Learning the language of your feline friends

Back when I was a “dog person,” I used to think cats were aloof and devoid of any outward signs of emotion. That was before Puppy Cat and Zebo entered my life, and I became an equal opportunity animal lover. Those two little felines are incredibly affectionate and expressive. I simply had to learn their language.

Vocalizations

Nothing is more soothing than the sound of a cat purring contentedly in your lap. But did you know that a purr can also signal distress? Additionally, studies have shown the low vibrational frequency of a cat’s purr actually promotes healing. That old wives’ tale about a cat having nine lives is not so far-fetched, after all.

What about meowing? According to the ASPCA, cats alter their meows to suit different purposes from “I’m hungry!” to “What did you say?” A cat studying birds through a window may chatter or chirp. Then there’s the friendly “chirrup” greeting and the hiss caused by an unpleasant surprise. Finally, many domesticated cats adopt distinctive vocalizations used to communicate in particular contexts.

The Face

A cat’s eyes are fascinating. When her pupils are tiny slits, she is probably relaxed, but it could mean she has spotted a predator. Dilated pupils in bright light can indicate pain, a fight-or-flight mentality or simple excitement. Keep in mind that prolonged eye contact can seem threatening to a feline, but an exchange of slow blinks with your cat signals trust and comfort.

Watch the ears, too. If a cat’s ears are facing forward but tilted slightly back, she is relaxed. An anxious cat’s ears move slightly back and flatten. The more anxious or fearful the cat, the lower and flatter the ears until they are lying backwards, flat to the skull. If the cat is fearful but aggressive, the ears flatten sideways — a combination of the forward-pointing “alert” ears and the flattened/lowered “fearful” ears.

The Tail

A cat’s tail reveals a great deal about her frame of mind. Veterinarian Nicholas Dodman’s summary of cat tail movements and positions:

—Tucked: fearful, defensive

—Held at half-mast and moving slowly side to side: mild interest

—Vertical or straight up: anticipation and/or greeting

—Vertical and quivering: enthusiastic greeting, very happy

—Vertical but curved to one side: playfulness

—Curved over back: expectation/monitoring

—Low with tip twitching: a stalking, predatory stance

—Frantically switching in wide arcs: heightened affect/aggression

—Puffed up (“bottle brush”): fear and aggression

More Body Language

When I meet a new feline arrival at the animal shelter, I hold out a steady hand, talk in a low, gentle voice, and avoid eye contact. If I can get the cat to “bunt” my hand with her head, I know we’ll become fast friends. When a cat rubs her head, chin or body against a person, it signals a friendly greeting as she marks you as “hers” with her scent.

“Kneading” is another delightful practice of a happy cat. Dodman explains that when a kitten is nursing, she typically kneads her paws against her mother as a sign of contentment and to encourage milk flow. When the cat matures, kneading usually indicates that she feels safe and happy. Zebo gets a far-away, blissful look whenever she rhythmically works her paws on me.

Puppy Cat often greets me by flopping on her back and exposing her tummy. According to experts, this is the ultimate compliment: she is showing that she trusts me. As cute as that little striped belly is though, I know better than to pet it for long. She’ll nip my hand if things start getting too mushy for her.

Putting it all together

A cat’s body provides many cues simultaneously in order to convey a message. With careful observation, however, you can learn this complex language. I think you’ll find your furry friend has plenty to say!