22/06/2022
Interpret cat language and cues
The words and nonverbal messages of cats sometimes confuse viewers. For centuries, cats were considered mysterious, lonely, and unpredictable creatures, perhaps because it was difficult for humans to understand what they were saying. While humans mainly rely on speech to communicate, cats mainly communicate using silent language. Cats speak with a complex combination of body language, voice, and scent. Learn to recognize the basics of cat language and find the most common combinations to understand what cats are saying to you and the other pets in your household.
With practice, you'll soon become such an expert in cat language that you might even be able to answer!
01_ Meow, growl and more
Cats use voice to express emotions. Meows, growls, hisses, growls and more are part of the cat repertoire, each with a specific meaning depending on the context. While adult cats usually don't meow to each other, domestic cats have learned to meow to people. Some scientists think that this is a manipulative behavior that cats use to get what they want from their owners.
02 _Talking ears
Cats also express emotions with their ears, as well as intentions. Ears facing forward show interest. In general, the further back a cat's ears are, the more agitated or distressed the cat will be. Folding, hissing, or rustling ears are a surefire sign that your cat feels threatened or doesn't like what you're doing.
03 _Speak with your eyes
Cats communicate by eyelids - how open or closed - as well as pupil dilation (the black part of the eye). Sudden dilation (dilation) occurs due to sudden excitement, which can be caused by fear, interest, or any other strong emotion. Wide eyes indicate trust, while narrowed eyes can signal fear or aggression. If your cat has droopy, sleepy eyelids, this is a sign that they are comfortable and trusting. Try blinking slowly and see if your cat blinks back, showing a "cat kiss" of love. But if your cat looks at another cat without blinking, it's a sign of dominance or aggression.
04 _Talking tails
A cat's tail signals interest, affection, stimulation, and more. Tail height, like movement, is important. Cats lift their tails when they want to be approached; This is an indication that communication is welcome. Tail wagging or wagging is often a signal to keep your distance. A wagging tail can be a sign of play or that the cat is upset. If the tail feathers are stiff, this indicates a defensive reaction. When a cat is held high and ruffled, it is ready to fight. When the cat was squeezed between her legs, she panicked.
05 _Hairy talk
The cat's healthy, calm coat lays flat on the body. Cats know how to groom themselves, which means the condition of their coat can say a lot about an animal's health. A shaggy coat can indicate poor health and should not be ignored, especially if accompanied by other symptoms such as lethargy or vomiting.2 But unexpectedly shaggy coats, including the bottle-brushed tail, give see fear or aggression. It is best to stay away from a cat that exhibits such a reaction.
06 _Smells and smells
Humans can't always detect or interpret the scents cats use to communicate. Among the olfactory tools, however, cats use strong urine and f***s markers, body rubbing (body rubbing), and scratching to leave scent messages read by other cats . Cats are territorial, and the scent they leave behind is clearly meant to convey a message. that "this territory is mine" to potential violators. Their sense of smell is so strong that even very young kittens have to smell scents before they can see clearly.
07 _Talking about the body
A cat's general posture indicates everything from confidence to fear or submission. To fully understand the message, body speech must be read in conjunction with what the eyes, ears, tail, feathers, and voice represent.
A relaxed and happy cat should have slightly forward ears, relaxed eyes, and forward whiskers. The more you pay attention to your cat, the easier it will be to read their body language and learn what they want to tell you.
