Every day, your cat shares body language signs and body postures that reveal what’s going on with them. You can tell Kitty’s happy when she purrs or rubs against your legs. You can definitely tell she’s NOT happy when she gives you a little swipe with her claws! But there’s a whole vocabulary of cat body language in between to provide a full story on how she feels about everything from you to that new dog down the street. Love, Nala makes healthy food for cats, and we offer this complete guide to cat behavior.
Understanding Cat Behavior Basics
Like their feline counterparts in the jungle, house cats are territorial and run on highly tuned instincts. It’s known that they’re not fond of changes to their routine, so house guests, a new baby, or a move can temporarily throw them off.
The overall behavior of your cat will be influenced by its breed. Persian cats, for example, tend to be more dominant than your basic American shorthair. How well a cat has been socialized early on will influence how shy or outgoing it is around people or other pets. Some cats need a quiet home, others love the activity of children or other “busyness” around them. And of course, the state of their health will be reflected in their behavior.
As you live with your cat, you come to know how they act on a daily basis. And you likely notice when something seems “off.” You’re the best predictor of when your cat seems unhappy or not feeling their best. Other forms of cat behavior can reveal a more detailed explanation and help address it, strengthening the bond between you.
Common Cat Behaviors Explained
A cat is a deliciously complex creature, with a whole vocabulary all their own. Cat body language can range from adorably sweet to terrifying. By cracking the code of cat body language and cat behavior, you’ll be able to read them like the fascinating book they are. These are the most common ways they tell their story.
Kneading
When a cat makes “biscuits,” or kneads on their owner, it’s a sign of affection and comfort. Kneading stems from kittenhood, when they would knead while nursing to access their mother’s milk. If they knead on a soft surface like a blanket, it’s a way for them to relax and comfort themselves.
Purring
Cats purr to show contentment or to get attention from their owner. Purring can also be a form of self-soothing or healing; the low-frequency vibration is believed to help with pain relief.
Meowing
A cat meows as a friendly greeting, to let the owner know they need something, or to signal anxiety or distress. As cats age, meowing may become more frequent, especially at night. This may be a signal of mental decline or changes to their vision or hearing.
Scratching
A cat’s paws are a connection to the world. They scratch to maintain their claws, to stretch, or to mark territory with the pheromones from their paw pads. They may also scratch during play to show that they’re bored and to gain some mental stimulation
Zoomies
Cat behavior often includes the “zoomies.” This frantic running may merely be a way for them to burn off excess energy. It also mimics their hunting behaviors, especially when done at night. Sometimes, a cat makes zoomies if they’ve had some catnip or if they’ve been in conflict with another cat.
Hiding
Hiding can be a stress reaction, as they hunker down to get away from noise, new people, or a disturbance in the home (like a move). It’s a way for the cat to survey what’s going on in a safe space. Hiding also mimics hunting behaviors, as they can stalk their prey without being seen. Hiding also offers a cat a safe space to rest and relax.
If your cat is hiding more than usual, it may be a sign that they’re not feeling well. Check with your veterinarian.
Interpreting Cat Body Language
“Ears, eyes, and tails.” These three words sum up essential cat body language. A happy cat will show relaxed ears and eyes, and a perky tail. A fearful cat may be pressed close to the floor, ears flattened (“airplane ears”), eyes wide, and tail twitching. Here are more details on the most common cat behaviors and body postures.
Tail Positions
- Upright: happy/confident
A happy cat shows it by carrying their tail upright. It demonstrates confidence. If there’s a curled tip at the end, that shows happiness and curiosity.
- Twitching: annoyed/agitated.
A cat with a twitching tail can signify a few different things. In general, it means alertness and focus. A slow, relaxed twitch indicates contentment. Twitching that’s more rapid means the cat is annoyed or becoming aggressive.
- Puffed: scared or defensive.
A fearful cat “puffs up” when it feels threatened as a way to appear larger. They typically arch their back as well and turn sideways to take up more space.
Ears
- Forward: interested or relaxed.
When it comes to cat body language, ears that are positioned forward show that they’re relaxed. If ears are a bit more upright, they’re interested in something.
- Backward or flattened: angry, scared, or anxious.
Described as “airplane ears,” a fearful cat shows that it’s mad, nervous, or frightened by flattening their ears.
Eyes
- Slow blinking: affection/trust.
A contented and happy cat shows it with relaxed pupils and a slow blink. The owner can reciprocate by doing a slow blink back. It’s basically telling your cat, “I love you.”
- Wide pupils: excitement or fear.
An overly excited or fearful cat indicates it by showing wide pupils. The wide pupils allow them to take in more information.
Posture
- Arched back: defensive.
When it comes to a cat’s body posture, the arched back is often a defensive pose, especially when their fur and tail are puffed up. It’s designed to make them look bigger.
- Crouching: submissive or fearful.
Crouching down as far as possible shows fear and submission. Your cat is basically trying to make themselves as unobtrusive as possible.
- Belly exposed: trust or defensive trap.
When your cat rolls over and offers an invitation for a belly rub, there’s nothing cuter. By exposing their belly, they’re demonstrating complete trust in you. Of course, they sometimes use the belly rub as a cute trap, wrapping their paws around your hand for a little nibble.
Cat Behavior by Life Stage
Just like humans, cat behavior changes during each stage of their life. From playful kittenhood to senior cats who have slowed down and may be affected by health conditions, here’s what to expect as your cat grows.
Kittens
Kittens are playful and curious. They’re eager to hone their hunting behaviors. After they’re weaned, they will often knead for comfort. They use scratch to mark their territory (help them by using scratching posts to save your furniture). And you can expect cute, playful sideways hops as they try to terrorize you with their tiny fierceness.
Adult cats
A happy adult cat will sleep about 12-20 hours a day. They may feel the need to engage in zoomies or climbing to unload excess energy. They still enjoy playing, so give them plenty of stimulation and toys. And they will often cuddle up with you to purr or knead against you. Keep them healthy with Love, Nala’s adult wet cat food.
Senior cats
As your cat ages, they may grow more unsure. This can mean more hiding and meowing (especially at night). While they’ve slowed down physically, they still need stimulation, so provide them with gentle play and interaction. Our grain-free pate cat food is great for tempting their changing taste buds.
How to Read Your Cat's Body Language
Reading your cat’s body language is so rewarding and will bring you closer to your beloved pet. Remember the mantra for cat owners: “eyes, ears, and tails.” Taking a moment to carefully observe these features, then consider what’s going on around them will help you “crack the code.”
For your cat, knowing that you’re invested in every aspect of their well-being and happiness is something they understand. Better communication through your cat’s body language is worth pursuing!
Conclusion
Your cat’s body language is an important means of communication between the two of you. By observing your cat mindfully, you’ll be in a better position to catch any issues (especially physical or emotional ones) early on and address them proactively.
By paying attention to the little signs that your cat sends you every day – from a tail twitch to a purr – you’ll deepen and greatly enrich your relationship.
