Mary Allen
If you want to understand your cat correctly, you shouldn’t try to humanize the animal. Although today’s domestic cat has strongly adapted to humans, many forms of expression still go back to the original behavioral patterns of their wild ancestors. They can therefore often be misinterpreted.
Key Stimulus – What is It?
One speaks of key stimuli when the triggers of innate behavior that are specific to an animal species are meant. In cats, a typical example is prey capture. The animals do not have to first learn the processes that are part of a successful hunt. They are thereby nature. The quiet movement sounds of a mouse immediately grab attention. The cat automatically locates, tracks, and grabs its prey. The young cat has to gradually learn the targeted bite with which an experienced cat kills its prey. From birth, the kittens even have a bite inhibition, which they have to overcome on their own. The strong competition between the siblings helps them, but also the pronounced food envy among themselves.
If something goes wrong in the hunt for prey or in the competition, it can quickly become dangerous.
Cat’s Display Behavior
If a cat encounters a conspecific or other intruder in its own territory, it will not always attack immediately. Most of the time she tries to intimidate the other person with her behavior and to drive them away in this way. The cat adopts a posture that makes it appear larger and stronger than it actually is. The famous “cat hump” is an example of show-off behavior. From a frontal perspective, the silhouette of the cat appears significantly larger and therefore more menacing. The effect is reinforced by their ruffled fur. Cats four to five weeks old have mastered the deterrent technique of “cat hump”.
Why Is It Great to Understand the Cat?
The good news first: Cats are able to adapt their speech to humans in such a way that the animal’s signals are easy for their owners to understand. Cats communicate with their fellow cats mainly through scents and body language. When making contact with humans, on the other hand, they prefer to use sounds. In this way, she is more likely to get the attention of the person addressed and can make her wishes and problems known more easily. The bad news is that cats develop very different idiosyncrasies when it comes to communication. So there is not one universal cat language that allows every animal to be understood right from the start. The cat’s noise itself can also differ greatly from animal to animal in terms of sound and volume. This also shows the wide range of character traits found in cats.
When a cat has grown up in the immediate vicinity of people, they often specifically seek their closeness and support. The familiar person is welcomed and contacted directly with all problems and requests. It is therefore important for the cat owner to interpret the signals correctly. Hunger, fear, pain, or possibly even a serious illness could be behind the animal’s “cry for help”. Quick understanding for quick assistance is important here. If in doubt, you should always go to the vet. Possible high costs of veterinary treatment can be cushioned by cat health insurance. In this way, you can also financially ensure comprehensive health care for your cat. Intensive communication with its people is crucial for the well-being and balanced social life of the cat. It is not uncommon for her to be perceived as a full member of the family.
Cat Body Language
Many forms of a domestic cat’s body language are immediately understandable. If their fur is bristling and their backs are hunched, they are either scared or want to drive away someone they perceive as a threat by showing off. Even people who don’t have a cat know that. And when the cat yawns, it is immediately clear that it is tired. But this is where the peculiarities of cat behavior begin. Yawning is often a clear sign of well-being and an expression of deeply felt security. When the cat tries to nudge us with its nose, it means more than a simple tap to get attention. Rather, it is a sign of trust and friendship. The cat’s nose is very sensitive. She would never stretch out this vulnerable part of her body towards a threatening creature.
A cat’s tail wag is by no means synonymous with the happy tail wagging exhibited by a dog. Rather, it is not a good sign and indicates nervousness, inner excitement, or indecisiveness. A bristling tail is even a signal to attack. Incidentally, the real reason for the widespread hostility between cats and dogs is suspected in the very different forms of expression. The fact that the two animal species do not get along well can therefore be taken quite literally and provides a plausible explanation. On the other hand, the cat, like the dog, is capable of learning. If they grow up together and can get to know their peculiarities extensively, living together is usually harmonious. Cat and dog can become friends.
The body language of cats is also characterized by their highly developed motor skills and impressive body control. Climbing, balancing, and jumping are no significant challenges for a healthy animal. However, if a house cat conspicuously avoids certain movements and often withdraws to a quiet place, an illness may be behind it. If the cat shows such behavior, an appointment with the vet should be made. Some illnesses can also be read directly from the external appearance of the cat. If the coat looks shaggy and lackluster, this can have health reasons.
The Body Language of the Head
Cats have their own facial expressions. The position of the head and the facial expression are a signal to the environment and also give a reliable impression of their current condition. Familiar blinks with half-closed eyes and a snuggle of the head are clearly friendly gestures and a sign of the utmost sympathy. Continued staring can indicate great interest, but it can also be a warning: don’t get too close. Showing your teeth is usually meant as a threat. An elongated neck, on the other hand, is a sign of great curiosity coupled with cautious respect.
What Can a Cat’s Eyes Reveal?
If the cat stares at us with large pupils and wide-open eyes, this speaks for its great interest and curiosity. However, if the pupils are constricted, staring is to be understood as an unmistakable threat. This is especially true if there is hissing and the ears are laid back. Confidential blinking of the eyes, on the other hand, is a sign of friendly accommodation and the search for closeness.
Interpret the Different Positions of the Cat’s Ears Correctly
A cat’s ears are versatile signal transmitters to the outside world. The cat has 32 muscles to rotate its ears in all directions and put them in different positions. If both ears point upwards, everything is fine. The cat is relaxed. If only one ear is turned slightly to the side, this can indicate certain insecurity. If both ears are turned to the side, this is a sign of irritation or anger. If the ears are also flattened, this is an indication of readiness for defense. If a cat is afraid, the ear position is the same. If the ears are laid flat back, she threatens to attack immediately.
The Body Language of the Tail
The cat uses its tail to keep its balance during difficult movement sequences and to be able to take countermeasures when jumping. But the cat’s tail is also a highly developed tool for signal transmission and a reliable indicator of all kinds of moods: A vertical tail can be understood as a friendly greeting. The cat seeks closeness and usually snuggles up to the human’s legs immediately afterward. If the erect tail trembles perceptibly, then it signals joyful excitement. When the tip of the tail is up and the tail is hanging down, the cat is relaxed and content. If the tail rises slightly and takes the form of a question mark, the mood is good and the cat is full of energy. If the tail follows a continuous circular shape, this shows curiosity and attention. A tail held horizontally means, “Do not disturb.” If the cat has laid its tail on the side, this indicates embarrassment. In the case of a female animal, however, it could also be a sign that the cat is in heat. A lowered and the ruffled tail represents fear and a willingness to attack. If the tail twitches left and right, the cat is either very excited or completely unsure. If the cat tucks its tail between its hind legs, this indicates that it was mistreated or oppressed by other cats. But pain or illnesses also lead to this pathetic attitude. A tail held high and the tip of the tail held out is a sign of anger.
Other Signals Cats Give Through Their Bodies
Scientists have calculated that a house cat has a repertoire of up to 75 different postures with which it can express moods or send signals. These messages are not always immediately understandable for us. If the cat presents its belly, it is not a gesture of humility or a sign of submission, as it is with a dog. On the contrary, in this position, the cat assumes an extremely effective defensive position. All four paws are ready to strike with claws extended. Intuitively correct, as a gesture of trust, is understood by most people when the cat approaches with a bowed head and rubs its head devotedly on the human. The scent glands on the sides of the head help the loved one to smell the cat. The familiar scent also strengthens the feeling of close bonding. The cleaning of their humans with tongue and paw has the same function. This is less about personal hygiene and more about intensifying and strengthening the bond with the caregiver.
Cat Sounds
Cats hardly ever communicate with each other through sounds, but almost exclusively through body language and scents. One of the few exceptions is communication between the mother cat and her kittens. This may be due to the fact that kittens are initially blind after birth. Cats prefer to use sounds to communicate with humans. In the thousands of years of domestication, a varied cat language has developed. We hear the familiar meowing because the cat has learned that we are particularly sensitive to this sound. Actually, this sound only belongs to the behavior of kittens and disappears with adulthood.
Meow, Purr, Howl
Domestic cats use sounds almost exclusively to communicate with humans. If the cat purrs, you are glad that it is doing well. In rare cases, cats also purr when they are sick, injured, or stressed. Then, however, the purr is not aimed at humans but rather serves to calm themselves down and reduce stress. On the other hand, the message is clear if your cat hisses or growls. This signal is not only immediately understood by humans, but also by other animal species and their own species. Basically, the meowing of the cat means: “Man, I want something from you.” The cat varies the sound to very different messages. A short tone represents a friendly greeting. Protracted mewing is more likely to indicate the great need, such as severe hunger or an urgent desire to have a closed-door opened. The invitation to play is also announced by an encouraging meow. If your cat stresses the first syllable of “meow,” it indicates that she is frightened and intimidated. Chattering and cackling go back to the hunting behavior and can be interpreted in such a way that the cat is extremely concentrated. The so-called “slapping” is a rising screech towards the end that the cat emits when attacking. Cooing is a throaty sound your cat uses to make friendly contact. Chirping and chirping are lure calls that cats primarily use to summon their own offspring. The howling, reminiscent of babies, is not aimed at humans, but at possible sexual partners in the area during the mating season.
The Scent Language
Cats can smell what’s going on in their fellow cats. They therefore also use scents specifically for communication. Not just to mark out territorial boundaries. The markings themselves tell the other house cats a lot about the condition of the person responsible. For example, whether they are dominant, scared, fertile, or pregnant. Cats also learn a lot about their fellow cats by sniffing each other. Scent glands on the head, back, and base of the tail give important messages to the other cats. Sensitive receptors behind the incisors, on the tongue, and in the nose allow the different scents to be read. This information is naturally closed to people. But the cat includes it in its scent language. Rubbing the head against the loved one will infuse them with the familiar scent from the glands on the temples. In this way, the cat strengthens its sense of togetherness and accepts people as family members.
Can Cats Understand Humans?
Cats are intelligent animals. They observe people very closely and learn how they react to their own vocalizations, for example. After that, they continue to optimize their cat language until any obstacles in communication are eliminated. Because cats act very success-oriented and are strongly fixed on humans. Even if it doesn’t seem like that to many cat owners in every situation. Smooth communication with people is an elementary part of their services of general interest. The cat learns from its experiences and can even modify its innate behavior to meet the needs of human contact. In this respect, cats are less concerned with understanding people. Rather, their goal is to steer people according to their own needs.
How Do I Properly Communicate With My Cat?
Species-appropriate husbandry of the cat includes a well-founded knowledge of the natural needs and demands of the pet. The cat appears to many people as a loner, but in the domestic environment, it is a very social creature. Her strong bond with humans is sometimes underestimated. Without his attention, the cat suffers greatly and can become behavioral problems in the long run. It also needs intensive interaction with humans because, as an intelligent animal, it would otherwise be under-challenged and bored.
A cat is very fixated on its own territory. A change of location in a strange environment unsettles the animal. For example, many cat owners are surprised when their cat keeps asking them to open the door, only to then immediately return to the previous room. Here, however, she only follows her natural instinct to constantly keep all areas of “her” territory under precise control. Cats have a distinctive character. Nevertheless, they can also be led and educated to a certain extent. Good results bring the principle of positive reinforcement of the desired behavior. A small treat at the right time leads to the goal faster than any punishment.
FAQs About Cat Language and Cat Behavior
Why do cats wiggle their abdomen before attacking?
Eyes wide open, face fixed on the target, whole body intense calm, only the cat’s abdomen gently sways back and forth. This feline behavior usually precedes a long-jump or a well-aimed attack. The cat sets its sights on its target and uses concentrated left-right movements to balance the secure position of its paws for the jump. Especially when playing, your cat shows this conspicuous movement pattern, which originally comes from hunting behavior.
Why do cats groom their humans?
Grooming each other’s fur is part of normal cat behavior as a sign of close affinity in the group. In this social behavior, which other animals also show, the cat not only integrates its own species but also its humans and sometimes even the dog. Cleaning serves less to clean than to regularly confirm the firm bond. The cat is concerned with the well-being of group members, as well as renewing and spreading the familiar scent throughout the territory. The regular ritual is often accompanied by a pleasant purr.
Why do cats seek out the proximity of people who don’t pay attention to them?
It often seems counterintuitive that a cat in a larger group would turn out lovingly to the person who shows the least interest in them. Behavioral scientists interpret this strange preference as a misinterpretation of human behavior. All people who are interested in the appearance of the cat look her straight in the eyes in order to establish contact with her. In cat language, however, this direct look is a threatening gesture. And so the cat turns to the person who turns away to avoid contact with her.
Why do cats coo or babble or chatter their teeth?
Cats use sounds primarily for contact with humans and for communication when raising their young. When in contact with adult conspecifics, cat language consists of gestures and scent signals. The variety of tones that a cat uses towards us is all the more astonishing. In addition to the familiar purrs and hisses, cat speech also includes much less familiar sounds. A cat’s coo, for example, is a form of greeting from familiar people. But it can also be used as a prompt to play or to feed. But even if the cat is woken up, it may coo to indicate that it would like to continue sleeping undisturbed. When she cackles or chatters her teeth, that means the greatest excitement in her language: Prey is insight. The cat has discovered a mouse in the garden or an insect on the window. It is known from the behavior of wild cats that the animals practice precise biting shortly before catching their prey. Even if our house cat is no longer dependent on hunting success, it has retained this original behavior.
Why do some cats scratch at their food bowl?
You can always discover unusual things in your cat’s behavior. Many cats scratch around the food bowl on the ground after eating. It doesn’t matter that their scratching through the solid ground has no effect at all. Some animals also try to cover the bowl with objects lying around. This instinctive feline behavior dates back to life in the wild. Here it made sense to cover the remnants of the loot so as not to attract the attention of competitors or enemies. This caution is appropriate in the wild. At home, you have to smile about the completely futile efforts not to leave any traces.
What bothers cats on closed doors?
Every cat owner knows that. The cat desperately wants to leave the room. You open the door for her. As soon as she is outside, she wants to go back into the room. Even if it seems that way, this is not the moodiness of a little diva, but completely normal cat behavior. A good cat needs to know what’s going on in every part of its territory at all times. If doors block the free view of the rest of the environment, then regular checks must be made to ensure that everything is still in order behind the door. Something could have happened at the moment that requires the cat to intervene immediately.
All statements are without guarantee.