other hand, if the cat’s whiskers spread, giving the impression that the cat has chubby cheeks, then it is excited. Not only the whiskers but also the ears are set to receive in this situation and the cat reacts very sensitively to any change in its environment. On the other hand, if the whiskers are close to the face and the lips are pulled together in a thin line, then your kitty is afraid or suspicious. The more pointed the face appears, the more emotional your cat reacts. Also, pay attention to their eyes, they shine brightly and constantly observe their surroundings.
Loving Cooing and Angry Screeching: the Sounds of a Cat
A cat’s contented purr is the proverbial sign that a cat is happy. The kittens already learn the noise from their mother, who purrs to calm the little ones. From the sixth day of life, the kittens themselves react with a soft purr when they are content and happy. But this is by no means the only phonetic expression in cat language. The spectrum ranges from a purr to a dangerous growl, hiss, or a screeching scream. Cats make growling noises when they are angry or agitated. If your kitty is making growling noises, that can also be a warning. If this happens, leave her alone and don’t try to placate her. An attack is often announced with a hiss. A bite on the hand or calf from your angry kitty can be very uncomfortable. If, on the other hand, a kitty screeches in the highest tones, then your help is needed. In this case, she is in pain or in an emergency from which she cannot extricate herself. In this situation, approach your cat calmly and slowly and signal that you want to help. Even when she’s suffering, the kitty can quickly extend her claws to protect herself.
On the other hand, if you have left your cat alone for too long, it will greet you with a reproachful meow. Many kitties become divas in such a situation and initially ignore you to show you that you broke their rules. On the other hand, if two cats are actually cooing at each other, then this is a form of love whispering that can also be given to you.
Learn to listen to the cat language, then you will understand very quickly what expectations your kitty has of you. House tigers usually use a small change in pitch to express when their mood changes or when you are not showing the behavior you want.