Tag: Cat Body Language

Posted on by equigroomerllc

Your feline expresses itself through more than just
purring or meowing. They also communicate
with ear and scent signals.

Our feline friends communicate to their world through meows, purrs and meows (vocalizations) and even tail/body language! In our May 9th blog, we explored these familiar forms of kitty language to help cat parents better understand their furry companions.

In today’s blog post, we’re going to explore the last two forms of feline communication, ears and scent signals. Below, learn how to decipher these two common ways your cat expresses itself!

Refer to Lili Chin’s Cat Language Poster to Learn More!

Cats Have 32 Muscles in Each Ear
Cats have 32 Muscles in Each Ear

Cat Language: The Ears

Body language is a huge component of how animals (and humans) communicate with each other and their world at large. According to The Spruce Pets, “ears are a kitty barometer that can help owners anticipate and avoid potential problems.”

Previously, we deciphered how the feline tail communicates specific messages and moods, but there’s more.

Felines also communicate by using the 32 muscles in each ear (compared to only six muscles in each of our ears). So, with all this muscle power, what are your cat’s ears conveying?

  • The ears of a relaxed kitty will be in their natural and neutral posture. They may twitch in response to a noise.
  • A playful cat will have their ears in an upright position. They look alert with their ears pointing forward. This position indicates interest or curiosity from the cat.
Cat Laying in Green Grass with Flattened Ears to the side
Cat Laying in Grass with Ears Flattened and Pointing Sideways
  • Ears that move quickly back and forth are all signs of a highly aroused cat that may be:
    • Scared.
    • Worried.
    • Agitated.
  • Their ears may also be:
    • Down and pointed sideways (exhibiting uneasiness or feeling threatened), i.e., “airplane ears/wings” or
    • Flat against their head (the cat is fearful or angry).

Health Pets: 30 Ways Your Cat Speaks to You

Black and White Cat Rubbing Scent Against a Wall
Black and White Cat Rubbing Against a Wall

Feline Language: Scent Signals

If you’ve ever owned a cat, you know scent-marking is a common form of feline expression. The Cat Behavior Associates explains your cat’s scent as their “calling card,” leaving behind volumes of kitty information. (Dogs have the same natural form of communication.)

Unlike canines, cats have a variety of scent glands, including their:

  • Cheeks, Lips and Forehead (called head bunting by feline experts).
    • Low-intensity, friendly, calming, affectionate and inclusive, reflecting security and familiarity.
  • Paw Pads:
    • Used for scent marking along with physical claw marks.
  • Anal Glands, Flanks, Tail & Urine
    • High-intensity scent-marking under stress or arousal.

Scent Signals = Cat Language

The scent glands contain – and release – chemicals called pheromones which contain vital information for another cat or animal. Let’s look at why cats use scent signals.

Feline scent signals are used to:

  • Identify other colony members.
  • Define/mark their territory.
  • Define reproductive status.
  • Soothe themselves.
  • Bond.
  • Act as subtle aggression to warn other cats away from their territory.

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about cat language! Feel free to comment below and be sure to subscribe
to our bi-monthly blog posts in the right-hand column!

Black Cat Looking up into the Camera
Black Cat Looking Up into the Camera

Feline Head Bunting

Head bunting by your cat is an open invitation for your affection and interaction! EquiGroomer tools are the perfect answer to nurturing the bond with your cat!

We guarantee your dog, cat, horse, other pets or livestock, will LOVE the EquiGroomer Grooming Tools!

For individual or bulk orders, call 860-573-0604
or click here to send an email.

Posted on by equigroomerllc

Your feline expresses itself through more than just
purring or meowing.
Keep reading to learn how to understand your cat!

Cat speak involves vocalizations, body postures (including tail and ear signals) and scent signals. Some cats even love and reciprocate “cat smiles” from their humans! But cat vocalizations or sounds (with feral and domestic felines) can be harder to decipher.

But what do they all mean?

Cat Language: Vocalizations

Chartreux Cat Looking at the Camera
A Large Chartreux Cat with Golden Eyes

Our feline friends love to express themselves through well-known meows and purrs. But not all cats are vocal. For example, the Blue Chartreux and Persian breeds tend to be more quiet than vocal. On the other paw, Siamese cats are known to be very vocal!

So, what are they trying to say?

Excessive meowing may be:

  • Attention-seeking demands like “play with me” or “feed me!” Be careful giving into these demands! If you do, your cat has effectively trained YOU!
  • Due to pain, disease or health issues.
  • Expressed by a deaf cat.
  • Vocalized by an old cat suffering from feline dementia.
  • From stressed cats with separation anxiety (yowls or whining).
  • Territorial or signaling conflict.
  • A genetic characteristic in some breeds.

Some cat vocalizations can be so subtle at a higher frequency that only other cats can hear them!

An angry and crouched low cat hissing
Hissing Cat Crouched Low

It’s also important to understand your cat’s body language to effectively translate all the cues your cat is displaying and help prevent potential problems!

Cat Body Language

Just like their canine friends, felines have a sophisticated system of communication through body language cues. Next, let’s take a closer look at how felines communicate through tail signals.

Refer to Lili Chin’s Cat Language Poster to Learn More!

Cat Language with Tail Signals

Even if you understand a dog’s tail language, cats communicate in a very different way with their tails.

Tabby Cat with Tail High in the Air
A High Cat Tail Indicates Friendliness and Interest

Kitty tail language includes:

  • A tail held straight up is the kitty’s way of saying “hello!” (The opposite with a dog.)
    • They are welcoming attention (the higher the tail the better) and interaction (with the end of the tail tipped over).
    • WARNING: If the tail has bristled and is upright or straight behind the cat, watch out for a potentially aggressive attack!
  • A cat’s tail curved down and back up in a gentle U-shape indicates a relaxed feline.
  • A “wagging” feline tail is signaling to back off (again, the opposite of a wagging dog tail).
  • When the cat’s tip of the tail flicks back and forth, it should be perceived as frustration or heightened excitement, fear or aggression. If ignored, the cat will escalate to:
    • Thumping the ground with her tail or lashing the tail. Kitty is getting ready to attack!
A Hissing Cat with lowered ears
Hissing Cat with Ears Pinned Back

Finally, when a cat tucks their tail between its legs it is from a high level of fear (this is similar to a dog). It will usually be accompanied by lots of hissing, growling and the ears pinned back against the head. If the cat suddenly turns onto her back, do NOT mistake this for “submission;” cats don’t “do” submission. They are getting ready to attack with all paws engaged!

As we mentioned, cats also communicate with their ear and scent signals. These two forms of feline communication will be covered in our next blog, so be sure to subscribe to our bi-monthly blog posts!

Tabby Cat Peeking Around the Corner
A Curious Tabby Cat Peeking around the corner
Black and White Ragdoll cat getting brushed
Brushing a Ragdoll Cat with an EquiGroomer

Does Your Cat Excessively Meow?

They may be stressed or anxious.

Our EquiGroomer tools can help calm the most finicky cat!

We guarantee your dog, cat, horse, other pets or even livestock will LOVE the EquiGroomer Grooming Tools!

For individual or bulk orders, call 860-573-0604 or click here to send us an email!

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