How to Decode Your Cat's Behavior
How to Communicate With Your Cat
Just because you and your cat speak different languages, doesn't mean you can't successfully communicate with each other! Humans and their pet cats can share a special and complex bond, and your pet cat is able to communicate his or her needs to you using certain physical cues. The look in your cat's eyes, their body language, and their vocalizations all contain vital information—as long as you know what they mean.
Understanding Cat Body Language
Cats are versatile creatures, and they have a lot of different movements! Nevertheless, there are some actions that house cats are liable to do when they're around you. Although it may not seem like it, they are using their body to tell you something! Here are some of the most common phrases in the feline language.
Rolling on the Floor
If your kitty is rolling back and forth on the floor, she is either submitting to you or inviting you to play. If it's the latter, you shouldn't miss it for anything in the world! However, your cat won't want to play for too long before getting upset and turning your fingers into snack food.
Squinty Eyes
Cats squint when they are happy. If they close their eyes slowly while looking, that shows that they trust you. Do not break their trust.
Sticking a Raised Back in Your Face
Your cat finds tail-sniffing normal, so even if it's not your cup of tea, it's your cat’s version of a warm "hello."
Sleeping While Curled Up
Cats curl themselves up into little balls when they sleep so that they produce and maintain enough body heat to feel warm while they're sleeping.
Kneading
Cats would make great bakers since they seem to love alternately pressing their paws against a soft object—usually you! Behaviorists believe this is a leftover trait from when they were kittens, as the kneading would help their mothers produce milk.
Why Do Cats Loaf or Tuck Their Paws Under Them?
Your cat might often tuck their paws under their stomach, making them look like a cuddly and cute loaf of bread. But besides looking cute, what does it mean? Cats do this when they are feeling safe and comfortable—if they're sitting like this, they probably think that they don't need to use their claws anytime soon! They also sit in such a way to conserve body heat. If you see your cat sitting like a loaf, it is definitely a good sign!
“Generally speaking, a cat who is lying with their paws tucked underneath them is considered relaxed. They aren’t preparing to defend themselves or run away.”
— Mikel Delgado, Postdoctoral Fellow at the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC DavisThe Cat Loaf Position, Also Known as the Kitty Loaf
Other Cat Sitting Positions and Behaviors
Behavior
| Explanation
| How to Act
|
|---|---|---|
Laying Down With One Paw Out
| It may look as though your cat is doing yoga or stretching herself out a bit, but in fact, this position makes it easier for cats to clean themselves up.
| Let your cat clean themselves! Hygiene is important.
|
Exposing Their Belly
| This is pretty similar to dogs and is one of the most important and definitive signs of trust.
| You can rub your cats belly, but don't be surprised if they pounce on you after a while.
|
Staring Into Space
| Do not think your cat just went mad. Cats have great vision and are aware of things that we aren't. It may be staring at a fly you can not see. Either way, they did not just go mad.
| Leave your cat alone. They're focused.
|
Hugging and Biting You
| It's just a game. Your cat loves play wrestling, even when it plugs its sharp teeth into your easily punctured flesh.
| Engage your cat and let them play! It doesn't hurt that much.
|
Chattering at Animals
| This is a hunting reflex that cats have maintained throughout evolution. It's a sign of excitement at the chance of being able to hunt, but it can be a sign of frustration at not being able to catch their pray. Cats especially do this at birds.
| It's not the best time to snuggle your cat right now—they might confused you for a bird!
|
Snuggling Up to Your Computer
| Cats want warm places, and your computer emits a lot of heat and energy. Even more, however, cats love to get on your nerves and annoy you. See, cats own you—not the other way round.
| Let your cat hang around—they just want to get warm, after all! If they're distracting you, gently pick them up and place them in a warm spot nearby.
|
Quivering Their Butt
| This happens when cats are stretching and also as a form of "greeting"; however, it can occasionally be a sign that your cat is trying to portray dominance and spay their scent on their territory.
| If your cat is neutered, you don't have to worry about spaying. Let your cat say hello!
|
Cat Tail Language
In addition to looking at your cat's ears, mouth, nose, and body movement for indicators of how your cat is doing, you can tell a lot about how they are feeling by the movement of their tail. If it's held high, it means it's happy, and if it's low it means that it's ready to pounce, so it's important to know what their tail means—it might be a sign that you should move out of the way!
Tail Movement
| Meaning
| How to Act
|
|---|---|---|
High Tail
| When a cat holds her tail high as she moves around her territory, she communicates confidence and contentment. She is expressing happiness and is willing to be friendly with other people in her space. A little twitch at the tip of the tail can mean that the cat is particularly happy.
| Play with your cat! They're in a good mood and it's time to take advantage.
|
Curved Like a Question Mark
| Maybe you should rearrange your schedule for the day so that you can stay in and play with your cat. This position indicates that the cat is playful and ready to have fun with you.
| Offer your hand out and invite your kitty to play.
|
Low Tail
| A tail held low can signal aggression and should be taken very seriously—your cat might be ready to pounce! That is, unless your cat is Persian, as they keep their tail in a low position all the time.
| Figure out what's bothering your cat and try to solve the problem. It's not the best idea to play with your cat at this time.
|
Tucked Away
| A tail that is curved beneath the body signals submission or fear. Something is not right and is making the cat nervous.
| Wait for your cat to come to you; they might be feeling overwhelmed.
|
Puffed Up
| If your cat is puffed up, he or she is likely really agitated and frightened. Your cat is trying to look bigger in order to ward off danger.
| Don't try to play with your cat. Leave them alone and try to figure out what it is that's bothering them.
|
Whipping Around
| A cat who slaps her tail rapidly back and forth is communicating fear and aggression.
| Walk away...it's not a good idea to play or cuddle with your cat right now.
|
Swishing Tail
| When your cat's tail sways slowly from one side to the other, she is focused on something. You might see it when she is about to be fed.
| Let your cat eat, play with the toy, or do whatever it is they're so focused on. No use trying to break their attention
|
Why Do Cats Sleep on Your Feet?
If they can, cat's will often try to sleep next to their owners. This isn't because they want to maul you in their sleep—far from it. It is actually a sign of trust and protection! Your cat wants to relax and be near you, but not necessarily on you. Staying by your feet means that they can easily leave if they get bored or sick of you.
And if your cat likes to only sleep next to your feet, and not next to the feet of anyone else in your family? Well, lucky you. You're your cat's favorite.
Why Does My Cat Hide From Me?
Cats are pretty good at hiding. And though it's easy to say that they just love playing hide and seek, there are a variety of reasons your cat might be trying to stay out of sight.
Though cats are predators, they are usually non-confrontational—when they see something threatening, they are more likely to run and hide rather than stay back and fight; hence the term "scaredy cat." Check to see if there's something around that might be scaring your cat—this could be another animal, a child, or even you!
In addition, if you've changed something about your home—maybe someone new moved it, or you've got a brand new furniture set—this can cause your cat stress and cause them to hide. Cats like to stick to a routine, so it's important to be especially in tune to your cat's needs when something about their environment has changed.
Why does my cat hide in a box?
A box, a drawer, a suitcase lying around—cats are known to want to sit in the most random locations. Boxes and otherwise enclosed spaces are comforting to cats; it helps them relax and also protects them from predators. If your cat is stressed, they might also try to find a bag or box to sit in to help ease their anxiety.
Questions & Answers
My cat is non stop meowing. Why is that?
Maybe you should take the cat to a vet?
Helpful 29My cat is usually a quiet cat but my cat well meow every time he sees me, why?
He likes you and he’s asking for attention.
Helpful 21Sometimes my cat will stick his tongue out. It's sometimes when sleeping or even after he gets done playing. Is this a sign of comfort or happiness?
I think it's a sign of being relaxed, almost like when we yawn.
Helpful 4Why does my boyfriend's cat lay at my feet?
The cat probably likes you more than she/he likes your boyfriend.
Helpful 3My two kittens like to suck on the buttons of my shirts, and immediately fall asleep on my chest. Why do they like to do that?
Maybe they perceive the buttons as the mothers’ breast.
Helpful 1
Comments
AUTHORI guess that was just how she reacted to happiness. People also do cover up their face when they laugh, or may have a non-typical reaction to happiness.
The broken tail? Maybe born with it, maybe she hurt it somewhere before you got her.
my old cat used to scrunch up her face when she was happy it was cute but i don't get why she did it entirely? she also had a broken tail but could still move around not sure if she was born with it.
- AUTHOR
go to a vet.
I have female cat from yesterday she is stretching herself full and touching her belly on ground and keeping her butt in air and pathing both her legs on ground and making painfull sound
I guess I'm getting too old I wish my babies were saved babies however I'm speaking to YouTube line I'm not one to lie to text however I just wish my babies was stay babies I have to one's named Sam and the next Tiger he's the one that really Foles is legs for some reason I'm not sure that's why I question however Samuel he's very fluffy he's so handsome he's so soft even when I bathe them he loves water however tiger he really doesn't like water it really frustrates me because I always had them since they were babies a week old and I don't think it will be a different I treat them equally what love but because I work later hours I work over 60 hours at times so I had one of my friends too open the door for them weather it's raining 4 top always keep the AC on even if I'm working I'll worry about them but I just remember they have open door to come in or out so maybe it's me I don't feel happy because they are my babies so sad they're growing up when I'm not there to be real mommy to them so my babies are growing up good night I'm sorry I'm just crying sorry please love your pets
My cat will be 5 next month she has started to stare at me and meows really loud and puts her paw on my arm usually when someone is here I figured she is jealous she gets attention a lot from me and others
My older cat has been sleeping a lot and I'm worried he is getting to the end of his life, am I crazy and paranoid or should I look into it with my vet?
enjoyable lens to read, Great hub.
I took in a stray cat this morning, so I'm a little Leary about why she's layi g on her side & slowly curling her paws in & out?
The cats are so cute!
when my ragdoll cat uses the litter she will sometimes run through the house like the devil himself was chasing her. Why?
HELP!! my cat is eating plastic or whatever he find on the floor and then he start to vomit, he knows he is doing something wrong but WHY?
This helps.
- AUTHOR
Ever considered or went at the vet?
Great info, thank you! Question though- we have two cats and one trills and meows most of the night. I know he is not hungry...would you have an idea why and what we can do to either stop or reduce this? Thanks again :)
- AUTHOR
No, it's just the law of physics working: inertia :)
thanks, this explains a lot! I just have one question: when my cat jumps up onto his cat post he sometimes bonks his head on the wall because he jumps too far. He doesn't always do this, but does it every once in a while. Should I worry?
- AUTHOR
Well, you know how kids pretend to cry? It means: they are not really sad, or they don't feel like crying, but they do want to get something or catch your attention. So they choose to cry, even though it is a fake crying!
The same idea goes for cats. You're welcome.
Pretend to yawn?! Your kidding me right?!!! LOL.
- AUTHOR
They won't to be taken care of, maybe a little massage or food.
Why do they meow repetitively at your feet?
I have a cat that is very vocal. She will come and sit in front of us and cry but we cannot figure out what she wants. Sometimes she just walks around the house crying. She has been extremely vocal since a babe.
- AUTHOR
They want you to scratch their stomach. They absolutely love it! So it seems to me your kitty just wants to get pampered, a lot! :D
I love this article, good information for every cat owner! I heard that when cats headbut you and arch their back they are either happy or if the do it a lot they are asking for something? My kitty does this constantly, but she has everything she needs... how can I help her? Is she just happy? :)
- AUTHOR
Thank you for reading and commenting. Now, regarding to your cat behavior, either she does not have enough power to jump to the point she wants to [she wants to play around I guess], or in the worst case scenario, she has brain damage. You would want to check your cat up if you find her sitting in front of a wall, staring at the wall, or just banging her head into it.
What a great hub! This explains my cats, twofold. Now can you explain why one of my cats climb and bang on a closet? Or join me on my chair by jumping to the back of it?
- AUTHOR
Thank you :)
Wonderful kitten pictures. Thank you.
- AUTHOR
What do you mean?
This was excellent. Have been unable to find answer to many questions this articl addressed
- AUTHOR
pretend to yawn? I do not think they pretend, yawn is a natural thing that you can not stop. They yawn because of stretching after they wake up, or when they are about to sleep.
why does she PRETEND to yawn?
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