How to Read Your Cat’s Body Language and Sounds

Cats say a lot, but quietly. Learn to read the tail, ears, eyes and voice, and you'll know when your cat is happy, nervous or in pain.

Tail

• Held up, loose, tip slightly curled: relaxed and friendly. Many cats greet you this way.
• Puffed up: frightened or feeling threatened.
• Low or tucked close to the body: fearful or anxious.
• Slow swishing: focused, often just before a pounce.
• Thrashing from side to side: annoyed. Give the cat space.
• Wrapped around your leg: a friendly greeting.

Look at the whole cat, not the tail alone.

Ears

• Upright and forward: relaxed and interested. Ears that turn toward sounds mean the cat is listening.
• Sideways or flat ("airplane ears"): nervous, irritated or scared.
• Pressed flat against the head: fear or defence. Back away.

Eyes

• Slow blink: a friendly greeting. Blink slowly back. A 2020 study found that cats were more likely to approach a hand held out by someone who had slow-blinked at them first.
• Wide pupils: can mean fear, stress or excitement, but also dim light or play. Check the rest of the body.
• Staring: can feel like a challenge to a cat, especially an unfamiliar one. Look away or blink instead.

Posture

• Relaxed: loose body, relaxed tail, ears forward, half-closed eyes. Purring often goes with it.
• Frightened: sideways to you with an arched back, puffed fur and flattened ears, often hissing.
• Scared and anxious: crouched low and slinking.

Sounds

Meowing. Adult cats rarely meow at each other. They use it mostly with people, and each cat learns what gets a response. Some breeds, such as Siamese and Oriental cats, are more talkative. A cat that suddenly meows far more than usual, or in a different tone, needs a vet check.

Purring. Cats purr when content, and kittens purr to their mother from their first days. They also purr when stressed, ill or hurt, so look at the body language as well. A cat that purrs a lot and then stops, or hides, may be unwell.

Chirping and chattering. You'll often hear these when a cat watches birds or insects through a window.

Hissing, spitting and growling. These are clear warnings: stay away. Respect them and don't punish the cat.

Yowling. Unneutered cats yowl when they want to mate. In older cats, yowling, especially at night, can come from confusion (cognitive dysfunction), an overactive thyroid, high blood pressure or pain. Book a vet visit.

Behaviour

• Kneading: a habit from nursing as a kitten. It usually means contentment.
• Rubbing and head-butting: the cat is leaving its scent on you. It's a friendly, social behaviour.
• Scratching: cats do it to keep nails in shape, stretch, and leave visual and scent marks. Give them a sturdy scratching post so they have a better place than the sofa.
• Licking you: cats lick cats they're close to, so it is generally a sign of trust.
• Bringing you prey: instinct. Scolding doesn't help. Dispose of it calmly.

When something changes

A change in how your cat communicates is often the first sign of a health problem. Take it seriously if your cat:

• Starts hiding, or stops greeting you
• Meows or yowls much more than before
• Becomes aggressive without a clear reason
• Stops using the litter tray or grooming itself

Cats hide pain well, so a vet should rule out illness before you assume it's behaviour. Our veterinary team can examine your cat and, if needed, refer you to a behaviour specialist. To book, contact us.

Learning your own cat

Every cat is different. Watch yours in different situations, note what comes before a swish of the tail or a hiss, and let your cat set the pace. If you respond the same way each time, your cat learns what works.